A heartfelt offering

Although the practice of yoga that I teach is the physical aspect, yoga asana, there is also a large element of spirituality and mindfulness. The first few minutes of a yoga class lay the foundation for the next hour, so transitioning students into practice and out of the rest of their day is very important to me. One of my favorite ways to drop people into a loving, mindful and conscious space is to use a heartfelt offering.

In class I offer students the heartfelt offering below. I read one line, and then let them repeat that line either out loud or in their heads. I invite you to read these 12 lines, very slowly, intentionally. Pause after each line to let it sink in.

May I be safe and secure.
May I be healthy and strong.
May I be happy and peaceful.
May I know freedom.
May you be safe and secure.
May you be healthy and strong.
May you be happy and peaceful.
May you know freedom.
May all beings be safe and secure.
May all beings be healthy and strong.
May all beings be happy and peaceful.
May all beings know freedom.

Doesn’t that feel nice? How often during the day do we pray for ourselves? Even more, how often do we pray for all beings? My guess is that we could all take a moment to pause and pray more often. Comment below and share your experience with repeating the heartfelt prayer above.