I have found myself in good health and a lot of time on my hands due to retirement and an empty nest, with thirteen years of AYP under my belt, it is clear it’s the best time to make the most of the eight limbs while I can and have the capacity. Yogani sums it up nicely here, it is well worth the five minutes of reading.
It is a pleasant surprise how samyama manifests not only on the seat but too in daily life. My path winds through movement (asana, dance, walking, stretching) and driven by a conductive body and strong inner silence. Samyama practice (seven years) has made surrendering somewhat second nature it now happens with eyes open or closed, simply by falling quiet and open, on the mat…dance floor…in a pose, any pose. The ever present white noise raises pitch. Stimulation, integration, radiance are simultaneous on slow intentional breath, it feels like stillness in action, just as promised.
It manifests as playfulness, especially when alone, where there is no one to silly judge, becoming public in attitude and an upcurled mouth and lightness flowing out my face in the grocery store or in dance or asana class or being authentic in front of the wife in the house we share. Samyama has made our marriage age better.
There is always the knowing this body will slow or quit someday but that is not today. Today is all that matters, the rest are memories or stories of something that hasn’t manifested. If I can be quiet and open, and feel today then I should be a better at being and someday understanding why.