My Experiential Reality
5 years ago I was beginning a new phase of my life, in the midst of my 2nd divorce, living alone and for myself for the first time ever in my 30 years and deeply committed to diving into self-healing. I wanted to manifest the life and love I had always longed for, but never felt I deserved. I dove in head first and with both feet. I signed up for every self-help program, webinar, book, etc...But I was taking on too much at once when I had good energy and then not being able to maintain it throughout the month. Then I would go on a spiral of shame and self-hate that I couldn't finish anything. UGGH! Why am I bringing this up? Because it doesn't have to be that way.
"Urban Monk" writer and wellness guru, Pedram Shojai OMD, was a pivotal influence during that time, presenting the idea of committing to a 100 day devotion, a Taoist idea referred to as a Gong. While his program was one I never completed, it was the inspiration for me starting this life changing habit.
When you commit to something everyday with respect for self-care it creates a new pattern, wiring you for positivity and self-love. It begins a tipping point toward the light. I wanted to devote myself to a ritual for as many days possible. I began that journey and started over so many times I lost track of counting and just aimed to do it everyday it was physically possible. From this single devotion I began to build the life of my dreams through devoted self-care.
"Urban Monk" writer and wellness guru, Pedram Shojai OMD, was a pivotal influence during that time, presenting the idea of committing to a 100 day devotion, a Taoist idea referred to as a Gong. While his program was one I never completed, it was the inspiration for me starting this life changing habit.
When you commit to something everyday with respect for self-care it creates a new pattern, wiring you for positivity and self-love. It begins a tipping point toward the light. I wanted to devote myself to a ritual for as many days possible. I began that journey and started over so many times I lost track of counting and just aimed to do it everyday it was physically possible. From this single devotion I began to build the life of my dreams through devoted self-care.
Key Lessons
- Start Small
- Stay Adaptable
- Stick with it
Starting small
I learned to start simple with this habit knowing I needed something I could succeed at daily. I chose an easy daily yoga practice. At first I followed a sun salutation chart I found. Sun-Salutation is a widely recommended daily routine for everyone. It is a perfect foundation to build a body around. Over time I refined this routine as my experience with yoga and connecting with my body grew. With much practice on my own and a few full classes here and there I learned to create something for myself that is completely personal to what feels good for my body. I deepened my sense of self-awareness, self-love, and will-power through this practice of daily devotion.
My Morning Movement Ritual can be as fast as 3-4 minutes when I am really pinched for time. If I can be relaxed about time and want to draw it out, I slow it down, with longer deeper stretches and add on exercises/movements for more like 20 min. The idea is to have something that is gentle and nourishing at its core with the potential for strength and conditioning to be built in.
Stay Adaptable
I cannot tell you how many times I got into a rhythm with exercising and had to abandon it because well my period made it so uncomfortable during and after. Frankly I just didn’t have the energy either. Did you know women have a hormonal cycle that changes dramatically 4 times a month!? This essentially makes her a different person every week. There is so much to uncover still about those details as I am in the midst of reading Alisa Vitti's book, "In the FLO" an important piece of literature that aims to empower women to understand their natural "infradian rhythm" in order to create a hormonal advantage in our lives. This is how we get our power back my friends!
Props to Melissa Ambrosini who hosted this amazing lady on her podcast a few months ago. When I heard Alisa’s method of cycle syncing with your life to optimize your natural flow of energy I was floored to finally have the keys I have been looking for to unlock my own cycle. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND EveryONE read this book!! Or at a minimum download the app MyFLO for an intro into this world of unlocking the female hormonal advantage. (Totally worth the $1.99)
The number 1 thing to note here is if you are having discomfort emotionally or physically anytime during your monthly cycle it is a clue pointing to an imbalance, for which there are many tools to remedy.
Understanding that we don’t have to feel like shit is ultimately empowering. But also recognizing that our body hormonally needs a rest period. Just as the moon slips away to nothing and our moon circle ceremony invites us to rest and set new intentions, our female rhythm has the same tempo and invitation. This is why when we are choosing daily devotions, as women, we should choose something as a baseline that caters to both ends of our energy cycle. Choose a daily ritual that can be adapted to your personal rhythm.
