Self-Care: Learn practices rooted in Yoga and Ayurveda to find inner calm, balance and peace.

Well, 2020 has been a year to remember! I haven't experienced anything like this in my life time. It has been a roller coaster of emotions! We all feel things differently and have probably had different reactions to what is happening in our world right now. Between the pandemic, hurricanes, wild fires, political unrest and protests, I think we all can agree that this year has brought us physical and emotional challenges. So, how do we navigate these challenges without losing our sense of Self? How do we take care of ourselves on a deeper level? How do we respond without reacting in a negative way and cause more internal pain?

We can use tools and principles from the practices of Yoga and Ayurveda to help guide us towards internal awareness, calm, peace and balance.

By using these practices, we can start going more inward and over time we build a foundation of practices and tools we can use when life gets hard. We have more self-awareness. We know when we are triggered by someone or something and we can move forward with grace. We have this "tool box" full of resources that we can pull out at anytime to help guide us. Here are some of the daily practices that I find helpful in my own self-care. These can be used to help you stay grounded and calm.

Create and establish daily routines. In Ayurveda, this practice is called dinacharya.

Having a daily routine can be so helpful for the body and mind. Doing something day in and day out teaches our bodies and minds to know what to expect. That provides us with a sense of stability and we feel more grounded. Start by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day..(yes, even on the weekends!) This helps our body align to our natural rhythms. Eventually, no alarm clock is needed because your body knows when to wake up! Have a set morning routine. Wake up and set an intention for your day. Have some time alone!! If you have children, it is helpful to wake up before them so you establish your "self" and ground before taking care of others. Morning is a great time for self-reflection. Journal, meditate or simply take 15 deep breaths. Incorporate some movement into your day. Moving our bodies is helpful to move our energy out. Get outside, even when it is cold! BE in nature, as that helps us ground and connect to earth. Eat your meals at the same time each day. This teaches our bodies to know when to expect food. Create a bed time routine to prepare your body and mind to sleep. Sleep is so important! Have an evening ritual that calms you. Perhaps it may be oiling your feet or reading a mantra or prayer. Turn off electronics at least an hour before bed. Social media, TV and phones can over-stimulate our mind and may bring up emotions, which then can make it challenging to fall asleep. Practice gratitude each day for what you have in your life. Be thankful for all that you have!

Practice Yoga!

And no, this doesn't just mean getting on a mat for an hour! That is great too, but Yoga is so much more than just physical movement. Yoga incorporates breathing practices and meditation. Pranayama or breathing exercises help us move energy in our body. It purifies the channels or nadi's in the body and also calms the mind. If you are new to breathing exercises, start by taking a short pause 3 times a day and notice your breath. Then take 10-15 deep breaths and notice how you feel after. If you become agitated or angry, use your breath to calm the mind. Meditation helps us go inward. It helps slow the mind and is so calming. Start with one minute of meditation and build from there. If you want guided meditations, there are many resources available. I use the Insight Timer App. If you are new to Yoga asana, you can take a virtual class from almost anywhere in the world. Try out different classes and instructors and see what or who resonates with you. If you are a beginner, I would recommend finding a gentle yoga or hatha class. Focus on breathing and connecting to your body, rather than "doing" the poses perfectly. There is no such thing as perfection. All of these aspects of Yoga help us with moving more inward. We learn about our bodies and our minds and how to connect more deeply.

Be Present!

2020 has brought up A LOT of emotions for people. We all have experienced life differently this past year and that is okay! We are all unique individuals and beings, so of course we will all react differently to what has been happening. For some, myself included, this year has been about slowing down, pausing, reflecting, creating and being with family. As we learn to be more present, we start to enjoy life more and appreciate that we have the choice to change the direction we are moving in. How do we stay present? It is a practice for sure! First, FEEL what you are feeling without labeling or judging it. Notice your emotions. Maybe it is fear, anxiety or anger. We notice, but then we do not attach to the emotions. We feel them and let them move through us by sitting with them, breathing or moving the body. Can it be uncomfortable? Yes!! But, that is how we learn and grow. Sometimes we may react or respond to those emotions in a negative way (I have been there and done that)! It's okay! Learn from it! And then next time, you have more awareness. That is the key. Try to not take on other people's energy. You may hear or read something that you don't agree with. There may be people around you that are experiencing negative emotions. That's okay, we are not judging it. However, it can be easy to get sucked into other's experiences and emotions. Then we lose sight of our Self. Remember you have a choice. You can choose how you react to that person. Use your breath and let it go. It is not your story. Do not take it on. Journal about it, even if it is negative. Release it by putting it on paper. No one else will read it. (Hopefully)!! Then, surround yourself with people who you feel aligned with. Use your intuition. It will guide you in the right direction. When we can stay true to ourselves and learn to separate our feelings from others, we become more present and learn how to stay present in the midst of chaos. When we are present, we are in the moment, not looking forward to the future or back to the past. We are here. Remember that this too shall pass. Experience it, learn from it and grow. This is a practice and no one is perfect. Be Well!

Be You. Be Brilliant.

Namaste,

Stefanie, Brilliant Life Yoga and Wellness

www.brilliantlifemn.com