Befriending our Constant Companion - Emotions

Like blackberries among twisted, thorny tangles of cane, opportunities poke through this year of pandemic, political strife, and environmental crisis.

At moments I am inspired to be the change so desperately needed in our world. At other times I drop into silent despair. Mostly I dance between the two. I imagine we share this dance.

Our experiences are unique and deeply personal and yet we are united, in one grand dance of life. Our perceived separation is an illusion. We are never alone, even when loneliness takes hold.

Perhaps we use the opportunity of this changed life to pivot to love and connection with other beings and the earth. We might nurture a garden, adopt a pet, or knead our secrets into dough, tucking and folding them into loving acceptance. Perhaps we claim our voices, too long quiet, and pirouette to action where we otherwise might have remained silently passive.

Through the opening up and shutting down, opportunities anew and lost, there is one essential piece of this human experience upon which we can rely.

It is a constant companion that we share and yet feels personal. As it walks alongside us in various forms, we befriend and deny it all day long. Denial disables us and inclines us to depression. Befriending this companion enables us to move through changing times with grace, presence and empowerment.

This constant, colourful companion is emotion.

Has there ever been a better opportunity than now to learn to navigate our emotional wilderness, without drowning or getting swept away? There’s certainly no shortage of emotional material to work with these days, from gratitude to fear; blackberries and brambles in abundance.

Developing our relationship with emotions enables us to move through frenetic, demanding days without burning out, and to thrive in times of surplus solitude.

If you and I have spent time together in-person or online, you’ve likely heard me say;

Feeling is healing. Put this to practice now with my e-book Befriending Emotions and accompanying guided meditation below.

What is a Certified Yoga Therapist, and why should I care?

To become a yoga teacher, 200 hours of training is required. A Certified Yoga Therapist has a minimum of 1000 hours of formal training with a school accredit by the International Association of Yoga Therapists, hands on group and individual experience and extensive documented case studies. Ongoing training is a requirement to maintain certification status.

It was not until 2016 that the official Yoga Therapist Certification programs and governance was launched. This ensures a high standard and accountability to ethical and professional responsibility.

Read the definition of a yoga therapist, from the International Association of Yoga Therapists here.

You only get one body in this life. It is a big responsibility to maintain and optimize by yourself. Your body is not separate from your heart and mind. Caring for you is a big deal.Who you entrust your body, heart and mind to is a big deal too. You are worth the best care!

Caring without Collapsing

I know, it's hard to believe, but being unplugged and off-the-grid for almost a month this January had its downside. The digital detox left me refreshed, satiated and excited to step back into life outside of retreat. Yet, like a little bird eager to venture out of the nest, I was raw and vulnerable. The news of raging fires in Australia, viral illness spreading from China, more evidence of receding glaciers and disturbing political maneuvers all fell heavily on my heart. You know the feeling. It doesn't take being off-the grid to feel the collapse of the heart when we turn to the news and take an honest look at the suffering of our planet. It just all felt magnified and immediate. I practice and teach mindfulness and meditation, not to escape, but to develop skills and the capacity of the heart to show up more fully in the world. So why, this time, did I feel like withdrawing into my shell? I have a pretty good guess. I took on too much emotionally, too fast. My enthusiasm for world news outpaced my protection.

How do we find protection from the challenges, without being in denial? How do we seek shelter and yet still be out there, making a difference?

One way is to reach out for support.

I turned to a trusted body worker, Anne-Marie Fafard. As she worked tenderly on my chest and back, sadness moved through in a wave of tears. They were tears for Gaia - our Mother Earth - and the suffering of humanity.

Through the sniffles and sometimes great gasps, I shared my desire to know what action I need to take, or not take in order to reduce my impact on this magnificent planet.

Anne-Marie, whispered; "Learn from Her (Mother Earth). She keeps giving, loving and bestowing us with beauty.

In that moment the divine feminine energy that includes all men, all women, the earth, galaxies, universes and all that arises in consciousness seemed so clear and loving.  Referred to in yogic philosophy as Shakti, this loving presence knows no limitations, no boundaries.  You know it. You are it.  I teach how to recognize this divine feminine presence of which we are. Oh, how easily we can be overwhelmed and "forget" this presence that is always here.

Returning home, I had given the world news much more "air time" than divine presence. That is to simply say, I needed to pray more.  I asked for guidance on how to be in the world, with care, with consciousness, without turning away from problems and with appreciation of all this is as it should be.

The answer isn't a one time shot. It becomes clearer each day when I really listen. A big piece of the answer is not to withdraw, but to keep giving, loving and sharing teachings that help each of us show up in this world and make it a better place.  What an incredible time it is to be on this planet. Has humanity ever been so willing to find meaning in life? Has there ever been such a sense of urgency to globally shift our ways? Science is underscoring the validity of ancient wisdom teachings more than ever. What a time to be alive!  Just look around you, wherever you are right now. What do you appreciate? Is there anything you have overlooked or take for granted? Welcome the beauty, joy or functionality of it.

I will continue to offer international retreats as long as I feel the benefit to those who attend outweigh the negative impact of my travel. Each heart that opens ripples out with an impact far greater than we can ever know.  I have said no to the June retreat in Thailand, in favour of a weekend retreat here in July in Alberta. Carbon offset credits are my new friend. Material purchases that I make go through a more determined screening than ever before. Many more steps for reducing the impact of my footprint are yet to come. More opportunities to work online are now on my website..thanks for staying with me! These are personal choices. I make them alongside yours, in great respect for your decisions and priorities.

I've re-committed to my formal personal practice time. It is the first event in my calendar five days a week. Informal practice continues to percolate through my days and nights. I have vowed to not look at the news or email until I have honoured my morning practice of gentle movement and meditation. This gives me a ground of connection from which I can step out into the world with grace, appreciation and joy, without collapsing under the weight of it.

Life hack: Practice, Pray. Keep doing whatever you do to feel connected with loving presence. Reach out when you need help re-establishing or maintaining that connection.  And as Dr. Rick Hanson says, "drink in the good", notice the goodness and beauty around you.

If you don't know how to access the ground of connection or need help knowing which practices will best support you, please reach out for my guidance.

We are never alone.  We have enormous capacity to make a difference in our unique way. I am here with you.