In 2017, I met two yoga teachers who were best friends. They described their relationship as Sthira – Sukha. Pulled from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 2.46, “sthira-sukham asanam,” referring to the balance of effort and ease in a yoga posture.
I haven’t thought of this Yoga Sutra in quite a long time, but today it came to mind as I decided to walk The Albion Prayer Path for a friend who is battling cancer.
Over my years of yoga practice I have been told on many occasions that our practice on the mat mirrors our real life. I have found that to be true as I met my body each day.
As I came to the path empty handed today, I looked around to see if I could put an offering together with what I found around me. I grabbed a weathered linen pouch, put some goldenrod blooms and a short stick inside.
Immediately, I thought about my friend’s cancer journey. How I hope for her to hold on to her sweetness, peace of mind and hope…represented by the goldenrod and Sukha. Along with steadiness to meet the unknown, the physical and mental effort needed to move forward into her new reality…represented by the stick and Sthira.
What I have realized, regardless of what “dis-ease” arises in life, is how Sthira & Sukha work together to create emotional and physical balance. To cherish rest days and find pride in hard work all while the uncertainty of the ever changing world meet us each day.
When I made it to the center of the path, I saw a birds nest that Mark had found in the apple tree on the property placed in the center. I gently laid the offering in the nest. There were two blue-green stones that I saw on the ground nearby, so I placed those in the nest like robin’s eggs and wished my friend well.
Sthira & Sukha – Steady & Sweet.
A solid sutra to live by.
Namaste,
Janay-
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