Learning to Take a Back Seat
Slowing Down and Letting Go
I’m learning to take a back seat — to watch, to move forward more indirectly, and to stop expecting everything to happen at once. Instead of always pushing, I’m standing still, noticing, reflecting.
This is hard for me. I want to drive the car, to get there straight away, to know the route. But learning how to stand back, to notice the traffic (or lack of it), to accept and wait that I will reach my destination — whatever that may be — is an act of huge patience and wisdom.
A Feminine Stance of Calmness
This shift feels like stepping into a feminine stance of calmness and coolness. In yoga philosophy, it’s mirrored in the Ida Nadi — the energy channel running along the left side of the body and connected with the right side of the brain. Activating the Ida Nadi can help to unblock and direct subtle, more fluid energy through body and mind, bringing stillness and clarity.
My Practice This Week: Breath as the Gateway
This week, I’m exploring this through breath (prāṇāyāma), focusing particularly on my left nostril. Breathing doesn’t come easily to me. I do it, of course — or I wouldn’t be here — but I have to work at it, especially through my left nostril, which seems constantly blocked.
Chandra Bhedana (Moon Breath)
Today in my personal practice, I’ll do 10 rounds of Chandra Bhedana, or “Moon Breath.” This is a yogic breathing technique that involves inhaling through the left nostril and exhaling through the right. It’s believed to activate the Ida Nadi — the lunar energy channel — promoting a cooling, calming effect on the mind and body.
Lying on the Right Side
I’ll also practice lying on my right side, another way to activate the Ida Nadi and support the left nostril. This, combined with calming, cooling, and restorative poses like forward bends and Śavāsana (corpse pose), will be the heart of my practice today.
An Invitation to Join Me
This is my experiment in patience, subtlety, and feminine energy. I’ll let you know how it goes. Why don’t you join me? Try Moon Breath, lie on your right side, explore forward bends, or simply rest in Śavāsana. Together, we can practice waiting, noticing, and moving forward with gentleness.
