Schedules. We had schedules. Places to be, projects, commitments, appointments, routines etc. We were busy, busy, busy, most of the time. Until this week. In the matter of a few days, we are not busy. We are home. At least most of us. Which makes me pause and really think about all of the people who are not home and how incredibly grateful I am for the healthcare professionals, first responders, grocery store workers, gas station attendants, bankers, police officers, postal workers, delivery men and women, farmers, truck drivers, and all the other essential workers who are showing up, every day, to keep people healthy and keep the world moving during these very unsettling times. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
I want to help too, in any way! I want to help. For me, that's through yoga. You know, years ago I began practicing yoga after simply joining in with a group of friends who were going to a hot yoga class. In that first class, we lined up in the back row of the class, got "shushed" by the "real yogi's" for giggling and had absolutely no clue about proper yoga etiquette. Did I even own a yoga mat?? I honestly don't remember. We made it through the class not knowing what a Sun Salutation was or the slightest idea what a Chaturanga was and the idea of Savasana was completely foreign to us. I do, however, remember loving the music!! Music to me is one of the best things in the world and I am drawn to any and all of it. It was a Power Hot Yoga class and we were completely sweaty afterwards. We took selfies to document the class and headed to Starbucks. I never really imagined yoga beyond that day. Fast forward many years later, and several yoga instructor trainings later, and here I am writing my first blog on my own yoga website. Life is really interesting with its twists and turns, backbends and forward folds. Now, I try my best to share what my teachers have passed on to me, in the best ways I can. Every day, I am a student. I am grateful for that first yoga class and the journey that began from there. And, now, here we are, in the midst of a pandemic. Personally, I am relying on my own practice of yoga to help settle my anxiety, keep me flexible, mentally and physically, and remind me that the present moment is the only place to be. It helps me digest what is going on and brings a feeling of peace, if even for a few moments. I've heard it said that "chaturanga is not digestion, it's a pose." So true. Yoga, to me, is not really all about the physical poses like chaturanga. To me, it is a combination of all of it. The mindfulness, the breath, the asanas (ok, yes, chaturanga), and the spirituality. This journey inward that helps me navigate through life's waves. Someone told me once that "life comes at you". I believe that life is now coming at us for sure.
Now I ask, how are you doing? Take a moment and think about that. How are you really doing?? Maybe the following mindfulness exercise can help (read it through first, then give it a try).
Find a quiet place to sit. Get comfortable. Gather some pillows, blankets, cushions, etc. Sitting up tall, begin to place one hand on your heart and one hand on your belly. Try closing your eyes (or finding a soft place to gaze just ahead of you). With the lips softly together, begin to move the breath in and out through the nose. Relaxing through the face and down through the body. Now, bring your attention to your breath. Noticing the gentle rise and fall of the body as you breathe. Notice how the body rises to meet the hands with the inhale. Follow the breath as it leaves the body,softly surrendering into what is in this moment.
Now, check in. Begin to ask yourself "how am I?" Acknowledge whatever comes up for you. Are you tired? Are you anxious? Are you happy and content to be home? It's okay to feel whatever it is that comes up for you. Then gently guide your attention back to the breath. Is the breath shallow and quick or is it long and steady? Notice. Then begin to tell yourself, that in this moment, you are alive. In this moment, you are well. In this moment, you are breathing...you are safe. Repeat these reminders a few times to yourself. Allow yourself to stay here for as long as it feels good. Then softly flutter the eyes open...and smile.
Here we are. Apart, but together. Stay connected. Stay grounded. Breathe. I will be here, cleaning, organizing, napping, baking, reading, listening to music, watching way too much Netflix, trying a new talent (like, say, writing a blog) and trying not to eat all my quarantine snacks at once.
Om Namaste,
Michelle
Comments