I cannot believe we are already in December! As I get older, every year seems to gallop by faster and faster, the days, weeks and months seem to blur and often we can lose a sense of time. I, for example, am mentally still in my beloved Birkenstocks and floaty summer dresses walking along Waxham beach, ice cream in hand…. But then I realise, it is now in fact winter and Christmas is just around the corner.
However, I personally do love Christmas… the tree, the lights, the music, the food and drink, the films, getting nesty by the fire and spending time with friends and loved ones. But I am also very aware that, for some, this simply is not the case. Christmas can also bring feelings of loss and sadness. Whatever your beliefs and whatever side of the fence you sit on, I still feel that this time of year can be used as a time of reflection and an opportunity to be grateful for all that we do have.
This month, we will be exploring this idea with a “Yoga for Gratitude” series and asking you to be grateful for everything that you do already have in your life. However small.
The postures, breath work, meditation and mudras we will be working through this series focus on encouraging you to make room and nurture feelings of gratitude. In particular, to be grateful for our bodies, for all they do for us. Simply being able to breathe and move really is an amazing blessing! Heart openers are a great way of stimulating the body, in particular by drawing attention to the thyroid and pituitary glands that are responsible for regulating the metabolism and wider bodily functions. Through looking after our bodies in this way, we are showing them gratitude and respect for all that they do.
I have a little bit of homework this month for you…either when you wake up or go to sleep, I’d like you to focus on one thing you are truly grateful for in your life. After a while you may find that it’s difficult to pick just one, which is great; just keep adding to the list! Simply the act and intention of doing this daily will have a positive effect on how you feel and hopefully help generate some more of those warm and fuzzy feelings! Taking this opportunity to consciously recall and express gratitude also brings you to the present moment, therefore slowing down, even for a little while, that fast pace of life discussed at the start .
On the theme this month, I am excited and grateful to be taking a little break over the festive period to spend some time with my family and enjoy allllll the food!! Balanced Soul classes will therefore finish on Saturday 21st December and start up again on Monday 6th January.
I hope you have a wonderful month.
Merry Christmas.
With love,
Rae xxx