No high vibes only
One of the big selling points of yoga is that it can make you feel
better.
This is evidenced by the messaging of many "yoga ads" I see
online:
- You're only one class away from a good mood.
- Every breath is an opportunity to feel better.
- 8 poses to make you feel better.
I propose that before you feel better -- or maybe in order to feel
better -- you first need to feel.
Just plain and simple, feel your feelings.
- Feel the sadness of disappointment.
- Feel the hurt of betrayal.
- Feel the grief of loss.
- Feel the anger, the confusion, the fear...
Any feeling that didn't get to be felt.
We need spaces where we are free to feel things outside
of the narrow lane of "high vibes only."
There's nothing wrong with wanting to feel better.
The irony is when we avoid or shun so-called hard emotions, they don't get to live out their natural life cycle. They can get pushed into the shadows, where, like a tiny spider shadow, they can seem even
bigger than the original feeling. In this way, we never get to that
place of feeling "better" because that feeling is still in there...
making big shadow figures on the wall.
This is one of my favorite things about my yoga mat -- it's a place
and time that's just mine.
No taking care of anyone, no worry about how my actions are
impacting others. I get to move, make sounds, or do nothing. I
get to slow down and let my feelings flow like water.
Do I often feel "better" afterward? Yes! But that's not my goal or a
requirement.
This is why my main intention as a teacher is to invite you
to bring all of yourself into that moment and make space
for your feelings -- especially any that you haven't had time for.
In this way, Self-care becomes Soul-Care.
In the following email, with the subject line "Let go or be dragged" I'm going to share with you some impactful life experiences that changed everything…
Don't miss it.
With Love,