Stick with it
I have been committed to keeping this small habit for the past 5+ years, almost every single day. I am reminded of how valuable this habit is to my wellbeing every time I skip it. The first time I travelled abroad with my partner I was very casual about keeping my morning routine, and halfway through the 3 week trip I felt myself falling apart. I lost my shit so many times, unable to adapt in the moment to the stresses of travel.
Last Summer I insisted on taking my yoga mat travelling with us, so I would ensure my best self showed up to enjoy the journey. I strapped my yoga mat to my backpack to motivate my daily routine. "If I am carrying this thing around for 25 days I better use it!" And I did it, along with some dialed in supplements, almost every single day. My partner was right there beside me encouraged by my devotion. Let me tell you, what a difference it made! I was able to feel balanced throughout the trip and adapt to changing countries every few days.
Not only was I able to watch my dreams of travel come alive, but I managed to weave something of my everyday into the surreal experiences I was having. These were like vision board dreams manifesting...practicing yoga from rooftops overlooking a mosque in Istabul Turkey and a Greek island view of the sea were among the most picturesque experiences.
No matter where you wake up you have the opportunity to devote a few sacred minutes to hold gratitude for the body you inhabit, connect to source energy, and plant seeds of deep intention for your life.
And now, during the blurry days of Quarantine2020, it is something that grounds me, every morning, in my body:in my intention. Sometimes I wake up and don't know what to do with myself that day...so I mindfully choose to devote time everyday; Waking rituals of Lemon water, tongue scraping, teeth brushing, face washing and pooping...and then I roll out my mat to greet the light of day (even if it is gray and raining) and slowly begin to move my body, stretch my body, love my body. And then, I go about my day with a little more clarity, a lot more balance, and feeling much more comfortable in my own skin. Knowing, whatever else comes up during the day, I already gave myself some time to arrive. This is not all I do for exercise, but it is a good foundation for daily movement.
The Daily Devotion of connecting our MIND>BODY>SOUL@SOURCE undoubtedly changes the lives we lead, especially when that connection is made with a HIGHER SELF INTENTION...
The Ritual of the Intention...
...a Seed
. ( planting.tending.growing.harvesting )
The Ritual of the Intention...
...a Seed
. ( planting.tending.growing.harvesting )
Ritual Remedy
- Grab your yoga mat, or just a clear space on the floor (6'x3' minimum) best view possible
- Choose a favorite song that uplifts you in the morning, or queue up a few for your full practice
- Tune into Life Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo
- Start with a sun salute, cycle thru as many times as feels good
- Over time, make it your own...add poses in between and flex the ritual around your flow
- Take Shavasana at the end and let your body melt for a few moments, breathe deep
- With deep breaths come alive to movement again, stretch out long and squeeze
- Sitting up, take a moment to meditate on your intention for the day
- Stand with a gratitude prayer (see Below)
AND/OR
- DANCE PARTY!!!
Pro Tips
- Focus on POSITIVE MUSIC, AFFIRMATION or MANTRA to add a meditative quality to your practice.
- Remember to breathe; long, slow, deep breaths into all areas of your body
- Pause and linger in those achy places, stretching love deep into your tissues
Here's a quick video of what this looks like for me. I am not a yoga instructor, nor am I am fitness guru. I am someone who has always struggled to feel comfortable in my body. This practice has helped keep me connected to feeling good and grateful for this body I was given.
At the end of the video when I stand up I am reciting a daily "prayer" inspired by my training in Reiki. I have adapted from Reiki Daily Meditation Principles to fit a positive affirmation.
"In Gratitude I stand,
May this day,
My Heart Centered Intention
carry me forward,
MIND
BODY
SOUL
Living a life full of
JOY
FAITH
INTEGRITY
GRATITUDE &
KINDNESS
For Myself
My Partner &
All Living Beings.
May the divinity in Me
See the divinity in We."
~Sat Nam
(truth is my identity)
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