Awakening Lila! Awakening Playfulness!

In our fast-paced, goal-driven lives, it’s easy to lose sight of the simple joy of play. By coming back to our mats over and over again, there is a powerful concept that invites us to reconnect with our innate creativity and joy. This concept is known as Lila.

Lila, in Sanskrit, translates to “divine play.” It is a reminder that life itself is an unfolding dance, a beautiful and spontaneous act of creation. The spirit of Lila encourages us to step back from our schedules, responsibilities, and goals and approach life with an open-hearted curiosity, much like a child would. By embracing Lila, we reconnect with the pure joy of living in the moment, free from judgment or expectation.

The Power of Play in Healing and Transformation

When was the last time you let yourself be truly playful? We often think of play as something reserved for children, yet we adults need play just as much—maybe even more so. Playfulness is a natural antidote to stress and the feeling of being “stuck.” When life starts to feel rigid or monotonous, Lila offers a way out. By inviting play into our lives, we shift our energy, sparking the creativity and resilience we need to move through challenges with grace.

In our yoga practice, this might mean exploring a pose with a sense of fun rather than striving for perfection, or it could be trying something new without the fear of “getting it wrong.” When we approach life and our practice with the energy of Lila, we allow ourselves to laugh, to stumble, and to experience life in its fullness.

Lila Awakens Our Creativity

Creativity is essential to personal growth and healing, but stress, worry, and self-doubt can block our creative energy. Lila reminds us to cultivate our creativity by letting go of the need for control. Just like a dancer loses themselves in the rhythm, Lila invites us to lose ourselves in the process, focusing not on the outcome but on the joy of self-expression. Remember Lee Ann Womak’s words of wisdom… “if you get the chance to sit it out or dance I hope you dance.”

By infusing our lives with Lila, we allow ourselves to take risks, try new things, and open up to the unexpected. This is the path to creative freedom—a path where we move from a place of flow and intuition rather than fixed expectations.

Practicing Lila: Bringing Playfulness to Everyday Life

Here are some simple ways to weave Lila into our daily routines and bring a little more playfulness into our lives:

Dance Like No One’s Watching: Whether you’re home alone or surrounded by friends, put on your favorite song, close your eyes and let yourself dance freely. It’s a powerful release and a reminder that joy lives in movement. My teacher Prekash at Triguna Ashram in Rishikesh India would wake up every morning to a “dancing meditation”. See Triguna Yoga
Try Something New: Take a risk and allow yourself to get a little muddy! Experiment with a new yoga pose, and do something that you would typically say “no” to. Being open and spark your curiosity and playfulness.
Laugh and Let Go: Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself. Next time you stumble, literally or figuratively, try embracing it with a smile. Lila is about shedding perfectionism and embracing life’s imperfections with joy.
Schedule ‘Play’ Time: This might sound counterintuitive, but in a busy world, intentionally setting aside time to play is essential. Whether it’s painting, dancing, or exploring a creative hobby, commit to a little playtime each day.

Lila on the Yoga Mat

Our yoga practice is a beautiful space to embody Lila. Rather than seeing each pose as a challenge to master, approach it as an exploration. Feel the stretch, breathe deeply, and notice how it feels to move without expectation. Allow your practice to flow, welcoming any spontaneous movements or feelings that arise. This is where true creativity and freedom are born, right in the present moment.

In embracing Lila, we remind ourselves that life doesn’t always have to be serious. Through play, we find joy, resilience, and an endless wellspring of creativity. So, the next time you step onto your mat or into your day, invite a spirit of playfulness and see where it leads.

If you want to find the balance between playfulness and structure in your practice, join Yoga Awakening with Sue see all classes and Wake Up and Manifest with Sue HERE