Rejoice That You Are Still Standing
A lovely friend sent me this piece, and I shared it in class on Monday, only to learn that my friend had edited the first line! I had to laugh, and wonder once again, at the way the world works - never the way you expected!
Check out this offering from ullie-kaye (with an amendment from my friend):
piece of fire.
i have no new expectations for the year ahead.
just let me live the way that i know best.
let me feel the earth on my feet and rejoice that i am still standing.
let me listen to the waves of the sea and find peace in knowing that the tides always return to wash over me.
let me dream about sunsets that are not promised
and skies that are not always blue.
let me make love to conversations that bring me closer to knowing myself and closer to believing in something much bigger
than the four square walls of my own chest.
and let me rest.
oh lord, let me rest.
and should i be so blessed to have this place where i can grow, let me remember to give more than i receive.
to listen more than i speak.
and to understand that everyone is searching
for a little piece of fire.
may i take part in building that.
We are all longing for a little piece of fire, but our central source of fire, Senor Sol, is on winter holiday! The plants have withdrawn to the underworld, where Persephone has apparently retreated.
We, too, can benefit from inward practices during this phase of darkness. We're not quite cooked and need more time in the oven.
Five ways to nourish yourself this winter:
Sleep more. Deep sleep will allow you to heal your whole self. It's already dark outside, so go ahead and get in bed early. It's said that the hours of sleep before midnight are more beneficial than those after. Ayurveda suggests you are asleep by 10pm to catch the good sleep wave.
Take a bath. Soaking in warm or hot water is relaxing already. Why not make it even juicier by adding essential oils, epsom salts, candles or even music to your bathing ritual? Keep the lights low, for sure, to discourage visitors.
Enjoy warm drinks. For relaxation, stay away from caffeine and sweet drinks. Herbal teas can soothe and relax you. Some go-to calming herbs are camomile, lavendar, valerian, passion flower and ashwaganda. Avoid those last few if you are pregnant, but otherwise, enjoy holding the warm cup, watching the steam rise, and caring for yourself with the earth's gifts.
Receive a massage. Healing touch can soothe your entire self - the physical aches and tightness can find ease, your mind and nervous system relax, and you can connect more readily with the subtle parts of yourself that get closed off when you're stressed. If you prefer self-massage, look into abyanga, the ayurvedic warm-oil massage you can give yourself at home. Watch this short video to learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HQLsfZh5js
Practice Restorative Yoga. This can be a very simple practice, such as lying on the floor and elevating your legs on a chair, or taking them up the wall. Make your practice space soft, warm and quiet. Don't pretend you can relax in the middle of your busy household. You can deepen your experience by covering your eyes. For a fully supported practice, come to my Restorative class at 3 Oms, 5:30 on Thursdays.
This might be a ripe moment to schedule a yoga therapy session,
either in person or via Zoom, to explore the habits that are blocking access to your whole self.
The yogis call habits samskaras, and liken them to deep grooves in the road, into which we most easily fall, thus repeating the same patterns.
What is keeping you stuck now? Schedule here
Scholarship Opportunities
You may be in a position to help others. The poem's last lines acknowledge that "everyone is searching for a little piece of fire. may i take part it building that".
While you may be able to access retreat opportunities, other folks are held back by financial constraints. If you are able, please consider contributing to my scholarship fund. Over these past few years, I have been able to offer dozens of free yoga therapy sessions to people in need, because of donors' support. I have been able to help clients get back on their feet, confident and calm, as they begin to engage with their lives in a new way.
Click here to learn more.
https://catenrightyogatherapy.com/donate
Helpful Links
Last week referenced Rob Brezsney, whose movement called Pronoia has inspired me for years. He's also an impish, wry, intelligent astrologer.
Here's his newsletter link: https://freewillastrology.com/newsletter
I receive a "Jolt of Good News" every day from Good News Network. My skin isn't thick enough for other news sources, and my work in the world calls for me to focus on the lemonade, rather than the lemons.
Give this publication a try: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
I welcome your recommendations for this yoga therapy-centered audience. Send me your ideas and we can continue to build this community of healing.