ABWY’s first yoga therapy program, Homebodies, has also begun! Meeting with clients as a yoga therapist in training has been the highlight of my working life so far! With each intake I feel more deeply affirmed that I made the right choice in continuing my yoga education.
In meeting with these new clients, I’ve noticed three common themes in ways to strengthen winter self care. I have a feeling that these are very common practices that could support you too:
Eat breakfast! I don’t care what you eat - fed is best. Eating something within 60-90 minutes of waking up makes a huge difference in the body’s metabolism, hormone production, and “digestive fire” as we would say in Ayurveda. When we don’t eat breakfast, our bodies actually start producing more stress hormones to propel us into our day. This can start a cycle of stress + fatigue that is really unpleasant and insidious.
Moisturize! Central heat is wonderful, but intensely drying. Creating a regular practice of oiling or moisturizing the body is an essential part of Ayurvedic personal care. Traditional Ayurvedic self massage, called abhyanga (which we practice in our monthly members only self care class!), uses sesame or coconut oil, but you can use whatever lotion you already own. In Sanskrit, the word sneha means both oil and love - there is an energetic intention behind the act of physically moisturizing yourself. You’re also applying a layer of self love. This is a beautiful practice for folks who want to reconnect to their bodies or increase self esteem / body image.
Recognize the dissatisfaction with current behaviors or thought patterns are not the prelude to change - they are part of change themselves. Change is not a conclusion. Change is an active process. Part of change is recognizing the warning bells of frustration, dissatisfaction, and other unpleasantries. Changing our long held patterns (called samskara in yogic philosophy) is hard work, and its often frustrating or disappointing. If you’ve had the same habit for 10+ years, it is going to take time to notice it is no longer benefiting you, and even more time to disrupt the habit, and install a new one. So those challenging, unpleasant feelings, are not the sign of failure - they are a sign that you are already doing the work of change