“Stillness is not the absence or negation of energy, life, or movement. Stillness is dynamic. It is unconflicted movement, life in harmony with itself, skill in action. It can be experienced whenever there is total, uninhibited, unconflicted participation in the moment you are in—when you are wholeheartedly present with whatever you are doing.”
~ Erich Schiffman – Yoga the Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness
I love the dynamism in this description of what stillness is. It becomes clear when yoga is a contemplative and spiritual practice, rather than a series of postures in an exercise class.
Stillness is not the same as exhaustion at the end of class when you lie in Savasana (corpse pose), perhaps filled with relief that it is over! Stillness is something that can be found throughout the practice and within each posture and transition along the way.
The best guide to see if you are moving towards stillness, is to notice if you are breathing steadily and fully throughout the practice.
Bringing awareness to our breath and the teacher’s breath reveals a lot. If the teacher can’t catch their breath to speak and guide you in a mindful way, then they aren’t moving into stillness either.
Find Your Middle Ground 
Not only did I enjoy reading this but it helped in terms of looking for a yoga teacher. Thanks Val!
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Thank you PAul. THE teacher’s presence is so important, especiallyif you are looking for a healing and moving into stillness 💛
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I’m paying attention to this now Val. Thanks.
The best guide to see if you are moving towards stillness, is to notice if you are breathing steadily and fully throughout the practice.
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Beautiful Dave. Awareness and using the breath to center ourselves is such a powerful way to get out of our heads and to become present 💝
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Thank you for sharing this. I learned something from it.
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Thank you Marlene for your kind words 💕
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Thanks for sharing 🙂 I know I struggle with finding stillness during my own yoga practice
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Thank you Tiffany. May your find your way to peace. 💕
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Yes this is so true. Thanks for sharing your wisdom Val 😀💕
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Thank you Karen. Wisdom is always worth sharing 💕
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Val, I took my first yoga class about twelve years ago, in my mid-50’s. I “signed up” specifically because someone had made the statement, to which I felt challenged, that as we age we automatically lose our balance. This alarmed me and off I went. From almost the very first class I recognized that this practice offered the opportunity for something much, much more than postures, balance, flexibility…there is something beautifully “still” that comes over me, and that I can’t do without. I am so glad this is something you’re encouraging. I can only wonder what would have been offered to me had I recognized this long before I did! 🙂
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A wonderful day insight Debra. Thank you for sharing 💛🙏💛
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The physical aspect is great, but it really is the stillness that keeps me coming back. 😉
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So true Eliza. Thank you for sharing this 💕
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For me, stillness = nothing pulling me out of THIS moment where I am fully present, immersed in the NOW.
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Fully immersed … without conflict or distraction. Yes❣️
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Val, I appreciate this beautiful and deep definition of stillness. It is what I most enjoy about my practice. The right teacher makes all of the difference, too. Namaste.
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Thank you Carrie for joining me in this appreciation 💕
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“Stillness is something that can be found throughout the practice and within each posture and transition along the way.” I needed this as I head into a quiet evening. Beautiful message, Val.
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Thank you Diana. When our whole day is a practice on living, we can cherish these moments of peace 💕
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