Taking some R and R from 'sorrow and joy'
a short and sweet pratice for you
Just a short note today.
I’ve not been sleeping well and took myself out for some rest and relaxation rather than buckle down and write the article I was planning on sorrow and joy. This theme has been circling about for a while, and has come up with some clients this week, so I’ll share it next time or the time after that depending on the vibes.
Instead, I’ll give you a short movement practice that I’ve enjoyed today to support me in my discombobulated fatigue.
I love this particular sequence, and when I used to teach yoga, this was a crowd pleaser.
I’ll call it “yummy, lying down twisty flow” … self explanatory really …
It’s a simple, reclined twisting flow - coordinated with the breath. The subtle blanket prop as support is intrinsically nurturing and containing. I would call it restorative and gently rejuvenating
Just a little context as well … When I began practising yoga and fell for it hard, I would practice asana (the physical poses) 1-2 hours every day. This felt essential, and it was helpful for me at the time, as I had been disconnected from my body for decades. Yoga had been a doorway to its rediscovery. It was akin to a spiritual awakening.
Now, I don’t practice every day. I’ve been dabbling with a new rhythm and repertoire of movement practices for my aging body. The flavour, frequency and timing is different and responsive - 3-5 times a week for yoga asana seems to work, 15-45 mins. Mostly mornings, sometimes evenings. I’m mixing things up with walks, pilates, weights, as well as meditation, prayer, trance.
But … I need to keep body and movement central, as I still easily fly up and live in my head. I am very cerebral.
Practice helps me remember I have a body - to feel it, listen to it. So somatic, embodied practices done consciously helps me to honour my body as a source of wisdom, and as a resource for accessing ease, strength and vitality.
Yoga also acted as a precursor to my interest in my entry into somatic and body-centred therapy.
I wrote an article some time ago about using Body as Resource, if you’d like to read more.
I hope you find today’s practice useful.
Much love
Mendy 🖤