Weekly Challenge
This is one of my go-to strategies when I need to smile
inspiration
Weekly Challenge—Week 2
I love keeping a gratitude journal. I have been keeping one for decades and credit it for helping me have a deep appreciation in my life regardless of the outer circumstances.
When I first learned about gratitude journals it was suggested to do them in the evening. However, I find first thing in the morning works better for me.
I would challenge anyone to try keeping one for 60 days and see what you discover.
Namaste
You Are Good Enough
How do you feel about your body?
In my university studies I came across some staggering statistics. Looking through several reports I learned the majority of women are unhappy with their bodies. Though percentages varied in different reports, the lowest one I found was 80% of women are unhappy with their bodies. Some studies reported the amount of dissatisfaction up as high as the mid 90s.
Though this occurs more frequently in women, men are not immune. The studies I have seen for men range from between 25-40% of men are unhappy with their bodies.
So, if you are unhappy with your body know that you are not alone.
I have also struggled with body image issues. Some days I still do.
As a new 7 week session of classes begins at my studioI know that some people will struggle to come to class because of how they feel about their body. Some might worry about what to wear. Some might feel they are too out of shape to come. Some might stress about keeping up or doing things ‘right’ (or how they look in certain poses) Some might think if they can lose a bit of weight first, then they’ll show up.
How do I know this? Because I have been there. I have wanted to try a new class or go to a new gym and had all of these this thoughts.
That is part of the reason why when I first decided to teach classes one priority was to offer classes for everyone—all ages, all abilities, all shapes, all sizes—You are welcome.
So, I invite you to come out to in-person classes, or try the virtual options. I want you to know that you are good enough just as you are. You are worthy of your own movement practice. I believe, movement practices should be joyful and fun.
Because I know that despite whatever words I say it can still be hard to show up, this year I will also start offering private sessions for those who might prefer to work one-on-one. These will be offered both virtually and in-person.
The past 6 months I have been working with Mark Walsh as a mentor. He has often said that sometimes it is too much for folks to love their body right now.
He says—If you can’t love your body, can you like your body? If you can’t like your body, can you be polite or civil to your body?
Maybe that is where to start today—just being polite to your body.
Maybe this week you will also join me for a class or two and a bit of joyful movement.
Maybe today you don’t quite believe in yourself, but know that I do.
Namaste
Morning Routines
This summer I aimed to cultivate a nurturing and nourishing morning routine to start my days. Before beginning I had a few ideas in mind, but also did some online searches and looked to people who inspire me.
Before I share what has become my morning routine I want add a couple words of encouragement.
When you see my routine you might think its a lot to add into a morning. I want to stress that I do not do all these things every day. Some mornings I do, some mornings I don’t. However, I have found that even adding two or three of these things greatly improves my mood, focus and wellbeing throughout the day.
I would also stress that the time allotted to each thing can vary greatly day by day. For example, some mornings might be a 15 minute meditation, while other mornings it might be a 1 minute meditation.
For me, the point of the morning routine is not to add more to my to-do list and beat myself up if I don’t check all the boxes. The point is to give myself a great start to my day with a little self-care before all the demands of life.
Finally, I will add that the order I do these things is a just rough framework. Some days I mix things up. Again, the important thing is to be kind and loving to myself, listening to what my needs each day
My Morning Routine
-Wake-up, my alarm is set to binaural beats
-Do a little body scan and breathwork
-Go to the kitchen for a tea, while waiting for tea step outside and greet the day (I often give my feathered friends a little food)
-Turn on essential oil diffuser with invigorating oils (for morning I particularly like citrus, mints, and rosemary)
-Go back to my bed for a meditation
-Mala beads with affirmation
-Cold Shower (see Wim Hoff’s website for more on this)
-Another tea, and some journalling
-Yoga or other movement
-Practice my French or Welsh
-Read poetry
-Move into my day
Now I know on paper this looks like a lot. Honestly, this morning routine can take 15 minutes or an hour. It really depends on what my day looks like, how many things I choose to do, and how long I choose to do each thing.
You might also notice that breakfast is not on this list. I am a big believer in the importance of breakfast. However, I am also a big believer in eating when you are actually hungry. As I tend to rise quite early I am just not hungry yet. The evening before I prep juice in my juicer, store it in a mason jar so it is ready for me in the morning, no work required. Usually when I start to move into my day I will grab this juice. Then, after working for a couple hours I will take a break for breakfast.
The point of this post is just one of reflection. I invite you to think about your morning routine. Is it nurturing? Is it nourishing? Does it give you a positive start to your day? Are there things you might like to do to tweak your mornings?
I encourage you to play with these ideas this month. I also invite you to like my Facebook page where over the next few weeks I will be posting some videos and going into a little more detail about the things that make up my morning routine https://www.facebook.com/LivingSkyYoga
Meditation—Just Do It
Do you know what I believe to be the best meditation practice? The one that works for you.
That’s it.
As I go deeper into my personal meditation practices I have been reflecting on my own meditation journey. I know with certainty that I had to start small and start easy. That’s what worked for me.
Perhaps, another method will work for you. That’s awesome. Embrace whatever works.
If however, you are like me and think small and easy is the answer I invite you to try meditating for just one minute a day. Give this a try for a day, or a week, or a month. Then reassess and see. Are you content staying at one minute? Or would you like to try a little longer?
I started my meditation journey with just one minute a day. It wasn’t long before I tried 2 minutes, then 5….
Over the years I have experimented with various types of meditation from guided to breath work, body scans, mantras, and recently have even been exploring death meditations.
In the beginning guided meditation is what worked for me.
I am a huge fan of the free app Insight Timer. You can easily use filters to find meditations based on length of time. You can also narrow searches to specific themes.
One of my favourite teachers is Robin Rice. She currently has 14 one-minute meditations to get you started.
https://insighttimer.com/robinrice/guided-meditations/1-minute-meditation-indulge-in-self-care
Another early option I tried was short mantra meditations. It can be a challenge for me to get out of my head. Focusing on the words of a mantra has been a great tool for me.
This is one of my favourites and just six minutes long
If you prefer silence, simply setting a timer and focusing on your inhales and exhales is a fabulous option.
Next week I will share some of the benefits of meditation, but this week if you are willing, I invite you to just be curious and explore some meditation. Embark on a little experiment and see what feels right for you.
Namaste