Most often on Sundays I start my day with a hike and then yoga practice, recentering myself, my intentions to embrace being a better human being, wife, mother, friend, business partner, and colleague. My yoga practice as a student and a teacher allows me to learn and express the energies within us, around us and how our collective energies as a community work together to create an amazing force to live and thrive. I am grateful in my role each day helps others better traverse their life of health – whatever that looks like – perhaps a life event such as welcoming a newborn into their family, taking care of themselves and an elder family member, or managing a chronic pain or illness.
As my Sunday continues, I log onto my computer and catch up on emails and prepare for Monday and my goals for the week ahead – as part of my weekly Sunday routine, I wanted to share a story that presented itself today.
Following my yoga practice this morning I had the pleasure of getting to know a woman that had been practicing next to me during class. She expressed how good she felt following our restore class, how she felt peaceful, balanced, and confident. As we continued sharing, I learned she had gone through a brain surgery late last year due to a rate genetic disorder of the immune system, and how yoga was such a valuable part of her healing journey. The physical movements during a yoga practice allow her to create the mind body connection she needs to feel centered, and yoga helps her mentally cope with the journey she has been on for a number of years now. She went on to share that certain things that happen in her life can trigger nerve issues causing her to spend time in and out of the hospital. During a recent stay at a well-known teaching hospital on the east coast, for treatment around neurological and nerve issues, she was given a tablet to order her meals. While exploring what to order for lunch she noticed a tab titled “caring for myself” which included content for her, the patient to explore. She was curious so she clicked on the tab to learn more – she was surprised to see the top three things this neuro hospital recommended were deep breathing, meditation, and yoga Nidra - a type of yoga practice for stress management that helps filter out random thoughts that emerge in the conscious mind. Practicing yoga Nidra on a regular basis helps improve memory and prevents cognitive decline related to aging and improves attention.
As a regular yogie she welcomed the recommendation to enjoy more yoga, which she felt had already helped her so much. Post surgeries she was up and around with much less down time than expected, she had better balance and focus - allowing her to feel more comfortable in her own body and confident that she could better manage her condition and the journey ahead.
My passion for sharing this story comes from a few different places – the first is the power of breath and movement and the mind body connection, and how good yoga is for each of us to help manage stress and be better humans, no matter what our lives might look like. My heart was full knowing that a well-known teaching hospital was recommending, breathing, meditation and yoga to patients as a form of self-care and healing. Breathing is the foundation of our being and with focus on breath and movement we can all approach situations in our lives with much more calm and focus. Lastly, I am excited to share the power of yoga to better encourage others in exploring their own yoga practice. There are many types of yoga, and I am confident the right type of yoga practice is out there to support any lifestyle including beginner workouts or stress management, or a supplement to a fitness routine and group type sports.
When we find peace within, we can keep it to ourselves and let it serve us in any way that feels best, and then if we want to, we can share it with those around us, we can share that positive energy.
I am grateful for having met a new friend, learning of her story to better appreciate my life and good health, and I am fortunate the work I do each day can have a positive impact on others.
~ Namaste