Taking time to un-plug (like really step away from work and Instagram and mothering and running errands and caring and cooking for everyone and incessantly tidying this damn house) is one of my essential tools for mental-health and creativity.
Thank you for the time that you spend writing the Sunday letters. Today's letter stuck with me as I was taking my early morning walk. It dawned on me how much I, myself cause the feeling of being overwhelmed. I cannot change the state of politics (I can vote), the cost of food or even losing teaching yoga due to the pandemic.
But I can learn to be quieter, calmer and not stay continually "plugged in". To be honest, even though I have practiced and taught for over 20 years, I am the worse Savasana student even now being retired (what do I have to go do that is so important!. I am inspired today to start practicing savasana with regularity. Of course, I will have to write that on my daily to-do list so I can check it off!
Thank you for your inspiration and also for reducing the price of the Savasana class. I know the work behind the scenes that teachers put in to preparing classes so it is a very generous offer.
Yes! Same here. Thanks for writing this down. I'm taking a Yin course online to refresh, as I've not taught since a big move in 2018 as well as hip pain that eventually got me full hip replacement surgery in 2020 prior to COVID lockdowns. The teacher reminded us that life can be so Yang. I took a good look at work- deadlines! Get it done! And perfectly! And my own expectations of myself- trying to get so much done outside of day job...and I am adding more Yang. I need to stop and notice when I hold my breath, what is going on, start to breathe...take sacred time out for me. Thanks Lizzie for these posts!
I like the allusion to the savasana beach time off because the first time I’ve been able to completely get rested (outside of night sleep) was my first nap at the beach and I couldn’t stop myself from going as much as I could when on vacation.
It is so smooth the sand and malleable you can literally make yourself comfortable with only sand as a prop.
I have learned to get into a deep relaxation state naturally on the beach and it is strange because I never made the allusion to if in my teaching or practice.
Thanks for reminding me. Yesterday I was having a hard time in my yoga nidra practice to get away from my “speedy brain” but now I got the picture to visualize for my next restorative practice: lying on the beach!!
Thank you for the time that you spend writing the Sunday letters. Today's letter stuck with me as I was taking my early morning walk. It dawned on me how much I, myself cause the feeling of being overwhelmed. I cannot change the state of politics (I can vote), the cost of food or even losing teaching yoga due to the pandemic.
But I can learn to be quieter, calmer and not stay continually "plugged in". To be honest, even though I have practiced and taught for over 20 years, I am the worse Savasana student even now being retired (what do I have to go do that is so important!. I am inspired today to start practicing savasana with regularity. Of course, I will have to write that on my daily to-do list so I can check it off!
Thank you for your inspiration and also for reducing the price of the Savasana class. I know the work behind the scenes that teachers put in to preparing classes so it is a very generous offer.
Be well and take care.
Brenda
Rockport Massachusetts
Thanks for the reply, Brenda. Totally relate. Perhaps try journaling with these questions from Jerry Colonna:
“In what ways do I deplete myself and run myself into the ground?”
“Where am I running from and where am I running to?”
“Why have I allowed myself to be so exhausted?”
“How is ‘being busy’ serving me?”
Thank you ...such perfect questions.
Yes! Same here. Thanks for writing this down. I'm taking a Yin course online to refresh, as I've not taught since a big move in 2018 as well as hip pain that eventually got me full hip replacement surgery in 2020 prior to COVID lockdowns. The teacher reminded us that life can be so Yang. I took a good look at work- deadlines! Get it done! And perfectly! And my own expectations of myself- trying to get so much done outside of day job...and I am adding more Yang. I need to stop and notice when I hold my breath, what is going on, start to breathe...take sacred time out for me. Thanks Lizzie for these posts!
You're so welcome. Hang in there, Caryne
Love this - thank you
I like the allusion to the savasana beach time off because the first time I’ve been able to completely get rested (outside of night sleep) was my first nap at the beach and I couldn’t stop myself from going as much as I could when on vacation.
It is so smooth the sand and malleable you can literally make yourself comfortable with only sand as a prop.
I have learned to get into a deep relaxation state naturally on the beach and it is strange because I never made the allusion to if in my teaching or practice.
Thanks for reminding me. Yesterday I was having a hard time in my yoga nidra practice to get away from my “speedy brain” but now I got the picture to visualize for my next restorative practice: lying on the beach!!
I will sure rest and relax this week.
Have a good one!
Yes! Glad to make the connection with you, Marie-Pier.