A while back we changed the name of the Let It Go Yoga class to the Surrender Series. We felt that the Let It Go Yoga poses invoked a feeling of acceptance and allowing. As you practice with your eyes closed and go inward, paying close attention to your breathing and watching your thoughts, you are transported into the present moment. A place of letting go of the conditioning of past and the expectations of the future.

We had such a negative reaction to the word surrender that within a few months we dropped the name. It seemed the word surrender had too many triggers that were unintended. Too many people thought of surrender as giving up, or becoming passive or indifferent.

So, what is the difference between surrender and giving up? One of my favorite spiritual teachers, Mike Dooley, in one of his daily Facebook videos, had this to say on the subject: “Surrendering is allowing – giving up is closing the door. Surrendering is having a dream but not attaching to how it’s going to show up. Surrendering is not about letting go of desires. It’s about letting go of how those desires are going to show up. Surrendering is about living your life and taking action – it’s not about waiting. Surrender is being happy for no reason, giving up is always because of a reason (being attached or dependent on circumstances), Surrender, very simply, is love, giving up is fear.”

One could come to that clarity through meditation or painting, or even cleaning your house, anything that brings you into the present moment. But years ago, when I experienced the wonder of surrender through Let It Go Yoga, I was enthralled with how well life worked when I was able to maintain the state of surrender. Surrender had such a profound effect on me that I felt drawn to change my career and teach the Let It Yoga practice to others. It has been hard for me to explain to others just how powerful the true act of surrender can be. Teachers like Mike Dooley and Eckhart Tolle have talked about it. Poets and philosophers have captured its essence, yet there is nothing that compares to experiencing the beauty of surrender for oneself.

Over the years Let It Go Yoga has shown me time and time again that life works out best if I can accept and allow. I feel grateful that I have been able to accept circumstances and sustain a useful purpose. I do not give up or deny reality. I still feel compassion for others and offer help where needed. Surrendering into this situation has taught me many lessons on letting go.

Let It Go Yoga has the added benefit of showing you where you need to focus. It points out what parts of your body are needing your attention. For example, as you learn to let go of the tension in your shoulders, you may discover other areas of your life where you are “shouldering” tension that can be more relaxed. As you let go and surrender into the poses you just might transcend the past and the future and realize that all is well in the present moment.

Let It Go Yoga is a great way to train yourself to understand the difference between giving up and surrender.

Sue Anne Parsons 500 EYT, CYT – owner of Let It Go Yoga since 1986

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