Like many of you, I practice yoga for more than just the exercise. My yoga practice brings me back to myself, and leaves me feeling strong and spacious. After I practice, I am more patient, more kind, and more willing to meet the day, no matter what it might bring.
I’ve meditated off and on for over a decade, but it wasn’t until my daughters were born that I began to feel that same draw to meditation. In that postpartum time, my recovering body made asana difficult, and my anxious mind craved stillness and quiet. Meditation was my refuge when my daughter would nap. Finding a few moments where my only “to do” was do nothing, that was medicine. Meditation saw me through insomnia and postpartum depression. I was able to find another path home to myself.
Now we find ourselves cut off from so many of our healthy self care activities. Our coffee dates, visits to the gym, even our walks in the woods, have all been diminished by the pandemic and the wildfires in our region. We can’t hug our friends or take vacations to recharge our batteries. Thankfully, the refuge of meditation is always available, always accessible.
I enrolled in a 2 year mindfulness and meditation teacher training program in February of 2019, not having any idea what was coming! I am so grateful for that training and my consistent practice, as it carried me through lockdowns, job changes, health scares, grief, and loss. It continues to be a balm today as we struggle with the smoke and online school, relationship strain and worry for the future.
Meditation does not make my anxiety go away. I am not a blissed out Buddha in the face of adversity. But I do know that I can come back to myself. I do know the tools to calm my nervous system, to sleep better, to create space around my big emotions. Perhaps most importantly, I feel a purposefulness in sharing these tools with others who are struggling. As we each work through our own challenges, I am finding meaning in my life by offering support to others with this practice.
I hope you’ll join me for our 7 week mindfulness and meditation series beginning October 7th. I truly believe that when we commit to staying awake to our whole human experience, we are doing the work that will heal our world. 