Sweet Release

I walk down the street…

A workshop with a poem to ponder.

I teach a workshop series called Sweet Release, that is intended to focus on an area of the body we can intentionally relax through the use of mindful movements, props, essential oils, and pranayama. The one pictured, was focused on lower back relief. In it, I shared a favorite poem of mine by Portia Nelson in which she was asked to write a summary of her life on 5 little note cards. It is rather brilliant, and I'd like to share it with you too.

Chapter 1:
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost — I am hopeless.
.... It isn't my fault.
.... It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2:
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
.... I can't believe I'm in the same place.
.... But it isn't my fault.
.... It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3:
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in — it's a habit
.... My eyes are open
.... I know where I am
.... It is MY fault.
.... I get out immediately.

Chapter 4:
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I walk around it.

Chapter 5:
I walk down another street.
- “Autobiography In Five Chapters” by Portia Nelson

This poem, as a life story, is powerful. This poem gives hope to moments that we feel we have fallen into a deep, endless cycle. The reason I chose to share this poem during a workshop on lower back relief is because when it comes to our body, we often find ourselves in cycles of pain that we don’t address - in our posture and our attitudes. Showing up to a yoga class about muscular release also provides an opportunity to release some mental and emotional habits that cause tension as well, and that is the power of choosing to show up for ourselves, as protagonist and not victim, to walk down a new street.