February 26th, 2010 Olympic Blog- The Yoga of the Olympics
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 02:56AM The Olympic vibe is reverberating across the Whistler valley. Daily we see heartfelt demonstrations of excellence from our Olympic athletes. A melody of world languages resonates throughout the Whistler Village.
What’s happening up here in Whistler, you ask? This town is teeming with yoga.
Yoga? Yep, I said it, yoga.
If you are having visions of the streets of Whistler packed with people practicing yoga, that’s not exactly what I’m getting at, although I guess its not too far from the truth… Certainly, some Olympic athletes prepare their bodies and minds for competition through yoga, and the Whistler Lululemon store is offering daily free yoga classes throughout the Games, but I’m more talking about the ‘true’ meaning of yoga.
Many Westerners credit yoga for being a great workout or stretch, which it is, but the meaning and purpose of yoga extends far beyond physical benefits. It is a state of mind and a way of being. In my admittedly biased opinion (as an Olympian and yoga instructor), there is no better setting to observe that yogic state of mind or way of being than at the Olympics Games.
The word ‘yoga’ means union of mind, body, and spirit. One of my yoga teachers always said, “yoga is the cessation of fluctuations of the mind.” That is, yoga happens when awareness is drawn completely to the present moment, allowing the often-frenetic mind to come into stillness.
It’s funny because I used to describe racing downhill as a very similar kind of state. Even though skiing 85mph down a mountain is totally crazy and chaotic, my experience racing downhill would always be amazingly serene and silent. All physical sensation would fall away—the sound of my skis rattling over ice, the bite of cold wind on my face, any pain from injuries. I became deeply involved in the present moment. When I skied through the finish, my senses would turn back on. I’d start to hear the roar of the crowd, feel the cold air in my lungs, and realize the ache in my feet from my tight boots. The contrast was dramatic. When my mind started darting to the scoreboard, to analyzing my race, to judging my performance, I’d recall the stillness of my run and think, “THAT was nice.”
THAT was yoga. That was cessation of fluctuations of the mind. Olympic athletes experience this every time they compete. A state of total focus, total presence. In essence, focused competition is meditation in its own right.
Even if you’d rather leave the danger and adrenaline to the Olympians, with a little awareness and effort, anyone can access the present moment. I’ll admit it is easier said than done, but it is such a powerful, vital place to be.
As I watched the opening ceremonies a couple of weeks ago, I felt the attention of the world converge on the Pacific Northwest. I couldn’t help but be moved by the notion that, for once, the eyes of world were looking toward a single place for peaceful reasons rather than destructive ones. After all, the Olympics provide a rare occasion for the world to come together to celebrate values like excellence, fairness, respect, peace, and personal growth, not to clash over politics, resources, or war.
While I walked the streets of Whistler Village the past two weeks, I overheard diverse languages and admired colorful fans. It is impossible to ignore that this is an international party just as much as it is an athletic competition. People have come together from all corners of the earth to spectate and to celebrate. Although I’d rather it didn’t take a sporting event to get people to come together in peace and celebration, it still is a beautiful thing.
So what’s so yogic about this international party known as the Olympics? It’s symbolic. Through our collected attention, we are reminded that, despite geographic distance or language barrier, the world is inescapably interconnected. The Olympics represent overlapping world culture and commerce. The Games highlight shared values, and they promote peace over disturbance. Yogic philosophy says that the universe is a dance of energy in flux. At the Olympics, the dance of energy somehow becomes more palpable.
At the Olympics, yoga is everywhere. It is a heightened state of mind, and it is a way to see our world.
And still, the yoga of the Olympics extends far beyond the actual Games. It is the sparkle in the eye of the nine year-old watching her Olympic hero compete. It is the celebratory jumps of the inspired fan cheering from home.
Yoga is simply tapping into the joy already present in your own heart, and letting it shine bright. Like gold.
Reader Comments (7)
WOW! AND WOW AGAIN!
First of all, just looking at the picture makes every part of my body tingle with the urge to get on a plane and hea dout to Whistler.
It is a shame that we are already in 2011 and I only bump into this post now...
Both me and my yoga mat are drooling over the view.
I bet there was some extra energy in those classes, with all the buzz of the games going on in the background.
Thanks for sharing the good vibe
Aum and Namaste
WangK Health is certainly more valuable than money, because it is by health that money is procured.-China GPS Navigation
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