Wholehearter Yoga

Last night, under the final full moon of 2020, I wrote a list of things I wanted to release and then I burned it. (Holy cow, it was a substantial list! ) We all carry such heaviness...it’s no wonder that each time I do this practice, I feel physically lighter in my chest. I then prayed and set an intention for the next 28 day cycle: to stay present. Being present is always an underlying goal for me, but it’s been especially challenging this year and always this time of yea...r. After Christmas and in to February feels difficult for me. It seems like all of the negative thoughts I didn’t think over the past year catch up with me and culminate into feelings of unrest, disconnection, questioning self-worth, sadness...etc. This year, I had planned on breaking that cycle for myself by traveling to Hawaii during this time (), so now I have to figure out how to do it a different way. I am using these next 28 days (or more) as a sadhana practice, or specific daily spiritual practice. Here are a few important ways I’ll be practicing: Whenever possible, each time I feel a sense of urgency, I intend to close my eyes and breathe until it passes. I will move forward from a place of patience. Anytime I pick up my phone, I will label why. (i.e. I am checking the weather, I’m feeling uncomfortable/lonely/bored...etc) Even if it’s just a few minutes, I will practice meditation every day. Anyone else historically dislike New Years? How are you moving forward in to 2021?

Yesterday felt really painful for me. I’m incredibly fortunate that this is my first year experiencing a holiday season with a heavy heart. I always have a ton to be grateful for but this year brought a lot of grief and sadness along with it as well. Today, I’m taking the time to process and mourn these painful feelings and losses. I feel them in my neck, my shoulders, my stomach. So I let my body direct this time and space to reconnect with all 5 senses. Including: lots of ...candles, affirmation card, incense, crystals, photos, a heating pad, sandbags, pillows, blankets and strong coffee.

4 postures for tension headaches. I’ve been struggling with headaches the past few days and I know that a lot of it is due to pent up stress and tension in my neck, traps and shoulders. Though it might seem contrary, often one of the best remedies for headaches is getting upside down or letting the head and neck hang in some way, which is the theme here. ... Headstands are definitely the most helpful for me, but when I don’t feel like it, Dolphin Pose (headstand prep) is my close second. It increases blood flow to all the muscles that need it most and stimulates acupressure points on the crown of your head. It also offers a bit of really important shoulder blade awareness...pull them back and down away from your ears for the best stretch.

I’ve always had a huge aversion to politics. HUGE. I dislike the drama, the stereotypes, the one-sided arguments and the generally accepted lack of respect for/from both sides. I have felt frustrated that I don’t identify with or fully support either party and I have felt afraid to form opinions that might differ from friends and family who I respect. I also used to believe that politics did not belong in my spiritual path, but who was I kidding? How could it be separated?... I now see that in many ways, healthy political opinion necessitates the lens of spirituality to act as a unifying force. So I’ve been learning more and reading tons and forming what I feel are educated opinions. At times, history seems too vast for me to grasp and sifting for Truth feels overwhelming. But I don’t believe that ‘trusting my gut’ is enough in terms of supporting, opposing or electing government. I still don’t like any of it it, but I’m taking responsibility. I’ve been reading (and HIGHLY recommend) Healing the Soul of America, by Marianne Williamson. It was originally published in 1997, but is incredibly relevant for today. Below is a powerful excerpt: The past teaches us, most important, that the movement of history in a positive direction can never, ever be taken for granted. Yet our generation did take it for granted. As inheritors of our Founders’ vision, we just seemed to assume that the vision was being looked after by someone. We figured showing up to vote every 4, maybe every 2 years, would be enough. But the Founders’ vision is of a country governed by its citizens, and citizens who do not vigorously think about their government will end up governed by someone else. And that’s us exactly what has happened. Somebody is always pointing a finger, it seems, saying he, she, or they are the enemies of America, when in truth, our greatest enemy is that pointed finger. Let us not be so addicted to the pure adrenaline rush of contemporary culture that we fail to rebel against the erosion of our democracy.

Caroline Myss speaks about congruency as the goal of the healing path, consciousness, or spirituality. She says, Congruency can take many forms, but in essence you are congruent when your beliefs match up with your everyday actions and your spiritual practice. Say what you believe and believe what you say; act on your belief and follow through on guidance that comes from inner reflection. It’s harder than it sounds. In order to practice congruency, every single daily choi...ce and action must be fully conscious. If any of our words, thoughts or actions originate from a place of unawareness, we’ve lost congruency. If left unattended for long enough, we will eventually feel those incongruities show up within the body in some way. A very simple example would be: knowing that you need to have a challenging conversation with someone and choosing to not act. Avoidance may manifest in tense shoulder muscles (feeling overwhelmed), sore throat (lack of honest communication), or stomach pain (ignoring that gut instinct). When you know that you know that you know you have a need, or an urge, or a pull...it’s never worth it to give your ego time to mull it over and talk yourself out of action. You will end up bumping up against the same painful challenge over and over again until you either move forward or crumble. Congruency requires full surrender and moment-to-moment trust, not at all in yourself, but in God.

Picked up this book randomly at the library (because #2020) and it feels like a lifeline lately. This book has chapters and sections on things like color and energy, freedom, harmony, play, renewal...etc. All backed by amazing anecdotes, history and research. Has anyone else read this Joyful?