This afternoon I led a complimentary holiday yoga class. The room was almost completely full despite school being cancelled due to an ice storm last night. The turnout spoke to the need so many of us have for time to ourselves, time to unwind and let go of stress. We desperately seek peace in our lives. A few moments of stillness amid the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, baking, traveling, cooking, cleaning, and wrapping.
At the beginning of my yoga classes, I usually invite people to set intentions for themselves and make dedications to others who would benefit from the healing powers of their practice. Today, I offered the following...
When we make dedications we typically make them to others, and this is a beautiful thing. But today, if it resonates with you, I invite you to dedicate your practice to yourself. Taking care, healing, and loving yourself is not only a gift to you but a gift to everyone you encounter. The love that you have for yourself translates to love for others, for if you cannot love yourself, you cannot fully love others. So this afternoon, open your heart to love for yourself and for others. Give yourself permission to be healed, to be at peace, and to be loved.
There is something to be said for nurturing ourselves, and its something we don't do nearly enough of, and yet its so vitally important to take care of our own selves. If you've ever traveled in an airplane, you've likely heard the following: "Should the air pressure in the cabin drop suddenly, your mask will drop from the compartment above. Secure your own mask before helping children or those needing assistance around you.” I used to wonder why on earth I wouldn’t be instructed to help someone needing assistance first. The answer makes perfect sense of course – if you can’t breathe, how can you help anyone else? If you don’t care for yourself, mentally, emotionally, and physically, and if you do not love yourself, you cannot find peace. Without peace within, peace cannot be shared without.
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