July's Theme of the month - Sthira & Sukha

• jULY  - Sthira and Sukha - Ease and Effort 

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase "Sthira Sukham Asanam.” 

This is a Sanskrit phrase meaning "steady and comfortable posture" or "steadiness and ease in the posture”. Sometimes chanted as part of mantra or within a kirtan practice, (singing yoga) It speaks of the balance of ease and effort on our mat. 

This month we’re looking at bringing this to our practice on the mat, but also taking it off the mat and applying it to our everyday lives! 

Etymologically arising from the root stha, which means “to stand, to be firm”- Sthira represents our strength, our stability, and our steadiness in the moment.

Etymologically arising from the root words su (good) and kha (space) and translating literally as good space, Sukha represents our comfort, ease, and openness.

Sometimes our practice can reflect what’s happening in our outside world. Ever got on your mat and felt like you were battling the poses? Perhaps at the time this was also happening at work?! 

Through observing our practice and checking in, we can perhaps start to see patterns occurring. Maybe with recognition, we can take our practice of observation on the mat into our everyday lives! One can influence the other. 

Expect a month of checking in and observing our practice, and trying to find balance on and off of it.