Theme for October: Serenity Through Gentle Discipline
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Gentle discipline is that which allows us to tune into and actually hear the whispers of our own heart.
It's not loud, not very flashy, and consist of tiny efforts strung together with awareness and love.
It's simple and humble, guided by self-honoring - and likely consists of some form of daily bodymind practice aimed at feeling into your body and breath, and clear the dust off the mirror of your heart.
These kinds of practices help us access and mend the structures of the wounded self back to wholeness, giving us access to a sense of choice and agency amidst the chaos of life, and a connection to our potential for inner peace.
To cultivate your own inner compass towards your best and happiest inner self is to spend a little time daily listening and syncing up with yourself, so that you can get sensitized, and even reverential, towards your own experience.
Here is a simple formula for daily practice, which could consist of 5 poses/day held anywhere from 5-20 breaths so you have time to feel into your body, deepen your breath, discover what needs your care, and release anything that’s gotten stuck physically or energetically. And yes, Shavasana counts.
Sitting or laying down, begin by doing a simple body scan. Beginning at the crown on the head and travel through your body, feel into each body part specifically and release any tension as you go along. This is an important first step as it supports the transition from the thinking mind, into your feeling body.
Next, feel into what’s under the surface for the past few hours, or days, or even weeks. What emotions have been feeling? feel into what’s there with a sense of curiosity. This tells you where you’re at today and what’s real for you. There are no wrong feelings or answers. Bring love to wherever is hurting or aching.
Then, shift your awareness towards observing your breath. Again shifting from the thinking mind into the feeling body, focus on lengthening your exhales at first, as this will naturally lead to deeper and longer inhales.
Deep and long breaths teach your mind not to cling - but to stay in focus, awareness, reverence, and flow. In time, your breath will reveal to you the true nature of pain. Our inner compass begins to get clearer.Lastly, begin to transition into taking yoga shapes/postures. Long holds are wonderful for deep releasing of energies through the body; and moving faster or stronger helps build resilience. Yoga poses are powerful, they build focus, strength, flexibility while clearing out from your organs and tissues out old emotions, trauma and karma.
Yoga is a technique and skill set that offers serenity through gentle discipline. In time it fosters the capacity for discernment, insight, service, generosity, and clarity of perception.
I know that gentle discipline is part of the medicine I am needing and pursuing for myself these days, and I’m so honored and grateful for those of you choosing to be in this practice with me.
I honor you and wherever you are on your journey.
with love,
Natasha.
* I don’t post everything I write to this blog or website, if you are interested in receiving more from me, do sign up for my weekly newsletter, which is crafted with the intention to ease your mind and nervous system, and gently nudge you back towards your mat in pursuit of health, and the sources of joy, wholeness, and wisdom, within you.
