Connection

During the last year, we were told to stay safe, stay indoors, not to mix with and basically not to trust in others. We were told to disconnect from our usual ways of being and interaction, cover our faces, don’t touch, don’t breathe, don’t hug, don’t mix. What has that done for our feelings of connection?

Of course, we have been resilient, we have moulded ourselves, created new forms of communication, new measures of conversation, new ways of being together, but not in person, not live and direct. We have used screens, phones, glass walls, 2 meter spaces. But what is the cost of this lack of connection? Our children see it as the norm not to know what someones facial expression is and instead look away, we turn away if someone approaches, we can’t even coo at babies in prams.

Have you noticed though, how people are perfecting the art of smiling with their eyes?

I went for a walk recently with a friend that I hadn’t seen in person for a very long time. The kind of friend who doesn’t go for small talk, who goes deep into exactly where she is and what is going on at that moment. It was so refreshing, I left feeling nourished, empowered and revived. That’s not to say the whole conversation was positive, but it was real. It was connected.

Think about the polite conversations we have and clearly sometimes need to have - The ‘how are yous?, ’ the ‘I’m fines!’, the weather, the ‘so what have you been up tos?’ They are all valid and valuable, but do you have anyone that knows you well enough to skip the small talk and look deeper into your being and connect? For that matter, do you ask yourself the deeper questions? Do you stop and check in with yourself, what you are doing, how you are feeling, if you are on automatic pilot or actually present? Do you notice your self talk, that constant inner monologue? Are you even kind and connected to yourself?

Just as I was writing this article, I had an email from one of the studios that I teach for, Leo Yoga studio with the same heading, ‘Connection’. I often find that when I am writing or contemplating a topic I receive emails or messages on the same subject so I opened it and read:

In a world full of people, what can be more beautiful than knowing how to form healthy relationships and establish deeper connections with those around us? Where we hope to Connect, Empower, Accept, Grow and Rest.

What can be more powerful than looking at people around you and understanding that by being kind, loving and helpful towards others, you are also being kind, loving and helpful towards yourself?

Yoga offers the space and time to ask the questions, to sit with the answers and to be truly present to whatever unfolds - the good, the bad and everything in between. I am not saying everyone needs to rush to a Yoga class immediately, but I do want to offer the suggestion that connection is key. Connection with yourself, your inner critic, your thoughts, deeds, your actions and reactions and of course your connection with others, that’s where the magic is!

I teach Hatha yoga, Yin yoga, breath-work, meditation, Restorative yoga and Yoga Nidra or relaxation in my online classes. Hopefully you can see that Yoga is not just about holding poses but a way to truly access the real you, nurture it and connect!