Thoughts | Yoga

The fire you can hold

July 3, 2021

I have always been fascinated by sparklers. It’s clear at a glance they have explosive energy, bits of light and specks of fire radiating in all directions – not at all the calm steady burn of a candles flame. And yet that display of raw energy poses virtually no threat. I can safely watch it burn, holding it just inches from my body with no fear. I’m captivated by the fire you can hold.

Countless sources speak to living a life of passion, building our fire, shining bright, burning passions and burning the midnight oil. Countless more sources speak to burnout, and a culture that always presses for more. Balance is what lies in the middle – the fire you can hold.

Balance in yoga is using the right amounts of strength, stability and flexibility to attain a version of the asana that serves your body – allowing you both to arrive fully in the shape AND to continue to grow and explore the shape. There’s fire – a physical (or mental) space that might start to heat up, telling you where you are putting your effort. There’s also the container (your body) that lets you hold that fire, and ways your body should respond when the fire gets too fierce, keeping the fire at a safe level.

Balance in life is using the right amounts of strength, stability and flexibility to attain a version of existence that serves your purpose – allowing you both to arrive fully in this world AND to continue to grow and explore the world. There’s fire – a physical (or mental) space that might start to heat up, reminding you where you are putting your effort. There’s also the container (your body, your home, your business) that lets you hold that fire, and ways you should respond when the fire gets too fierce. Warmth and light are good. Destruction is sometimes good. Raging out of control fire, not so much.

The humble sparkler reminds me to make sure the fire I carry is one I can hold.