I often say that the opposite of depression is not happiness but vitality. Andrew Solomon
In first aid four vital signs prove you are alive: heart rate, breathing, temperature and blood pressure. But how do you define ‘vitality’? The dictionary says ‘ the power giving continuance of life, present in all living things’ or ‘the state of being strong and active; energy’. Yogi Bhajan thought vitality was the ability to act consciously conscious and authentically while being emotionally flexible and available to the entire universe of emotions expressing compassion, courage and kindness.
There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. Martha Graham
Yogi Bhajan said vitality was a quality of our spirit and always within us. At our maximum vitality our communication, emotions, feelings and responses flow smoothly and freely. We are most present and our presence is most potent. We live a life of ease, in flow, of spontaneity.
Too often when I ask ‘how are you?’ It saddens me to hear ‘surviving’ not ‘thriving’. Energy can neither be created or destroyed and vitality is innate, however stress is a constraining force limiting the flow of life. By removing blockages vitality returns. Kundalini yoga is particularly effective to elicit these changes even after one class. Why do I practice it?
I want to keep my attractiveness as long as I can. It has to do with vitality and energy and interest. Jacqueline Bisset
