Winter Warming (a midwinter blog)
As we approach midwinter, Self-Care is more important than ever. As animals, our natural tendency in this period of shorter days is to want to hibernate, however as this is not always possible we look to our Yoga Practice to find ways in which we can establish inner balance through external changes, otherwise we can become much more easily depleted than we would do in the Summertime. I truly believe that we must look honestly at where our energy levels are at & approach our Practice accordingly, by this I mean the following: In the darker months, we may not always feel physically motivated to get on our mats for dynamic practices but we can still honour a daily Yoga session that is nurturing. We can activate, awaken, refresh, warm up & tune in with gentler Asanas (Yoga poses) Pranayamas (breathing techniques) & longer sits in Dharana & Dhyana (Concentration & Meditation) These are just as effective in energising us as the more vigorous sequences are, we simply change the pace & the mood depending on what your system is calling for. Another aspect of the magnetic draw of hibernation is the dreaded ‘get-out-clause’ this is where laziness cleverly disguises itself as exquisitely eloquent excuses to avoid Practice…..we’ve all been there, I’m smiling as I write this! BEWARE sweet Yogis, as tempting as it is to put self-care & laziness in the same category, don’t do it!!
The part of your mind which drives you away from your Yoga is only interested in the familiarity of the comfort zone! Let’s always remember that true self-care involves stepping out of the comfort zone as this is the only action which facilitates growth. It takes courage to look beyond the familiar, the easy & the comfortable, Yoga enCOURAGES us to face ourselves and sometimes that brings us fear but in the words of the wonderful Dr. Susan David ‘Courage is not an absence of fear, it is fear walking!’ So let’s promise ourselves to walk onto our mats everyday, if only for 5 minutes but every day nonetheless. Enjoy your Practice MahaYogis. May your Winter be inspiring, nourishing & wonderfully warming. Om Shanthi.
