Walking through the door

“Your nervous system walks into the room ahead of you.”

This is a quote from the incredibly informative Louise George at a recent training session.  It’s circled my brain ever since and I wanted to share a few thoughts with you.  

When people come into the studio for the first time or to attend a class that isn’t their regular one, the first thing many ask is, “Do people have their own places or can I…?‘, the rest of the question hangs in the air. I always respond with, “No, not really,” because that’s true and yet, I follow it up with how we are creatures of habit and how, ‘back row, right corner’ was always my spot in class, because this is also true - I do it too.  

It’s a polite courtesy but at the same time, it’s a gift of a conversation. We can recognise in the moment how our Nervous System does indeed walk in the room ahead of us.  For many of us it’s alert and watchful. It’s looking out to see if the space by the window or the heater is free; if the class is a busy or a quiet one.  It’s taking in the energy mix in the room and seeing how it gels with our own. It’s wondering if we’re going to start with something familiar.  Sensing how the flow of words just uttered aloud sounded in other’s ears, all whilst we set up the space as we like it.  More than anything, it knows how we’re wearing the cloak of today so far and throws a gaze about the room from that perspective. It may look very different to that. Perhaps, it brings the bounce of ‘tigger energy’ today, with more than enough light to share with the room.  Whatever it looks like it’s all human and it’s all welcome. All of our nervous system checks are conducted in split seconds, before we even realise it’s happened. It’s on our side. All the things navigated, it’s got us here safely.  

And so we begin. 

To watch.

Yoga is watching. Watching the protective nervous system nestle in behind, curl up, take a needed rest.  Making way for us to venture beyond the space we occupy in our heads to connect with the rest of our selves.  Perhaps if the nervous system had colours, we would see the light in the room change to softer, calmer hues. This is why we come. 

Nx