Maitri – Using Yoga Therapy to Open to the Self
May 16, 2012
by: Nancy Levenson, 500 E-RYT, 1,000 PYT, Professional Yoga Therapist
This week our clients leaned into themselves, developing a connection with Maitri, (Sanskrit: an unconditional friendship and love of oneself). It’s easy to forget that self love and friendship is our starting point to exploring and expanding ourselves out into the world. It is through our own awareness of noticing and celebrating our positive self, qualities, skills, and way of being, that can embrace others with the same self love and unconditional friendship. Like carrying around two spheres, one inside ourselves and one outside ourselves, we learn how to find the center where the two spheres merge into one.
In our yoga therapy center, we work with clients to allow all of our desires, emotions and fears to unfold and open like the Lotus flower. We delve deep inside the Manomaya Kosha, discovering lessons that we’ve learned and have yet to learn. We develop a deep understanding of how our lessons become spiritual awakenings on our path to embracing our self and ultimately embracing a world with open arms and compassion. Can you sit with your own self in Maitri? Take the time to explore this five minute meditation into self.
Can you sit in the company of self?
Drop into your inner silence
Peel away the layers of your being
And see that gem that lies deep within
Can you meditate with self?
Open to your own heart, your own emotions
Touch the very essence of your soul
And step away from all that was, to be fully present now
Can you dive deep inside?
Explore the unconditional love of the one you sit with now
Accept compassion and friendship
And all of your experiences as they arise
Open yourself up to the bliss of self
What pierces your heart with love, fear, joy, sadness?
What is calling you from deep inside?
And how can you best serve you
Enter the crucible of Maitri
The unconditional friendship with oneself
Sit in silence, just allow, and just listen
You may discover a beautiful being has been with you all along
©NamasteWorks Yoga + Wellness, 5860 S. Curtice St., Littleton, CO 80120. We are not a walk-in studio, and offer private group classes, individual sessions and workshops for our clients. Also offering 200HR Integrative Yoga Therapy Teacher Training and Free Yoga in the Park – Highlands Ranch. All classes require a RSVP. www.namasteworksyoga.com – A Place to Discover Yoga as a Healing Art.










