Sthira Sukham Asanam

“AHHHH” I scream in my office as a whack my ‘dammit doll’ on my desk.  This is a weekly if not daily occurrence, and not just for me, but my peers and team as well.

The great thing – I work with people that understand we all need to release tension, and behind closed doors is the best way to do it.  The ‘dammit doll' came from a peer with the intent to help you let go of your frustration in a ‘constructive’ way.  I know it isn’t very Yoga like, but it is incredibly therapeutic…

Monday was no different, with numerous concerns, and a line full of individuals finding their way into my office to cry, vent, and problem solve.  The only thing different on this Monday, over the weekend I spent 20 hours studying Yoga, specifically Sthira Sukham Asanam.

Sthira = steadiness with focus and concentration

Sukham = comfort and sweetness

Asanam = posture/pose

After being immersed in Yoga philosophy for days, it is quite the shock to go back to ‘normal life’.  I continued to listed to my team, give them support, but I also reflected on the imbalance of our focuses.  Rather than say “Yes, this is super frustrating, let it out with the 'dammit doll'…” I started asking my team (and myself) “What makes you happy at work?  Where is the sweetness within your day?”

In a competitive environment, it is imperative to be number one.  This is not only true in one metric, or function, but in everything.  If we do really well in one category, but not in two others, where do we spend our time?  The sad thing is, if we do not nurture our win and celebrate, maybe all three metrics will go back down since we are so focused on things we are struggling with.

I am not proposing we should all think of the world as a perfect place, and not have drive to raise the bar.  That is where Sthira is essential.  Focus and steadiness in any business is key, and I am an individual that LOVES goals and results. 

I am proposing we find a compromise, and that we do not forget the Sukham in everyday life.  I have team members that are not comfortable.  They are afraid.  They are afraid to fail and they have lost the joy in what they do.  Just as on the mat, if you are strong enough to do a handstand, but you are so afraid of going upside down, you will struggle to get up, and if you do, you will not enjoy it.  Both Sthira and Sukham are needed for any activity, on and off the mat.

I still will use my ‘dammit doll', but before I offer it up, I am going to work on being a Sukham coach – helping others and myself find the sweetness and joy, in even the most difficult poses.

Where could you use a bit more Sthira in your life?  How about some Sukham?