Equanimity in Yoga and in Life
By Shauna Hylenski
When we step onto our yoga mat what are we seeking? Something internal or external or a mixture of both. One thing that is often a byproduct of a regular practice is balance and perspective. Do you notice that after yoga your reactions to challenges or stresses are different? This is a result of the perfect mixture of physical movement, breath, attention and bringing all your states of being into balance. Within this state we can understand that feelings of blame, praise, failures, successes, fame, disrepute, pleasure and pain all take us away from equanimity and away from our natural state of freedom.
What is Equanimity?
Equanimity is defined as a state of psychological stability and composure which is undisturbed by experience of or exposure to emotions, pain, or other phenomena that may cause others to lose the balance of their mind. Another eastern based definition of equanimity is “to look over.” Being able to “look over” without getting caught up in the ups and downs of life creates a sense of ease, peace and harmony.
How does equanimity show up on your yoga mat in your practice?
Regulation of our breath helps to promote our parasympathetic nervous response of rest and digest, tend and befriend. Tuning into our bodies while in this state gives a frame of reference for when things are not quite as peaceful and calm. You can feel how your breath is full and body is at ease which guides you naturally to the state of equanimity. While on our yoga mats, we can start to feel this evenness of mind. The more we practice the longer the evenness can be maintained.
Tips on how we can practice equanimity off of our mat:
When you start to feel your even mind falter and the strong feelings either positive or negative take hold, try the following exercises as a way to embrace equanimity in the moment.
Focus on breathing and neutral things in the environment by receiving an “equanimity mantra” Speaking in the third person to guide you back to calm can be an effective tool to coaching yourself back to an even mind and attitude.
Physical activity can help stop the build up of cortisol in your system when your nervous system ignites its fight or flight response of the sympathetic nervous system. Take a walk, a jog or ride your bike anything that brings you some movement and joy in moments of challenge.
Meditation can begin to rewire our brains, especially the loving kindness meditation. This practice guides you to send loving and compassionate thoughts to everyone from friends and family, strangers who are suffering and towards yourself.
By practicing equanimity in our yoga we have a chance to understand how this state “feels” and to call it back, flip on our equanimity switch when we need it most. We notice we can more easily “look over” the interactions or environments that at one time threw us off kilter and instead find an evenness of body and mind. If you practice regularly you will find you drop into this state with ease and less effort.