We are deeply connected with nature, yet in our current culture and society we don't often make time to be with the wild in a deep way. And we are missing out on something great when we just "consume" instead of "commune with nature.
A Clearing Meditation on Letting Go + Death for Winter
It's Dia De Los Muertos, we just had Halloween and it's the Samhain/Sowen season OR the exhale part of the year as I like to call it. We've entered into Winter, and tomorrow daylight savings time will officially make it feel even more so with shorter days and longer nights.
I love the downward turn nature provides as a reminder to S-L-O-W D-O-W-N and do less. I've been turning off my computer and silencing my phone a bit earlier these days, and I encourage you to do the same. It is hard in our modern lives, and a lot of folks really struggle this time of year. I encourage you to let go of the need to accomplish anything right now unless absolutely necessary, and instead focus on just BEING as ENOUGH -- even if that feels against what you are accustomed to, or makes you feel lazy. This is the core essence of true self care. To rest and listen to nature, instead of fighting against it. Where there is resistance ... there is a teacher, something to be learned and explored.
This week in my classes, and in this month's meditation I've focused on the powerful teacher of Death and the process of letting go.
Death is likely to be the most or one of the most avoided topics, yet the process of connecting closely with Death and letting go as a teacher can offer some of the most powerful lessons for our lives. They can teach us how to be more alive --- and present.
Happy Autumn Equinox + Setting Healthy Boundaries
Happy Autumnal Equinox! On Monday the daylight and night hours are equal, which is always to me the most clear outward signal of the descent into the fall and winter seasons. Although here in the Bay Area it can get confusing since our weather turns summer-like! But, regardless of temperature or weather the waning daylight hours are a signal from mother nature to set our boundaries and prioritize how we are spending our precious time. We slowly begin to have less light day by day until Winter Solstice later in December which means your system is beckoning you to slow down.
Amidst the busy-ness of life it is a great time of year to get clear. What is working and what isn't. What little thing can you start to do to make yourself feel at more ease with the demands of your life? For me it's all about good boundaries. Because the fall (like the spring) can have a frenetic energy about it at times from the external world. Doing one thing just for you each day (it can be simple!) makes a difference. And letting go of those habits or activities (and sometimes even the people) who run us ragged when we can will give you back so much.
If you can on Monday try to be outside for the sunrise and sunset.
And here is this month's meditation on setting healthy boundaries (yes this even applies to a meditation and mindfulness practice, and can even start from this place and work its way into all facets of your life!).
Summer Meditation - Feeling Into Agitation, Anger + Joy
Happy Late Spring/Early Summer Yogi(ni)s,
I just recorded my latest mediation offering on how to allow intense emotions, feelings and frustrations move through us. I've been noticing this a lot lately in classes. As we move into the summer season we can easily waiver between feeling light and fun and frankly just pissed off.
This practice will actually allow you to eventually move toward joy. There are no shortcuts! We often want to think our way through emotions, and process the stories over and over again. But at some point we have to allow these emotions, and even the pain be felt - in order to move through it and get on the other side.
This time of the year in particular I notice my anger start to flare up more, and my passions too. Especially when it seems like everything is falling apart. This is a cue into what you care about, and our work is to not push aside these emotions. How do we dance with them? And let it all change us, and bring us closer to ourselves?
Expand Your Senses + Add More Depth in Your Practice
Expanding our senses is one of the most powerful ways to find more depth and meaning in both everyday life and in the yoga practice. When we are kids our senses are wide open as we explore things often for the first time. But as we get older we lose this sense of wonder with the natural world, and literally cut ourselves off from both seeing and feeling deeply. It is hard to take in everything around us actually --- from the struggles of those around us to the latest political news. It feels safer to shut things out so we can get on with our lives.
There is a third way. We can both expand our senses and wake up to more feeling inside and all around us, with compassion and empathy for ourselves and others. It means you will feel more, and it definitely means you have to create stronger boundaries if you notice something is zapping your energy and not doing you any good to continue.
I have a practice of no social media or news on Saturdays, and I do not work on that day.
And I've begun the practice of not looking at my phone when I am in transit (the transition times) to try and create little pockets of space where I can take a few breaths in and out and be present.
What is one way that you can create a boundary for yourself and your energy in your life --- so you can expand your senses and not get burnout?
In my latest guided meditation I offer a short practice that will help you tap even more into your senses, and we start off with a nice calming breath practice which can help soothe your system too.
Sending you ease yogi(ni)s, and see you on the mat soon!