Duality, Balance and Yoga

Duality keeps coming to my mind these past few weeks and I have not been able to really sit long enough to complete a writing I felt was worthy of sharing. Google dictionary states the meaning as a ‘quality or condition of being dual’ and as well, an ‘instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something… a dualism’.

For me, duality, two things, can mean contradicting thoughts that appear simultaneously. The idea that I love to write and share and the fear of writing and sharing is, to me, a duality. I see and acknowledge duality in much of my days. Waking and sleeping, and being sleepy while I am awake; eating vegan or vegetarian in contrast to a paleo diet and attempting to find a more ‘flexitarian’ balanced diet somewhere in between; masculine and feminine aspects within ourselves; working and playing – is there a difference for me or for you?

Even this year of 2022 and this recent new moon in Gemini gives feelings to duality. It surrounds me this year… most years, but I am more aware of it this year.

In yoga, we talk about the softness and strength that we can feel when in a pose. Being engaged and strong in our bodies and calm and quiet in our inner being, both at the same time. The balancing poses are geared to finding that equanimity within and without our bodies. And as well, when we go within and feel our feelings, finding that space of acceptance when contradictory emotions surface. Our practice helps us in this. Grounding in our poses help with discovering a balance, an acceptance. Focusing on our own work/challenges and making attempts not to compare our practice with another yogi’s practice. Being OK with the duality that is part of each of us.

How does duality show up for you? How do you feel with dual emotions or dual behaviors? Can you find a place where awareness and acceptance begin to soften judgment?

It is all a practice. Yoga, Life, Acceptance, Being. Join me to practice this ‘being ok’ with what is in our bodies, on our mat and ultimately in our lives. It is all a practice. You start from where you are and I will start from where I am. Will you join in this practice with me?

Blessings, Denise