Post all this rain has been perfect timing for me to get out into nature. The colours of spring are rich and vibrant, a welcomed delight for my eyes. The whole sensory experience of being in natures penetrates right through to my heart making me feel happy and playful.
There are many things like nature that I have a great appreciation for from simply paying attention to the details. Appreciation, gratitude, thankfulness are just a few skills I am grateful for as I don’t want beautiful moments to pass by unnoticed. I want to soak up every possible chance to feel good, reduce stress, and be rejuvenated by endorphins triggering positive feelings in my body. And I soak in more of this every time I simply ‘be present’ at the moment. This is a part of what Yoga teaches and in modern language ‘Mindfulness’ is the buzzword.
From studying both traditional and modern takes on the Yogic teachings I find myself finally enjoying my way of practicing Yoga. Scientists and Researches are just a few proving what Yoga has shared for thousands of years, except this new approach for me has become refreshing and uplifting as I crave the need to change some ways I have believed Yoga to be.
Unless you have spent a lot of time in ashrams, hung out with a guru, the language of traditional Yoga has felt foreign and unattainable to me. Some traditional teachings have asked me to prove my loyalty to its lineage before secrets can be revealed. I had felt myself slipping away because of my desire to fit in. I would battle with confusion to why I was not worthy enough to be accepted. All this turmoil was present in my life because of the power words had on me, because of how much I wanted to believe all being said to me, and is said to myself was true.
As Alison and I get ready for our Genuine Voice workshop this Sunday, focusing on my own throat chakra I hear the conversational dance between my head and my heart, between what I think and what I feel. My self-talk is where I have to start addressing. No more blaming or listening to others around me but instead taking time to hear me. Self-study (Svadhyaya) is a great place to start. “Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world, today I am wise so I am changing myself” -rumi.
The more I learn, accept and change in me that which I have the power to change, builds the capacity to let go of blame and expectations of others. If I want to change then I have to review what I believe is true. ‘I won’t go to hell if I dance while meditating, or eat meat, or go shopping, want to earn good money. Yoga is finding inner peace, and you have to make peace with yourself first before you are the slightest bit capable of contributing to world peace.
Science shows under the right circumstances anybody can meditate, you don’t have to escape to the mountains, which does sound nice, but In my journey thus far, I am already witnessing that the path to sustainable happiness come from self-learning first. Only from my experience of walking through my own stuff have I truly been able to understand the journey others are on. A lot like ‘Becoming Comfortable with the Uncomfortable’ starts with being able to hold space for yourself. Once practiced, can you then be qualified to hold space for someone else. There is nothing worse than not being heard or able to speak when you are hurting.
I am creating space to let my voice find a balance so I can speak truth with compassion and empathy. As I keep inspiring myself, I am already experiencing how these learnings become the foundational understanding in supporting others. It just naturally ripples out… ‘You teach best what you most need to learn’
Awareness and mindfulness are essential in helping fine-tuning my inner and outer voice. Reawakening my innate capacity to see beauty is much easier to practice when I put myself in environments that are conducive. Like being in nature, reading good inspirational books, attending workshops, the people I hang around, all contribute to building such skills. Knowledge builds more confidence to act differently.
The more I take time out to connect with others I realize that it’s not just me, we are ALL going through similar stuff, trying to reach a similar goal. To be heard. To be understood. To be accepted. To be loved unconditionally…
Genuine Voice Workshop, Your Throat Chakra:
For more info https://www.facebook.com/events/514809048929726/
