2020 has been teaching me about loss, instability, impermanence, life and love. My beautiful Aunt died this year, I lost 80% of my business, my husband could lose his job, and I can't see my beautiful yoga teachers, yoga students or friends. And I know coronavirus has affected many people more deeply than me...
I've watched the news, been horrified by news from around the world, tried to gauge how scared I should be and then turned the tv off. Covid 19 has asked me to face my mortality, question what I value, and re-discover or re-invest into the purpose of my life. I've called people I haven't spoken to in years, wandered aimlessly through my house, seemingly without purpose or awareness for days on end, and tried not to lose a sense of what is meaningful to me while everything else is in a huge flux.
Luckily the sense of meaning for me is not something outside of my spiritual practice. So I've increased the amount of time and practice that I do and this has helped enormously with the amount of change and loss of freedom that has been effecting us all at this time. And I've been reading the Tibetan Book of Living & Dying which is a source of great inspiration for living and preparedness for dying that I have ever come across.
Pranayama
Samma Vritti - the 'even numbered' breath
The feeling of safety and grounding that comes from breathing in and out to the same number of counts is incredible for those that are struggling with so much change and loss. Simply sit in a comfortable position, breath in for a count of 4/6 or 8 and exhale for 4/6 or 8. When you practice for at least 5 mins you will sense a change in anxiety or over-stimulated feelings, practicing for 15mins minimum you will notice an even greater response from your Vargus Nerve and the parasympathetic nervous system to 'rest & digest'.
Yoga
Practicing slow yoga which is focussed on relaxing tension as you are in posture, and breathing in Samma Vritti while you hold each posture of 2-5mins. Practicing slowly allows you to become aware of the sensation of the posture and how the breath is affected by the posture. Then you can work to release the tension from the breath and body which has a direct impact upon the balance of the mind. Greater stability of mind is experienced when you practice a full body opening, so try to practice, sitting, kneeling, standing and laying down postures. Maybe just 2/3 postures from each area, with long holds of over 5 mins kept until the end of the practice.
Mindfullness
Become gently aware of needing to make sense and meaning out of this global experience and shared loss of what was normal for you. If possible watch that desire to create meaning, as it arises and passes away...
Metta
Give loving kindness to all those suffering at this uncertain time. Give metta to all the helpers who are putting themselves last to help others. Give strong metta to yourself and the relationship you have with yourself and allow this love to expand to include everyone, including the earth and animals, including the ocean and the rivers. Give strong metta to the entire universe and your place within it.
Comments