Over the past few years, one of the greatest lessons for me has been understanding and accepting that I cannot take away another person’s pain. I cannot have their experience for them. And it works both ways, no one can remove my pain for me. 

With everything that’s happening in the world right now, I want to help. I am here to help… but I truly believe that this is a time for each of us to step up and become the master of our own existence. Who are we? How are we showing up? What do we need to do to let go of pain? 

Are You Letting Yourself Be? 

Please understand my intention in writing this is to invite you into your power, not to sound dismal. It’s time for each of us to tune into the feedback from our body, tune into our deeper essence, and really determine what is best for us. 

I understand this time is intense and challenging. It’s nearly impossible to make it through the day without a news report or experience triggering fear or emotion. 

My question to you is: What if this is a gift? What if we are being triggered so we don’t have to hold this shit inside anymore? 

Are you focussing a lot of your energy on finding a way to ‘make it stop’, to escape the way you feel? Me too. Sometimes. But then I remember that feeling and acceptance is the way through. 

You don’t have to do it all at once. You don’t have to do it alone. Little by little, we can each practice being a little more honest with ourselves and each other about what we feel, what we need, and how we can become open to change.  

We Each Have a Role

If you come to my Yin or Restorative classes, you know I work with the power of silence & stillness a lot in my teaching and in my classes. This is intentional.  

When I teach a yoga class, I’m listening as much or more than I am speaking. To what exactly… I’m not sure. In the teaching space, I don’t often plan what I will say, and if I do it’s usually not what ends up coming out of my mouth in the class. I get a ‘feeling’ of what message is most needed at a certain time, and I say it. Sometimes, I get a ‘feeling’ that silent presence is the most valuable form of support, and so that’s what I do my best to provide. 

Yes… this is an experience & connection that is difficult to ‘translate’ online. Not impossible, but very different from what I know.    

In my experience, what has helped me the most is space. But, here’s the truth. We’re all different. Our bodies are different. Yes, we are structurally made up of the same components; but the size, the shape, and the way those components articulate, interact and move within us is unique to each one of us as an individual. 

Our nervous systems are different, our level of inner awareness and personal understanding is different. Our emotional landscape and concepts of spirituality are different. So, healing and becoming centered is a delicate balance and it’s specific to each and every one of us. 

This is why we each have to step into our responsibility to become our own medicine. Or at least be willing to become a very active participant in our well being. Trust me, I spent years and thousands of dollars trying to hand the responsibility over to someone else. The only way out is through, and the only one who can truly navigate through the beautiful inner matrix of your being is YOU. 

Growth 

I’m not saying don’t ask for help. Please do ask for help! I received a lot of help, and the resources I spent time and money on were very worth it. I am eternally grateful to the people who educated me and shared tools to help me find my way through the dark. I still use these tools every day. 

I understand that the roots of anxiety and disease are complex. The state of the world right now is beyond what one individual or simple action can ‘fix’. It will be a process. My intention here is not to undermine science or the amazing capacity of the medical system to support us. I simply hope to create awareness that we have the ability to influence our inner environment. That turbulence and discomfort inside can also be a product of ignoring parts of ourselves that need our attention. 

The paradox here is that what at first may seem daunting and terrifying can become the very thing that liberates us. To take responsibility for ourselves is an honor and a privilege. It means becoming empowered to really feel into what you need and what you want. Once you are really clear on what your needs are and what it means to foster health and well-being on a deep level, it’s a lot easier to have clear boundaries with others (in a peaceful way).

Support 

Here’s the thing: 

  • Yoga helps, sometimes – It depends on how you show up, what you’re working with, what style you practice, your connection to your teacher, your perception, your physical and mental state going into it… 
  • Meditation helps, sometimes – It depends on your state going into it. If you have a lot of built up sympathetic energy (an active or incomplete stress response), sitting still may not be the right thing at this time. 
  • Changing your Diet helps, sometimes – Different body chemistry and physiological states have different needs for balance. 
  • Sleep helps, sometimes – The exact needs for sleep and rest also depends on the person.  
  • There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution or magic formula to ‘fix’ you. 

I can share with all my heart and soul what I believe in and what has helped me. But, at the end of the day you will need to find what rings true and what works for YOU. I might need to sit in silence and feel my breath while you need to go into the woods and scream at the top of your lungs. It’s all good! 

I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves and the world right now is to practice being present. Be in the NOW as much as you can, the best way you know how. This includes allowing the feelings to flow, for ourselves and others.  One moment at a time, one day at a time, remembering and reconnecting to the beauty and the gift of life.