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A beautifully relaxed summer yoga class with my fantastic students learning sarvangasana. December 2013 Australia.
“There is more to life than increasing its speed” Gandhi
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Howdy Wellness Warriors!
Time-sickness is common ailment in today’s society especially at this time of the year when it's so easy to get swept away with Christmas-mania. We are
constantly ‘catching up’ with people and squeezing in as much activity into what little time we perceive we have ready for the ONE BIG DAY (?!) Don't get me wrong I love a bit of Christmas cheer but we do need to keep a reign on it all! So I thought I'd give you all a little reminder to SLOW DOWN and ENJOY...........mmmmmmm.
We sometimes gloat
about how fast we can go on CVs for job interviews and how much we can get done;
describing ourselves as ‘able-to-adapt-to-fast-paced-working-environments’ or
‘highly dynamic’. There is however a gnawing disconnect between what we want and what
we can realistically have; which feeds the statement ‘there just aren't enough
hours in the day’. Many of us are chasing our tails constantly in a frenzy of
dynamic activity - Yes you know who you are ;-)
Our relationship with time is breathless – literally; shallow
breathing is synonymous with time-sickness anxiety panic attacks stress and
disconnection. Our breath connects our inner and outer life and helps us to
feel “whole’. I’m guessing by the simple fact that you are still reading this article
that you know what this breathless frenzy feels like; low level adrenaline running
constantly and an inability to take a deep breath which feeds us with life and prana!
So what can we do about it? Join the slow revolution
perhaps? Fear not wellness warriors! There is an official revolution happening
– there really is! It’s called the Slow Movement; the slow revolution that has its
origins in Italy; home of long lush siestas wonderful drawn out lunches and
endless discussions about parmigiano gelato and spatzle – oh and of course and
romance! What could be more satisfying?
Check it out
here. And before you start to worry - the slow movement isn’t inhabited by luddites who
want to escape the modern world, live in cave and forage for nuts and seeds for
the rest of their lives either. It’s about normal folk like you and I wanting
some balance and quality in life god damn it!
In my opinion slow is beautiful - fast can be beautiful too though (I know what you are thinking and rightly so my friends) – speed can be ecstatic
in fact – riding a fast car, buzzing on the awesomeness of a great big city;
but just not all the time! We need ‘time-variety’ and the slow movement is all about
balance and that's why us yogi's love it!
On a more serious yogic and cosmic note there is the theory
that speed = escape. Escape and distraction from our own mortality, pain, death,
desolation, loneliness; the fear and harsh reality that we only have limited
time on this beautiful planet with our dear ones. And the idea that spiritual
(whatever that means to you) development/mother nature has its own, often ‘slow’
pace. We cannot accelerate enlightenment however much we try; enlightenment and
connection to the life force often (but not always) happens when we are slow still
and quiet – in meditation or prayer. The Quakers go silent, the Buddhists retreat
into silence, Sundays were traditionally the day to slow down, be quiet and
reflect etc etc. And of course yoga practice can help us to do the same.
I had a very busy life in London (until recently); working
long hours - long commute etc. To counteract this I meditate twice a day, eat really slowly (chew my food properly) and try to make an effort to be conscious
in everything I do. I try to slow down and connect with the people giving
them my full attention. I try to do one thing at time (‘The Myth of Multi- Tasking’
will be a future blog post to look out for) in a calm and relaxed way – soaking
up all the sensations that the task requires whether it be eating, cooking, making love, talking daydreaming etc. And like a child I
try to do things in an unhurried way with a sense of wonder. I relax as much as
I can and have lots of down time. Doing ‘nothing’ is SO under rated – it’s the
time of dreaming, imagination and allowing the subconscious to play; this is
what feeds our soul and I can’t emphasise this enough. I try to go with my own rhythms
as much a possible........oooooooo.......bliss.
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How to slow down
- Make your mantra - ‘I have all the time I need and I am moving
forward’ Say it act it out believe in it and it will begin to happen; you
will begin to feel it!
- Breathe – Pranyama (Sanskrit) in yoga is all about increasing
or elongating the prana which is the life force by using the breath. Try
alternate nostril breathing. (Contact me if you wish to learn this breathing
technique and others. They really work – I’m offering FREE online or face
to face 121 yoga sessions!) Or simply just lie down in savasana and
breathe deeply focussing on the breath for 10-20 minutes a day.
- Yoga poses/asanas – There are many yoga poses that induce
relaxation. Please click here.
- Go at your own pace – Try this. It is an opportunity to see
what moves you literally. Sit still and don’t move until something (an activity
that you feel like doing) literally MOVES you! It’s all about getting to
know yourself and your own flow. When you feel moved and that one activity
has come to its natural end then move gently organically onto the next
without any time restraints – find your own speed/flow! Set aside some
time for this; go into your zone and be fully conscious.
- Learn to say no - Learn to say no set your boundaries and give yourself the time you need. Especially at this time of the year when there can be so many family demands.
So all the best wellness warriors - have a wonderfully relaxed Christmas. I hope these tips help to remind you all of what you already know but have perhaps forgotten to practice lately! Take it easy - take it slow and look after yourself! Keep in touch.
Mounira x
To help you slow down why not attend The Daintree Yoga
Retreat February 8
th-9
th 2014 Queensland Australia. For
all details please click
HERE.
If you wish to learn yoga meditation relaxation
visualisation and breathing techniques then do contact me. I’m offering FREE
introductory 121 sessions online or face to face.
07811 699 335 UK mobile
0432 432 801 Australian mobile
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