Expanding Your Yoga Practice: Embracing Endings and Welcoming Change
Hey friends! Have you ever felt scared to leave a job you don’t like or stay in a relationship that’s not good for you just because it feels familiar? That’s what we’re talking about today – why we’re so scared of endings and how yoga can help us overcome this fear.
Whether you’re new to yoga or a dedicated practitioner seeking personal growth beyond postures, understanding the concept of Abhinivesha can enrich your everyday life and deepen your practice. Here’s how.
Understanding Abhinivesha and Different Types of Fear
What is Abhinivesha? Abhinivesha comes from ancient yogic philosophy and translates to the fear of death, which yeah, might sound a bit morbid. But like most teachings in yoga, it has depth and layers.
Death is a big fear for most of us—it’s that final frontier into the unknown. And that’s the point of this teaching. Sometimes, to embrace endings and change, we have to ‘die’ to what we already know or who we think we are. And that’s not easy.
Most of us hold onto the familiar, even if it’s not serving our highest good. Think about how you might stay in a job or relationship that isn’t right for you because you’re afraid of what might come next. Everything could be telling you to leave—it’s not working, you’re not happy—but you can’t. Why? Because the pain you are in is familiar, and you can handle it. Sure, it’s unhealthy, but it feels better than stepping into something new that you have no idea will be better. True?
Let’s walk through some types of this fear that you may be able to relate to.
Types of Fear of Endings
Fear of Losing Identity: Imagine you’ve been known as the ‘funny one’ all your life. Changing that identity can be scary. What if people don’t like the new you?
Fear of Losing Your Job: You might hate your job, but the thought of losing it can be terrifying. How will you pay the bills? What will people think?
Fear of Losing Money: Taking a financial risk, like starting a new business, can make us afraid. What if we end up with nothing?
Fear of Facing Hardship: Change can be tough. You might think, “This is going to be really hard,” or “I won’t know how to do it,” and even “What if I look stupid?” These thoughts can stop us from moving forward.
Fear of Outcome: Then there’s the worry about what happens if things don’t go well. “What if I do all this work and it doesn’t turn out the way I hoped? Will it all be a waste of time?”
Rational and Impulsive Fears
Rational Fears: When you sit down and think about it, you realise you’re scared of losing what you currently have. You worry about the pain you might go through during the process and that things won’t turn out well in the end. These are rational fears.
Impulsive Fears: But there are also fears we don’t always recognise right away. These are the fears of rejection and not being accepted or validated. We all want to belong. Doing something new that risks us looking foolish or being made fun of can be terrifying. We fear being ostracised.
Moving Forward Despite Fears
Yoga is a practice of self-empowerment and enrichment. To reach our next level in practice, we must go beyond the current constructs of who we think we are so that we can become all we can be and reach higher states of consciousness— reaching a state of Samadhi as the ultimate goal.
To get there, the ancient sages knew we’d need to learn to face our fears. It might be scary, especially if we don’t have support or if it risks our current stability. We just want to be validated and belong.
So it becomes important, even if you’re afraid of what others might say or how they might react, to take the next right action that feels true to you. Whatever your dream is, pursue it with integrity. Yes, it’s scary, but it’s also how we grow.
Bringing Abhinivesha Onto the Yoga Mat
- Surrendering in Asanas: During your yoga practice, focus on surrendering to each asana (pose) without attachment to how it was or should be. Embrace the journey of the pose, allowing yourself to explore and release any fear or resistance that arises.
- Meditating on Change: Incorporate a short meditation at the end of your yoga session, reflecting on the impermanence of life and the concept of Abhinivesha. Visualise yourself fearlessly embracing change, feeling lighter and more open to new experiences.
Embracing the Breath: Your breath is a powerful tool to stay present and embrace endings and change. During challenging poses or moments of discomfort, focus on steady and conscious breathing. This practice will help you remain centred and anchored during times of transition.
Letting Go of Comparison: In a yoga class or practice, avoid comparing your progress or abilities to others. Everyone’s journey is unique, and comparing ourselves can lead to self-judgment and fear of not being “good enough.” Embrace your growth at your pace, without fear of endings or beginnings.
Journaling and Reflection: Keep a yoga journal to jot down your thoughts and experiences during and after each session. Use this practice to explore any emotions or resistance that arise in your practice. Through reflection, you can better understand your relationship with change and work on letting go of fear.
Dissolve Abhinivesha With Yoga
Today, you’ve learned that Abhinivesha is the fear of change. It keeps you stuck, but through yoga, you can learn to face this fear and grow into a happier, healthier you. Next time you feel scared of trying something new, remember what we talked about. Take a deep breath, trust yourself, and maybe give yoga a try. It could open doors to a new and exciting life.
So, what are you afraid of losing? Your identity, job, money? Do these fears stop you from pursuing your dreams? Let’s embrace endings and change together. Try a simple yoga practice and see how it helps you face your fears. Change is a part of life, and it can be beautiful. Let’s embrace it together, one step at a time.
