Namaste Yogis,
I hope this finds you safe and well. As we collectively witness and engage the power of a vast and unbreakable human spirit. I have been asked by many of you “what do you do to get through these challenging times?” And so, I thought to take this opportunity and share some tips and ideas of what helps me personally and keeps my well being on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
First: I am starting and closing the day with 15 min of quiet meditation, sitting on a comfortable pillow or a blanket and closing my eyes to tune in to my breath and ground myself.
Second: Following my morning meditation, I practice yoga for about an hour of yoga with any kind of music that keeps my spirit elevated as I dance with my breath. Thanks to technology, most teachers have jumped right in to keep teaching and online classes have been essential to helping us all feel more supported, less lonely, and above all, seen. It has been the highlight of my day to stay in the flow of our commitment to practice, wellbeing, and community. You say live stream, I say love stream :)
Third: Following my Yoga practice, I walk my dog and find a tree to hug. The trees have so many healing qualities and can boost your immune system. And when I come back from my walk I make myself a celery juice with ginger (optional) and clean my liver by taking this small shot of healthy juice 😊
In cold days like this, I make myself a “Golden Milk”, which has so many qualities, including fighting any access of inflammation in our body.
Ingredients: Almond Milk, ½ teaspoon of turmeric, pinch of black Pepper and some honey (can also add Cinnamon and Nutmeg)
Fourth: journaling is something that I often do, but since the shelter- in- place, I have been writing in my journal every night and keep listing all the things that I am most grateful for. I find it very therapeutic and a reminder of how lucky I am to have this beautiful family and love around me.
Fifth: I have been going back to my books on my shelf and the one book that I read much often before bed time is called: The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein. I found it very grounding and it helps me to deal with the uncertainty by cultivating trust and letting go of what we cannot control. Full surrender is the end of seeking, which can be so liberating. After all we are Human Being and not Human Doing ….
Lastly, the beautiful meaning of ‘Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu’ which has been my mantra for many years now, helps me express my deep connection to the beings around me (people and nature). Although the words are said in Sanskirt, this mantra is inherently non-religious and translated to: “May all beings be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all”.
We say these words at the end of a practice as an offering to the world; a reminder of our deeper connection to the world around us. That for every positive (or negative) action we offer, there is a positive (or negative) counter-reaction. Therefore, the way we carry ourselves and interact with the world around us has great impacts on all.
In the essence, it can simply be understood to mean: “do unto others as you would have done to you”- a reminder that our thoughts, actions, energy and behavior have impacts on the world around us- the more positivity, compassion and kindness we give, the more of the same we receive and a beautiful world we co-create!