Poetry and Yoga

 

"Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single
friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore
unsuitable.

I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds
or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of
praying, as you no doubt have yours.

Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit
on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds,
until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost
unhearable sound of the roses singing.

If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love
you very much.”

 

Mary Oliver

Swan:  Poems and Prose Poems

Poetry is not my field of expertise, nor is yoga.  I have always had a handful of favorite poets, but my appreciation for poems has grown considerably thanks to my friend Nancy, yoga teacher extraordinaire.  (nanyoga-alongthepath.blogspot.com)  Through her classes, she has introduced me to the works of  Mary Oliver, John O'Donohue, and David Whyte, to mention just a few. 

 

My attraction to these modern day poets has grown in spite of my love for the ancient poems.  The difference is in yoga class, I can listen to the poems shared out loud, while I rest on my mat in heavenly bliss.  My yoga teacher, Nancy, has this incredible hushed voice with a cadence delivering a poet's words as though they were being spoken privately to me.  The words are not strung into rhyming sentences, and through her tender deliverance, the words float from the poet's heart to mine.

 

 

Nancy stresses to all who are present that established yoga poses can be achieved, but the heart of yoga can be found in the created still point.  It is encouraging to be reminded that my body may never twist into a pretzel, but my mind can find the bliss when balanced with my stretched body releasing stress. 

 

The poem above by Mary Oliver is one of my favorite.  I first heard it after participating in a beginner's yoga class presented by Nancy.  The completion of initial instructions with Nancy's constant monitoring ... "Virginia, you don't look comfortable.  Here, try this.  Ah, that is better!" ... was rewarded by the last portion of the class, resting on the mat in personal meditation or relaxation supported by bolsters, pillows, and blankets. 

 

Yoga is not just about the physical.  It holds a spiritual and mindful component as well.  Nancy's gift of relaxing poetic words into the yoga stretched body is exceptional.  The poet's feelings are articulated into words, softly delivered, flowing through the body, mind, and spirit.

Nancy's years of teaching yoga has put poetry in motion.