This time of year we easily find ourselves rushing, frenetic and simply exhausted. 2011 has been a monumental year of changes that have over stressed our already fragile immune, nervous and emotional systems. How do we stop the madness and regain control when it may feel like everything around us and even within us is going out of control and at warp speed?
Just stop. Literally, stop. Stop for a moment and take a breath. Ayurveda, the ancient science of life, provides some profoundly simple yet timely techniques for us to use today that come from thousands of years ago. It is as if the ancients knew what we were headed into. We cannot make changes for the better and bring control into our existence if we are not aware enough to notice how we over do it. We must first develop awareness and then we are able to shift our choices to ones that provide us with more balance, control and well being.
Begin by setting your alarm 15 minutes or more, earlier, yes, earlier. This extra time, if you will arise, will provide a bounty of benefits. When you awaken, use those extra minutes to gently stretch and do some Pranayama, breathing techniques. Try Nadi Shodahana, an alternate nostril breath pattern that balances the mind and body. After 6 minutes use the last moments to breath long and deep into your belly and feel inside your heart and lungs, and allow more gratitude, for what you do have and not worrying about what you lack.
During your day, when you notice a tightness coming into your body, breath again with awareness and observe what is creating this feeling. Are you over committing, making agreements you cannot or do not wish to keep, are you stifling your True Self? Take this time to let go of your resistance to what is and breath into acceptance. The space you make with acceptance, may open your mind to new solutions, which are blocked by the fear and anxiety of resistance.
At the end of your day, bathe and generously oil your skin with long massaging strokes. If your nature is Vata, more dry and frenetic, use a warming sesame oil with frankinsence, sweet orange or ylang ylang, if you are more prone to Pitta, a hot, firey nature which is driven and busy, try almond oil with sandlewood, rose or jasmine in winter, and if you are more Kapha, prone to calm or lethargic, even frozen nature, then try sesame oil with juniper, coriander or rosemary. Essential oils delight the nose and heart and calm the mind.
Finally, rub your feet with oil right before bedtime and spend a moment in gratitude and quiet rather than with TV or computer in bed, create a sanctuary for sleep and let the cares of the day go when your head hits that pillow.
Use time, breath, oil and gratitude to undo the tension and open your mind and body to calmness, balance and well being.
Nadi Shodhana
- Sit comfortably, left hand resting on left knee in gyan mudra, index and thumb touching.
- Inhale left nostril closing off right
- Exhale right closing off left, Inhale right nostril
- Close right exhale left, then inhale left.
- Close left exhale right, then inhale right
- Keep repeating this pattern for 6 minutes.
- At end, release nostrils, inhale, hold and exhale.
- Feel refreshed and centered.
- Use the time to deeply reflect on your heart and let your mind go.
Denise Kirpal Kaur, E-RYT 500, IKYTA Level II
www.divinelightyoga.com
