12/21/2025
My relationship to “stillness”
I used to think of sitting still as something to be avoided at all costs. Movement forward, whether it be progressing in my education, career, relationships, or, physical movement of constantly “doing,” equated to success, worth, pride.
Maybe as recently as 2 or 3 years ago, being still, slowing down, and simply sitting with myself, would have brought up tropes of “laziness,” and internal monologues of “not doing enough.”
Today, I engaged in a two hour yin yoga class (passively holding simple poses for 5 minutes at a time). Back then, I would have never — I would only “do” yoga if it was a very physical practice with fast paced motion.
It reminded me of how far I have come, and the power of being still, being quiet, and being in my own body. It is the moments that we feel the need to “speed up,” that we actually need to pause and slow down.
When we are conditioned to do, produce, move, act, and progress, our bodies and nervous systems are hyper-aroused. Oftentimes, it may not feel safe to slow down. What would “slowing down” bring up, that we have been trying to avoid or escape?
Through the practice of yin, of stillness, I experienced a range sensations (I cried, napped, released, stretched). It was a pause in my day, in my week, in this season, and it allowed me to re-connect, re-ground, and remind myself of my SELF.
It is a busy season. It is an overwhelming world. In the moments of urgency and rushing, I encourage you to take moments (it can literally be a breath, or split second) to pause and tune inwards.
It is when we are still and slow that we remember who we are, what we are needing, and how much love is in our hearts.
