What is The Scared Mat? It is my Temple, my Safe Space, my Refuge.
I remove my shoes, unfurl my mat, mindfully step into its space and exhale. It is where I practice yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation. Where I meet myself, and where I sometimes try to run away. Where I find discomfort, solace, grace, forgiveness, compassion, joy and inspiration. It is where I allow myself a pause in the day, to move within, and become an observer; to be present. It is a place for me to get to know me. To see the unpleasant and become friends with it. And to allow myself to see the beautiful. A place where I am GROUNDED!
I move my body through asanas and feel my feet firmly connected to the mat; to the earth beneath me. I feel the safety of my space. When I hit that juicy spot between comfort and discomfort, my body instinctively wants to fight or run away — I can consciously choose to SURRENDER.
We all have labels that the world gives us, and that we give ourselves. On my Sacred Mat I am not a woman, daughter, sister, wife, mother, yoga instructor, Latinx, procrastinator, perfectionist — I AM.
Through my yoga practice, on my Sacred Mat, I am able to connect with my breath and go within. To heal the physical, emotional, and mind bodies. To still the constant chatter of the mind and observe. Some days I can quiet the stream of chatter, and on others, it is as busy as a call center. One of the many benefits of my practice on my Sacred Mat is that I am learning to tap into this sacred place beyond the four corners of the mat — to tap into the INNER STILLNESS THAT IS ALWAYS PRESENT IN US ALL.
The Sacred Mat blog is a venue to share thoughts, reflections, experiences and challenges on my journey to connect within and be my authentic self. A journey inspired by my yoga practice, that started on my sacred mat and moves beyond the physical boundaries of it. My wish is for all of us to find our very own Sacred Mat — in whatever form it comes!
Welcome!