I write from Melbourne, where we are now in a State of ‘disaster’, a Covid lock-down with a curfew and significant limitations on our entire life until mid-September at least. Our State, Victoria, has had the toughest restrictions in Australia since our first lock-down in March 2020. This is our second lock-down. If anything is uncertain right now it is the circumstances in our city and the world. And if anyone tells me again to breathe, ignore the financial crisis or to savour memories, I will scream. Oh how unyogic!
A perfect storm, where the waves seem far too big to surf, feels an apt image right now. If we learn to swim well and how to surf the waves, then even when we get ‘dumped’ we will still come up for air again! This is a salient teaching of Swami Satchidananda, the founder of Integral Yoga®, the tradition and lineage which forms the foundation of my life.
The practice of swimming and surfing may not be for everyone, yet there are approaches in our everyday life right now, that can move us towards equilibrium.
Trying soft
There is so much written now about making the most of this time of Covid. What can you learn, do, become? How can you embrace this change? Watching the news and hearing stories from our communities demonstrates that this is far from realistic or accessible for so many. Practising ‘softness’ in our attitude, thoughts, behaviours calms our nervous system. Practising softness is not an indifference to our current turmoil. It is knowing that trying ‘hard’ to understand or to change current circumstances may make everything worse. Can you drop any expectation and find a little softness each day?
Feeling connection
Along with the analogy of water and surfing is the healing property of water. Water has been used for centuries for blessings and ceremonies. A bath, a walk by the water, slowing drinking water to feel its vibrational qualities may invoke a connection to this natural element. I live close to the beach and it has taken Covid for me to go there regularly again. Simply seeing the water, even though it is way too cold to get in, is like a soothing balm. Can you soothe yourself with one element (air, water, space, fire, earth) each day?
Kindness to you
How is your self-talk? What do you hold to be ‘true’ about yourself? Who and what are draining your ‘energies’? We have all been confined and limited in how we interact with ourselves and others. There is no escaping! Our habitual patterns and tendencies are right in front of our noses. How do you react to yourself? What can you easily create in your environment that invokes compassion towards yourself – something to feel, observe, reflect upon?
Your peaceful place
Creating a personal sense of balance right now, finding equilibrium within, is paramount. There are many paths to your centre and for me it comes through my daily silent meditation practice. However many may find this unachievable. iRest yoga nidra is a simple guided form of meditation based on the ancient tradition of yoga nidra and is adapted for modern life. When practised regularly iRest enables you to meet each moment of your life with peace and well-being. iRest incorporates developing your inner sanctuary, a safe place to ’be’, at any time during your day.
If you are interested to surf the waves of uncertainty and find stability with iRest, contact me for a chat here.
