I send you greetings of love, peace and encouragement in your exploration of the "quiet side" of life that Winter offers us. The months do flow by and already it is February...a month where a good strategy for nurturing our wellbeing is as important as ever. I know it is common to hear about our yoga practice being an excellent choice for self-care and it certainly is. I think it is also a way to practice self-love and self-appreciation. It gives us a chance to experience ourselves on the inside where there is no mirror, no cultural conditioning and no image of what society calls beautiful. It is a chance to appreciate the parts of our body that make the postures possible instead of wishing our body was different.
This "taste of inner beauty" was a surprising and profound early yoga experience for me. It happened in Savasana at my very first yoga class. I was bewildered and fascinated that on the dark, cold floor at a noisy gym I could feel/sense the inner glow of being beautiful and connected that had nothing to do with the outer world. This experience is what hooked me and why I teach yoga to this day...to create the conditions for others to have this "taste of inner beauty and connection."
I hope you can join me for a class sometime soon!
Self-love is the gentle unfolding of acceptance,
a deep recognition that you are whole, worthy, and enough exactly as you are.
It is a state of mind and heart that is
the foundation from which all kindness, healing, and inner peace flow.
This kind of love radiates outward to touch every part of your life and your world.
Food for thought: What has opened YOUR heart lately?
Time in nature? Time with an animal friend? Time immersed in music or movement? Time with another human being whose loving presence melts the walls around your heart?
Naturally we want more and more of those kind of moments but they can depend somewhat on elements outside of ourselves. Is it even possible to experience a similar kind of open-hearted loving feeling right within our own experience of ourselves?
The practice of yoga has helped create the conditions for me to enhance and grow my relationship with myself...how about you? Let's explore this together.
I found these self-love quotes uplifting and I hope you do too.
Our Friday, February 14th Yoga & Sound at Common Fence Point
will be focused on self-love.
~ “Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”—Sophia Loren
~ “Nourishing yourself in a way that helps you blossom in the direction you want to go, is attainable, and you are worth the effort.”—Deborah Day
~ “Look inward—the loving begins with you.”—Oprah Winfrey
~ “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else, is the greatest accomplishment.”—Ralph Waldo Emerson
~ “To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.”—Oscar Wilde
Sending you all prayers and wishes for peace,
Namaste,
Rev Shelley
In keeping with quieter days, I figured I would share a little of my quiet side choices
and welcome you to email me your quiet side pleasures!
What's on my bookstand?
My journal - my indispensable spiritual companion
The Radiance Sutras by Dr. Lorin Roche
7,000 Ways to Listen by Mark Nepo
The Gift of Years by Joan Chichester
Poetry books by Dana Faulds, Kai Seidenberg, John O'Donohue
What am I watching?
Gaia - a subscription channel with so many fascinating shows on science and spirituality
YouTube Qigong with Knesy - a compliment to yoga to stay balanced and supple
YouTube nature videos with meditation music in the background
Whatever looks romantic and non-violent on Netflix
What am I listening to?
Any music by sacred song artists Shantala, Brenda McMorrow, Deva Premal, Dean Evanson
Teachings and meditations on the Insight Timer app
Podcasts or YouTube inspirational messages from Dr. Joe Dispenza
Audio books like Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
What brings me joy?
My morning quiet time for prayer, meditation and chanting
My daily walks outdoors
Time with my grandchildren and family
Country line dance lessons at the Mishnock Barn (surprised?)
Attending Westminster Unitarian Church
The slower pace of Winter with time to wonder, learn, rest and dream
Leading yoga classes and mini retreats!
Please scroll down for details on what is coming up and for the January schedule.
As always, please feel free to email me or text (860-965-9995) with any class related questions.