This post and discussion came about in the week before the election, before the results started rolling in, before we knew, but it’s as relevant now as ever.
This week is crazy, full of anxiety. There’s a lot looming on the horizon, much of which we can’t control. We can cast our single solitary vote (and I hope you will!), but we can’t control the results of Tuesday’s election. It feels like so much is at stake, and truly, the only thing we have any say in is our own reactions.
Thankfully yoga gives us tools to find groundedness among the chaos. Being “grounded” is kind of a woo-woo buzzword, but what I mean here is simple: stability. The ability to remain present despite the chaos rattling around us.
Yoga is one tool for finding that presence. In class this week we shared with each other more strategies for finding stability in the swirl.
Be in nature. Find a tree to sit beneath. Lay in the grass next to a body of water. Work in the garden. Look at the vast expanse of sky.
Cook a meal. Smell the onions browning in the pan. Feel the texture of crusty bread. Taste the sweetness of butternut squash.
Take a hot bath. Add salt to the water, maybe some fragrant herbs or essential oils if you have them. Light a candle. Listen to the sound of Tibetan singing bowls.
Go for a walk or run or bike ride. Move your body through space. Go at a pace that feels nourishing rather than punishing. Notice the wind on your face. Notice your breath in your chest.
Do something creative. Paint with watercolors. Color in a coloring book. Make a collage out of old magazines. Don't judge the result.
Sing or play music. Sing any song you know. When you’re singing, you’re breathing. If you play an instrument, pick it up. Dust it off. Play a tune.
Spend time with children or pets. Absorb some of their magic. (Not that kids are the same as kittens, but they do sometimes have a similar energy!)
We have many tools to find that sense of groundedness. Use the ones that work for you. I’d love to hear from you! What other strategies do you have for finding peace in times of anxiety?
Much love,
Bear
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