In my various roles as a yoga teacher, coordinator, mother, wife and friend my highest goal is to be able to hold space for others. What does this mean? To me it means to create a space between you and another person where they feel safe, where they can be themselves without fear of judgement or feeling disempowered.
It requires stepping out of our own way, suspending our perspective and opinions and being totally present with an open heart. As humans we have this natural tendency to think we know what is best for others. We want to fix peoples problems or give them advice, or guide them in a direction we think they should go.
When we are holding the space we simply observe, from a quiet mind, our only role is to listen. It is a commitment that we make to put our own stuff to one side in order to support others in their growth and evolution. By allowing others to explore and fix their own problems and to make their own choices, it is an offering of our deepest love and support.
It is impossible to be a strong space holder unless we have others who will hold a similar space for us. Acknowledge and be thankful for the people that are in your life with whom you can be yourself, share yourself and with whom you can feel vulnerable and weak around without fear of judgement.
