What Is GRIT And Grace?
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, an ancient and seminal text on yoga, states that we should practice according to the complimentary principles of Abhyasa (this is a Sanskrit word that means to practice regularly with consistency over time) and Vairagym (non attachment to an immediate particular outcome).
At Yoga Home Sligo, we translate this into a style of practice that means the discipline of showing up consistently but a devotion to showing up without the drama of demands!
We have the Grit to show up on the mat regularly BUT once we are there we have the Grace to meet ourselves where we are on any given day. This means we practice without forcing ourselves to feel a certain way or “perform”. We get real and we commit to staying real. Once we meet reality, all kinds of interesting things become possible!
This kind of authenticity is a fierce practice, but in the long run, it saves a lot of energy because pretending to be other than who and how you truly are is exhausting and deeply depleting. Once we free up this energy, we can restore, rebuild and revitalise on multiple levels.
Meeting yourself where you are does not mean “slacking off” or mean that you don’t grow in strength, endurance, flexibility and skilfulness, but it does mean that these capacities evolve gradually in authentic and therefore sustainable ways. By inviting ourselves into a GRIT and Grace practice we are stepping into a dedicated, curious and fundamentally friendly and appreciative relationship with our bodies, minds and hearts. As as my teacher Judith Hanson Lasater puts it, we
“embrace challenge but drop struggle!”
Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, probably the most prominent civil rights activist of the 20th Century, was not a yoga teacher, but he certainly knew something about meeting reality with discipline and devotion. He was deeply inspired by the Indian leader Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement (means staying grounded in Truth). To me. MLK sums up the essence of Grit and Grace when he wrote this;
“Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic.”
In GRIT and Grace classes, we embrace the challenge of tapping into the power of our bodies and minds in a way that is fully informed by a loving and appreciative relationship with the life force itself—in yoga we call this Prana—so that we channel the power of Prana in ways support our own flourishing as well as the flourishing of our families, our communities and whole tapestry of life.
There are three levels of Grit and Grace practice and you are encouraged to practice at the level that serves you. The levels reflect increasing degrees of challenge in physical postures and sequencing, breath work and meditative practices. Level one is most gentle (suitable for those with some basic familiarity with yoga), level two is moderate (suitable for those with some regularity of practice), level three is more vigorous (suitable for those with regular and consistent practice).
What is Dynamic Alignment Flow Level 2?
Grit & Grace invites you into a dynamic practice that engages the integrated power of body heart mind. We'll move moderately and balance effort with ease, with intelligence and compassion and our intention is to engage our whole being--GRIT&Grace is a work-in as much as a work out.
Cultivating Grit means sustainable strength and flexibility in body and mind takes courage so we'll be working muscle, bone and breath but also developing emotional and psychological tenacity and resilience--can we stick with our experience when the going gets tough?
Cultivating Grace means realising where to soften, where to do less, where to trust that the body and the breath have innate intelligence and can support us. Can we come into this trusted partnership in our relationship with our breath? Can we be kind and forgiving with the body when it doesn't meet our demands or expectations? Can we find the sweet spot between effort and ease and accept the inherent imperfections of our humanity and the inherent limitations of the practice?
We will work with alignment and breath, sometimes through a slow flow, sometimes through more focused postural deconstruction, but always with the intention of working with wisdom and compassion. Prepare to challenge yourself, prepare to meet yourself wholeheartedly!
Who Is This Class For?
This is a Level 2 which means it’s suitable for most people with some yoga experience who would like an active and dynamic practice. It’s also suitable for those who may be new or newer to yoga but have some experience with movement practice like dance, pilates, aerobics. It’s not suitable for those brand new to a movement practice. If you are brand new, try our GRIT&Grace Level 1 or Our Mindful Yoga Class
Dates, Times, Pricing
Time: This Class is on Wednesday 6:15pm-7:45pm
March 13-April 24 NO CLASS APRIL 10
At YHS we try hard to balance the necessities of covering business costs with keeping yoga accessible for all. Therefore we implement what we call fair trade pricing. Pricing Summary Below but For Full Explanation Of Fair Trade Yoga Pricing visit www.yogahomesligo.com/fairtradepricing
Supported €75 for those negotiating financial challenge (breaks down to approx €12.50 per class)
Standard €90 for those experiencing financial stability (breaks down to approx €15 per class)
Supporter €108 for those enjoying financial security (breaks down to approx €18 per class)
Furthermore, if you are unable to pay in one instalment and smaller payments over time would be workable, please inquire about a payment plan. This can apply to any of the three rates. The payment plans will be worked out on a case-by-case basis upon request.
* If a course had already started, it may still be possible to join if the course is not sold out. You Can still choose your tier (supported/standard/supporter) The fee will be pro-rated accordingly (€12.50/15/18) for every class missed.
Drop-in attendance may be possible if course is not sold out. Drop-in is €18 per class.
For Terms and Conditions, visit www.yogahomesligo.com/tscs
Financial challenge will not be a barrier to practice at Yoga Home Sligo so if you cannot afford the pricing outlined above, please contact me and we will work something out.