Release Harm & Focus on Support. Practice & Inquiry for the week ahead.
5/20/24
“I am willing to release what’s harmful and stay focused on what’s supportive.”
This writing from the Grace Selene arrived for me recently and seemed timely for affirmation and self-inquiry.
Releasing the harm. Staying focused on what’s supportive. What's coming up for you? Breathe into this inquiry. Be it harms or supports, perhaps you arrive at some insights promptly, the instinctive part that knows. And if insights are not prompt to arrive, be reminded that pace and listening is most welcome. Remove some of the rocks from your backpack caused by overthinking. Perhaps this conditioned behavior may be one such harm? Staying curious, kind, and fluid to this inquiry, lets begin with a present moment practice toward what's supportive.
I like to start with the life skill from my teacher- Getting in the GAP. Grounded. Attentive. Present. To let this inquiry sink in with less rush and more inward listening. Releasing harm. Focusing on support.
Welcoming you to soften your eyes. I close my eyes and return to the refuge that is the alert, relaxed focus of the breath. Beginning by balancing inhale and exhale. This breath is supportive, life-giving, and kindly focused toward aligning and listening. Offering a hand to the heart space. I’m personally sensing a more anticipatory rhythm, sympathetic arousal, rajasic we would say in the yogic lens. Then honing attention to the stillness of the pelvis- rooted on support. Stillness, a more tamasic quality as a stable anchor. Practicing into slower, deeper breaths. Allow a the steady waves of breath to tune you. The image of water as it moves upon the shore- both soft and strong. Repeating. 10 deep rounds. Then inquire.
From grounded, attentive, and present. As the pace of my responsibilities increase, bringing myself a few degrees more clear, then the next thing becomes a more reasonable to meet.
Consider widening this inquiry to your daily life. Your habits, routines, rhythms, and responsibilities. If there is too much overwhelm, to much to do, start with reducing the wear and tear on your body & mind. If the expectations you’ve placed on yourself draw you out of alignment, losing the forest in the trees, or maybe you are feeling more toward the place of fatigue or collapse, bring compassion and get more curious. Keep it simple, sweet. The basics.
To what is more supportive, what will reduce harm. Practicing nonviolence toward the self. Ahimsa.
Wellness ingredients for your body to receive each day might include connecting with life & the elements during an outdoor walk. Hydrating and taking in nourishing meals. Prioritizing connection in and out, more curious and with a beginners mind. Deep Rest. Raising the heart rate healthfully- cue the movement or play! Let yourself emote- laugh, cry, digest, and bring in those activities that shift you from doing to being (art, music, dance, creativity and the like).
“I am willing to release what’s harmful and stay focused on what’s supportive.”
Deep gratitude for you, your time and energy. Here with you in responsibility, in play, and in all the in-betweens for the week ahead.
In love & light.
-Maya
Yoga this Week: Honing direct experience of the sun & moon energies within you!
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