Last evening while facilitating a Self-Care workshop, we sat back to back with a partner, and contemplated a particular question. We took time to listen with our full attention, first to our own heart and then to our partners.
Although this practice took only about 5 minutes, I felt like I made a connection with my partner that I will never forget. It reminded me again how much we all want to see and be seen, to reveal the deepest and often hidden parts of ourselves and have them received by another. I saw myself in what she shared and knew we were the same, not different. I felt so honored by this young women who was willing to reveal these tender parts of herself.
I know it takes courage and trust to reveal these deeper parts of ourselves – and I also know the liberation that comes from taking the risk to do so. I recently had a very powerful and life changing experience with this myself. I was asked to participant in a theatrical production entitled ‘Anima: Theater of The Feminine Underground’. I worked for months to condense my life story into a 3min soliloquy, entitled ‘The Wound Becomes The Gift’. Although it still feels very vulnerable to share, you can view it here.
I went through a profound process of forgiveness while writing this. I knew that I would never be able to reveal my story to others unless I was able to fully trust that ‘this life I’ve lived has all been for love.’ In the process I saw how I had to first be willing to be truly vulnerable with myself and to trust my experience, no matter how emotionally intense it felt. I also realize I would not have had the courage to move through process without the love and support of others.
I now see more clearly then ever that when we are willing to share our vulnerability, we bring what is hidden into the light, and our lives change. We become more of who we really are – which is what we are here to do, be and share who we really are.
I am reminded of these words by J.C. that I never forgot since the first time I heard them many years ago-
”If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”
To me this speaks to the importance of discovering and revealing the deepest parts of our being. This to me is the greatest gift of Partner Yoga. We come to know ourselves through each other, through courageously revealing what we discover. The result is joy, the deep joy of our true nature, beyond our personalities.
I continue to be fascinated by the power of vulnerability – how it connects us to our heart and is the bridge between our human and spiritual natures. In my own experience of sharing Partner Yoga practices over many years I see the irony of how we all think we need to show up ‘with our shit together’ and yet it is through our vulnerability that we fall in love with each other.
It is easy to imagine Partner Yoga practice is simply about deepening into postures (which is wonderful benefit) but training in Partner Yoga is much more then the physical forms. It is an opportunity to experience our shared humanity, to practice deep listening, and to open up and expand into more of who we truly are.
Consider immersing again or for the first time in a Level I Training. Although the training provides all the tools needed to share the practice with others, it is designed for every body, with a sincere interest in exploring the deepest parts of your body and being.
Each time we are willing to open and share ourselves authentically, we are richly rewarded.