Recently a new client said to me these last eight months of covid have been devastating to her mental and physical health. She desperately wants to turn the momentum around and never let herself slump into this state ever again. She had a fire in her eyes and I knew her intention was strong. After our session together she had a plan and felt confident she would succeed. She looked ten years younger than at the beginning of the class. What is it about yoga, meditation and breath work that inspire this change even in the midst of tough life conditions? How can one start to make positive lifestyle changes and follow through with confidence? Can these practices really make you happier? More contented? Reading this blog will not change your life. But practicing yoga, meditation and breath work consistently over time will. I guarantee it. After doing regular meditation, yoga and Breathwork practice in different configurations over the last 35 years I have never appreciated its value like I do in these turbulent times. Looking up social media, hearing the news and even speaking with friends is like putting your mind and emotions into a blender. Society and history are swirling like a hurricane of unprecedented events. Abiding in that swirl can be a frightening, depressing and maddening experience whatever your circumstances. However at the center of even the deadliest hurricane there is an eye. The eye is still, calm and safe. It is a temporary refuge before and after the storm. Life gives us many storms to weather so finding and abiding in the eye of the hurricane is something to learn and practice if we are to weather these uncertain times. Yoga, meditation and Breathwork practice take you to the eye of the hurricane. I cannot imagine my life without my practice. Some people call it an escape from reality. I call it an inscape to a more subtle reality. It nourishes, energizes and leaves me feeling happier, more contented and less influenced by external circumstances. To me, drugs, tv, alcohol, depression, anxiety, drama, internet, Facebook, etc are the escapes we must be careful to not abuse. They do not have a long lasting positive effects. These activities can deplete your energy and even feed the problem. Next week I celebrate 500 days of continuous breath work practice. Each morning I spend between 25 - 60 minutes focusing on my breath. These 500 days have guided me into a deep contentment and stability through even the worst days of covid and political turmoil. None of us escape the challenging turmoil of growing up and old. I love to share with you my insights and techniques that I am constantly honing. I want you to be inspired to start or continue your practice - even on those days when you don’t want to. If you design a practical doable practice and stay with it you will:
It is predictable - what you focus on gets bigger, what you practice makes you stronger and what you do every day changes you. With a new potential wave of the virus and more uncertainty ahead consider the possibility of beginning a daily practice of yoga, meditation, Breathwork or a combination and see where the journey takes you. I can help you plan, facilitate online classes, share videos with you and support you when you feel stuck. Start small, stick with it and start now!
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Why Do Yoga at Home?Since Covid-19 my clients have discovered that doing live-stream yoga is: Archives
August 2024
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