The Nix Fix: Unrolling & Unfolding
Several times a week, I make my way to Luna Yoga, walking through the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal. The steps are familiar, almost a prelude to practice, and by the time I reach the second floor, the hum of the city below fades, replaced by quiet anticipation. I step inside, and there it is—the quiet, simple ritual that begins every practice: unrolling my mat.
The studio is small and intimate, the kind of space where every breath feels shared. Around me, mats unfurl one by one. The soft rustle of fabric, the quiet settling of others’ mats, the collective inhale and exhale—it’s a rhythm we create together.
When I unroll my mat, I notice how it lands and settles into place. Sometimes it's perfectly aligned, smooth, and ready; other times, the edges curl stubbornly, refusing to lie flat. Isn’t the mind the same? Some days it feels spacious, open to what’s to come; other days, it resists, clinging to old creases and patterns. Still, we unroll, because the unfolding doesn’t happen all at once—it happens breath by breath.
On the mat, we meet ourselves exactly where we are. Tight hamstrings, wandering thoughts, heavy hearts—whatever arises is part of the practice. We don’t force it into neatness, just as we don’t demand the mat to flatten instantly. Instead, we invite softening. We allow unfolding.
“Unfolding” suggests something already present, waiting quietly beneath the surface. Like a flower opening in its own time, or a story revealing itself page by page, yoga invites us to witness what is already within. We don’t create peace, balance, or clarity; we make the space to uncover them.
Some days, the unfolding feels expansive—finding strength or balance in a pose. Other days, it’s subtler—simply noticing the mind’s chatter soften for a breath or two. Both are worthy. Both are enough. The practice isn’t about chasing peak experiences; it’s about showing up with curiosity, alongside our community.
And here’s the beautiful paradox: what unfolds on the mat often mirrors life. The patience we practice with our bodies becomes patience with ourselves and others. The steadiness we find in a balancing pose quietly informs the steadiness we bring to life’s unexpected moments. Acceptance of a mat that doesn’t lie perfectly flat reflects acceptance of life’s imperfections.
So, the next time you unroll your mat, take a quiet moment to notice what unfolds—not just in the poses you hold or the breath you take, but in the space you create for yourself. In that small, intentional act, there’s room for curiosity, patience, and perhaps a little surprise. Each mat, each breath, each unfolding carries a gentle reminder: even the simplest gestures can hold the possibility for something new to emerge.
Unroll. Unfold. Breathe. Together.
Namaste
Nix
