Embracing Resistance

Jill Amison • August 28, 2024

Transitioning from Summer's Freedom to the Structure of a New School Year

As the warm, expansive days of summer begin to shorten, there’s a noticeable shift in energy. Can you feel it?

Summer, with its long days and open schedules, invites us to spread out, explore, and savour the spaciousness of time. It’s a season that embodies freedom—a time when routines soften, and the daily grind feels a little less demanding. However, as the school year approaches, we find ourselves transitioning from this flow into a more structured rhythm. For many, this shift is met with resistance.

Understanding Resistance: A Natural Part of Change

Resistance is a natural response to change, especially when moving from a state of freedom into one of routine. In yoga, resistance can be viewed through the lens of tapas (NOT the Spanish nibbles!), one of the Niyamas or personal observances in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Tapas refers to the disciplined use of our energy, often translated as “fiery discipline.” It’s the heat that builds up when we confront our edges, pushing through discomfort to grow and transform.

During this transition from summer to the new school year, resistance is the friction we feel when our laid-back summer habits collide with the demands of a more scheduled life. It’s the reluctance to trade in late mornings for early alarms, or the hesitation to let go of the spontaneity that summer allows. Acknowledging this resistance, rather than fighting it, is key to navigating this seasonal shift with grace.

A Ritual for Transition: Creating Space for Both Freedom and Structure

To ease the transition, it’s helpful to create a ritual that honours both the freedom of summer and the structure of the school year. This ritual can help you mindfully embrace the change rather than resist it. Here’s a simple practice to help you ground yourself during this time:

Set an Intention: Begin by sitting quietly and reflecting on what the summer brought you—perhaps it was rest, joy, or adventure. Set an intention for the school year ahead, something that acknowledges your need for structure but also leaves room for freedom. For example, your intention might be “I will embrace structure while nurturing my creative spirit.”
Mindful Decluttering: Spend time decluttering your physical space. As you clean out old papers, reorganize your workspace, or refresh your wardrobe, imagine you’re clearing space in your mind and heart as well. This is symbolic of making room for new routines and learning opportunities.
Yoga Practice for Balance: Incorporate a yoga practice that balances grounding postures, like Warrior II or Tree Pose, with expansive poses such as Open Hearted Backbends. This physical practice mirrors the balance between the groundedness of routine and the openness of summer’s freedom.
Journal and Reflect: Write down what you’re feeling about the transition. What do you miss about summer? What excites you about the school year? Allow yourself to explore these emotions without judgment.
Create a Vision Board: Use images and words to create a vision board that represents your goals and dreams for the school year. Place it somewhere you’ll see it daily as a reminder of your intentions and the balance you seek.

Yoga Philosophy: Finding Balance Between Freedom and Discipline

Yoga teaches us that balance is not about rigidly holding one position, but about fluidly moving between opposites—freedom and discipline, effort and ease.

The Bhagavad Gita, a key text in yoga philosophy, speaks to this balance: “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” This journey often requires us to navigate the push and pull of life’s demands, finding our center amidst the shifts.

In your transition from summer to the school year, consider how you can maintain a sense of spaciousness even within a structured routine. Perhaps it’s through mindful breathing, taking small moments throughout the day to reconnect with yourself, or setting aside time for creative pursuits that bring you joy.

As you move into the school year, carry this quote from the Bhagavad Gita with you: “Better indeed is knowledge than mechanical practice. Better than knowledge is meditation. But better still is surrender of attachment to results, because there follows immediate peace.”

This reminds us that while discipline and routine are important, peace comes from surrendering our resistance and flowing with the rhythm of life.

Transitioning from the freedom of summer to the structure of the school year can feel challenging, but it also offers an opportunity for growth. By embracing resistance and finding ways to integrate both freedom and structure into your life, you can move through this seasonal shift with greater ease. Remember, it’s not about choosing one over the other, but about finding harmony between the two. With mindfulness, intention, and a little bit of yoga, you can create a balanced and fulfilling start to the new school year.

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Navigating Conflict & Creating Healthy Boundaries on the Spiritual Path

By Jill Amison • January 13, 2025

Navigating Conflict and Creating Boundaries on the Spiritual Path Conflict is an uncomfortable yet inevitable part of life. As someone deeply immersed in the practice of yoga and spiritual growth, I’ve often found myself wrestling with how to navigate disagreements, especially of late, while staying true to my values. Yoga teaches us to ride the highs and lows of life with grace, but that doesn’t mean we always get it right. For me, conflict has been a difficult terrain to navigate, but over the years, I’ve learned to stand up for myself with right action—an approach deeply rooted in both Buddhist philosophy and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Sitting with the Feeling Before Reacting One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of sitting with my emotions before reacting. The Buddhist principle of mindfulness encourages us to observe our thoughts and feelings without immediately acting on them. In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna is faced with an internal struggle about going into battle. Krishna advises him not to avoid the conflict but to engage in it with wisdom and righteousness. Similarly, I’ve realised that avoidance doesn’t resolve conflict; rather, thoughtful engagement does. There have been times when I’ve failed at this—when I’ve reacted instead of responding with intention. But with practice, I’ve learned to pause, breathe, and compose my words with clarity and without hostility. This is not always easy, especially when emotions run high, but it is essential for maintaining inner peace while asserting healthy boundaries. Boundaries: The Bridge Between Compassion and Self-Respect Brené Brown, in Atlas of the Heart, speaks about boundaries as an essential component of healthy relationships. She reminds us that we can agree to disagree, but boundaries help define what is and isn’t acceptable in our interactions. For instance: It’s okay that we have different beliefs, but it’s not okay to belittle mine. It’s okay that we are upset, but it’s not okay to yell or swear at each other. It’s okay to set limits, but it’s not okay to disregard or disrespect them. Boundaries are not about controlling others; they are about protecting our own well-being while still allowing space for connection. They help us navigate relationships with integrity, ensuring that we can hold space for differing perspectives without compromising our values. Healthy Ways to Navigate Conflict on the Spiritual Path So how do we engage in conflict in a way that aligns with our spiritual practice? Here are a few approaches I’ve found helpful: Pause Before Responding – Take a breath, feel the emotions, and respond with intention rather than impulse. Practice Non-Violent Communication – Express needs and concerns without blame or aggression. Hold Compassion for Yourself and Others – Recognize that everyone is navigating their own struggles, and approach conflict with an open heart. Stand Firm in Your Truth – Speak your truth with clarity and confidence, knowing that setting boundaries is an act of self-respect. Accept Disagreements Without Forcing Resolution – Some conflicts may not have a perfect resolution, and that’s okay. Agreeing to disagree while maintaining respect is sometimes the best outcome. Know When to Walk Away – If the other person is unable or unwilling to communicate without crossing your boundaries, it may be necessary to disengage. Protecting your peace is just as important as standing your ground. This could mean ending the conversation, limiting contact, or, in extreme cases, removing yourself from the relationship altogether. Choosing to walk away is not a sign of weakness; it is a testament to your self-respect and emotional well-being. Navigating conflict is not about winning or proving a point; it’s about showing up authentically while maintaining inner peace. It’s about finding the balance between openness and self-protection. It’s a practice—one that, like yoga, requires patience, awareness, and a willingness to grow. As I continue on this journey, I remind myself that I won’t always get it right. But I can keep practicing, keep learning, and keep striving to meet conflict with wisdom and compassion. After all, the goal is not perfection but presence.