PSA:You have the skills to stay grounded

Everything that you learn in yoga classes belongs to you outside of class. The importance of this cannot be overstated. While we know that you come to class to move your body in community and feel the benefits of a full yoga practice, ultimately, you take away some really important skills that help you navigate challenging times. It’s time to embrace them!

This is especially important currently, as each new day seems to offer a new set of anxiety-inducing news and drama. What are we, on an individual level, supposed to do with this onslaught of information? If you, like me, feel deeply overwhelmed by engaging with current events, then I encourage you to employ some of the many useful skills that you’ve learned on your mat. Here are my top three:

1. Breathe.

In yoga teachings, the first thing on the list is usually the most important thing to know. Breath gets the number one slot because it’s the most useful and accessible. Be an intentional breather. When you intentionally take a beat, take a breath and let that settle over you, things change (for the better) in your body and mind. The mindfulness of paying attention to any breath, in any given moment, is inherently calming. Do this for several minutes and the effect grows. If you are especially triggered and anxious, I recommend that you make your exhale longer than your inhale. I like a 4-beat inhale to a 6-beat exhale. This tells your parasympathetic nervous system that you need more help relaxing. Do it for at least a minute for up to ten minutes if you have the time. You will feel better, I promise.

2. Get into your body. Feel yourself there.

This can be really simple. Lay down in savasana. Put your legs up the wall. Take a minute in whatever position you’re in right now and place your hands on yourself. Feel your body. Feel your breath in your body. Yoga teaches us the power of embodiment, of the ability to feel ourselves in our bodies while in internal and external feeling states. Because we spend so much time in yoga grounding and settling our bodies, we teach our bodies to be a safe space in which to feel relaxed and calm. Practice going there quickly and efficiently and you can use that skill whenever you need a quick-fix for anxious thoughts and feelings.

3. Intentionally settle your mind through meditation.

Meditation is a powerful tool that can render the mind more quiet and steady. Admittedly, in my experience, it takes many years of practice to get to this place. If you are a consistent meditator, you can drop into that space at any time. Spontaneously meditating on an as-needed basis can be super helpful. If you are not a regularly meditator, this is your call to make it part of your daily life. There has never been an easier time to meditate with so many books, videos, apps and tutorials available. Do it consistently, for any amount of time that you can commit to, and you will slowly and steadily feel the benefits throughout your whole life.

For many of us in our yoga community, this is a time of strong external forces. You do not have to let those forces knock you down. Use the powerful tools of yoga to stay steady and keep yourself well.