The Costumes We Choose
The Halloween costumes of the 60s were resplendent in non-porous polyester. My Samantha the Good Witch costume had a startling lemon yellow wooly wig, a sweat-inducing plastic mask with a snappy band and a flame retardant nylon black dress. The entire costume was so hot I am surprised that I didn’t simply burst into flames. I was sweaty those toasty Georgia Octobers, but I also had fun. It was delightful to pretend to be someone else, to imagine that I had supernatural powers and to eat too much candy. I love the imagination of Halloween. We intentionally choose a mask or a costume and, for a short time, we become that character. But what about the rest of the year? We still wear masks, but it’s not always conscious, it’s sometimes a default response to a situation.
When I am with people that I know well, I am talkative and even funny. Put me in a room of strangers and I act like a character from Pride and Prejudice at a church tea. Why the disconnect? Simple: Self-protection. Those I know well know a fuller version of me. They will not be thrown by some salty language (thanks to years of being a military wife) followed by a sincere invitation to find your yoga and get outside (imperfect lightworker trying to help people be the best version of themselves).
Yoga can be just physical exercise.
OR Yoga can be exercise and a tool for self reflection and development. Both are good.
Masks or personas are not the problem. Lack of awareness is the problem. That is where yoga comes in. We balance and challenge the physical body while tuning into physical sensations. An awareness of the body gives us the information we need to practice safely and skillfully. The act of observing the physical helps us to pay attention to our thoughts, going deeper to our feelings and ultimately to the Spirit. We peel back the layers as we practice. The physical practice is often public, but the more significant work occurs privately in the individual’s mind and heart.
Nothing says Halloween like a hot, artificial wig. My protection detail saved me from an overly enthusiastic, chainsaw waving neighbor and various other roaming demons.
Halloween circa 2001/2002
As for me, I love the drama and fun of Halloween. The costumes we choose, like the masks we use, tell us something about our deeper selves. I have always chosen characters imbued with magical powers: Witches, mermaids, Mother Nature, Princess Leah and fortune tellers. This year I will be Elsa from Frozen. I have a sparkly blue dress and cape matched with a braided blonde wig. I live in Texas; it will be hot. Yet I will sparkle as I hand out candy, relishing the possibility of supernatural strength and a touch of magic.
Dress? Check. Cape? Check.
Blonde wig? Check.
Come Halloween I will be armed with candy and ready.