If you’re like me, you’ve always got a lot going on in your life, juggling work, family and home commitments. It’s makes our lives fulfilling and worthwhile. And it’s good to have effective ways to ways to unwind, relax and reset, especially on the weekends when we have more time for self-care.
What are your favorite ways to reset your nervous system on weekends?
For me, it’s a combination of snagging a few extra hours of sleep (thanks to my hubby and kiddos for gifting me those bonus zzzzzzzz’s), getting my house in order (cleaning, laundry, etc…… you know the drill and how good it feels to have things in order), unplugging from social media and work, and one of my favorite go-to’s ————> YOGA!
I haven’t talked enough about how impactful yoga has been in my life, but it’s the focus of today’s ezine and my newest Rapid Reset Video.
Whether you’ve dabbled with yoga, consider yourself a fellow yogi, or you’re sure “yoga isn’t for you,” hang with me on this.
How yoga nurtures inner peace…
I resisted trying yoga for years because “back in the day” I preferred “sweaty workouts.” Oprah inadvertently had me reconsider. It was an episode on anti-aging and woman after beautiful woman in their 70’s and 80’s walked out, sharing their secrets. Almost every one of them touted some form of stretching or yoga. That got my attention!
So I finally tried yoga with a friend, and was hooked! I love how it made me feel, not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally. Little did I know, yoga would be foundational to finding, keeping and deepening inner peace in my life.
One of the most fundamental aspects of yoga is how it allows us to strengthen and expand awareness. I remember when I first learned about the notion of awareness from Wayne Dyer. Pretty quickly I was able to understand there was an “observer” within myself.
That “observer” or “awareness” could notice thoughts, emotions, and sensations arising. The more we give conscious attention to this awareness, the easier it is to access. I’ve come to know this “awareness” is inherently peaceful.
When we do yoga, we’re invited to connect with our “awareness” throughout each session. We notice the sensations in our bodies as awareness observes our movement from shape to shape. We notice thoughts and feelings coming and going. We notice resistance arising and then relaxing. And we’re reminded over and over again to just keep resting back into that delicious space of consciousness, which is simply aware.
The combination of stretching with mindful attention reliably soothes the soul and strengthens that connection to what I often refer to as our “inner peace headquarters.” Again, awareness is inherently neutral or peaceful. So the more we consciously connect with awareness, the more inner peace we feel.
For the first half of my life, I had no idea this part of me existed. I was just in the experience of life like most humans. I’d get swept up in reactions, yanked around emotionally by the outside world and often drown in thoughts. There was no observer, per se.
Yoga helped me realize that I am not my “monkey mind” thoughts, I am not my emotions, and I am not just my body. I am that awareness. I am the observer. I am inherently peaceful.
Yoga has helped me expand and strengthen my inner peace and awareness for over 20 years now. And it’s done the same for countless others.
Through the years, I’ve experimented with everything from Kundalini yoga to Power Yoga (Vinyasa) to Bikram yoga. Each are wonderful in their unique ways. Even while I was pregnant with twins I went to a weekly pre-natal yoga, which was a lifesaver. And when I couldn’t waddle to the studio, I continued to do a handful of stretches at home.
My favorite now is Yin Yoga, which is a sharp contrast to the sweaty, power yogas and exercise I used to crave. Yin Yoga focuses on spending more time getting into a posture, then holding it long enough for the fascia in our muscles and tissue to relax. There is a lot of breathing, surrender, and allowing that ultimately opens up cranky hips, shoulders and tight muscles.
Best of all, I’m immersed in conscious awareness and fill up my inner peace reservoir for the week.
Afterwards, my body is relaxed and feels spacious. And the inner peace buzz is palpable… and carries me through the week.
If I don’t get to do yoga at least once a week, I feel off. It’s an essential part of what allows me to keep inner peace alive in my life.
When the lockdowns closed my local yoga studio, I wasn’t sure how I’d adapt. Gratefully, my all-time favorite yoga teacher, Kayvon brought his Yin Yoga to his YouTube channel. And while I was skeptical, I quickly realized it didn’t matter if I was in a yoga studio.
For almost a year now, this is what you can catch me doing in my living room on Sundays. It’s essential to my weekly reset! And, my body and soul are happier when I prioritize yoga and stretching even more. My daughter Shanti snapped a few photos this week.
That leads us to today’s new video about the power of yoga and stretching where I share more benefits of this rejuvenating inner peace practice. :-). I hope my sharing sparks fresh curiosity and inspiration in you to embrace yoga as a soul soothing practice.
Rapid Reset Video #16
The Power of Yoga & Stretching
Hope you enjoyed this Rapid Reset Video… simple strategies for finding inner in any moment. So are you up for yoga this week? It’s a game-changer, no matter your age, athletic ability or how coordinated you are. And it’s a fabulous stress buster.
I’d love to hear how yoga impacts your inner peace.
Here’s to your success and inner peace,
Facebook Comments