Rethinking Action Verbs

How the language of yoga speaks to the kind of life I need

Guiding a yoga class this morning, I was reminded of how the cues of a physical practice double as instructions for the very existence I crave.

Look no further than the verbs: there’s no “hustle” or “push” or “conform.” No “Suck it up.” No “pretend.”

Instead, yoga employs a language that encourages self-reflection, discernment, connection, and presence. It is filled with intentionality and purpose, sensation and depth, effort balanced with ease.

For example:

A cue to raise your arms might be “float.”

A suggestion to hold a pose: “linger.”

The invitation to clear your mind: “let go.”

Other action words… all of which I used just today:

• Allow

• Settle

• Soften

• Expand

• Feel

• Ease

• Explore

• Relax

• Exhale

• Inhale

• Gaze

• Sweep

• Release

• Be

And then there are the adverbs:

• Slowly

• Gently

• Mindfully

• Softly

• Lovingly

• Gratefully

• Effortlessly

(Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. If particular words/phrases resonate with you, kindly share them!)

Recently I read somewhere — although I can’t remember where or who said it, so this is a paraphrase — that instead of asking yourself how quickly you can move through something, the better question is, “How relaxed can I be while doing it?”

I think speaking the language of yoga just might be the answer.