Along for the Ride

A few days of springlike temperatures melted the impressive accumulation of snow and ice here in record time. During a walk this past weekend, I passed torrents of muddy snowmelt cascading down the mountainside and paused to feel the invigorating, raw power of the rushing water.

In some places, the current moved with such force that instead of gliding over the rocks, it formed small, turbulent pools flowing upstream, against the main current. It occurred to me that I too sometimes find myself stuck in similar patterns of resistance, fighting against life’s greater flow.

In these moments, it helps to remember that just as the rushing water follows gravity, we're carried by a force bigger than our selves. We’re enlivened by a deeper, subtle energy—what yoga calls shakti - a self-organizing, universal consciousness that unfolds dynamically and creatively through all of life.

In yoga, we align with this energy by releasing tension and patterns of holding – creating space for life’s vibrancy to flow more harmoniously, like a river unimpeded by debris.

Perhaps you’ve experienced the struggle that comes from forcing yourself beyond healthy limits in pursuit of a pose. And then, the effortless flow that emerges when you soften, release and let the breath guide your movement with fluidity.   

Beyond the physical, we can become aware of where we’re resisting life’s movement—hitting obstacles instead of allowing ourselves to be carried forward.

In the chaos and confusion of these fast-moving times, it's helpful to remember that we are not separate from the flow of life – we are the river, its flow is our becoming.

Life itself is an unstoppable force, inherently adaptive, creative, and responsive. Each of us is an embodiment of that unfolding, endowed with the same powers.

When we stop resisting, we discover that life’s current doesn’t just carry us—it frees us. Like a river moving toward the ocean, surrendering to the flow of our lives helps us move forward with greater ease, confidence, and trust.

Practice Suggestion: Try a simple flow, perhaps a Sun Salutation, with your eyes closed, focusing on your breath moving through your body like a flowing river. Notice where you feel resistance and where you feel ease. Can you surrender to the natural rhythm without forcing?

Daily Reminder: The next time you find yourself fighting against circumstances, pause and ask: "Am I creating unnecessary resistance? What would it feel like to move with the flow instead?"

Yours in yoga,
Barrie