Peace
Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, hard work or uncertainty; it means to be in the midst of all these things and still have a loving and calm heart.
It is hard to believe that we are almost at the end of the year and it feels like chunks of time have just gone, and suddenly we are getting ready for Christmas. I know Christmas can be a tricky time for many people, not always something to look forward to for a variety of reasons. So go gently over this busy time and if you find yourself longing for some space, some quiet time, some peace – do as we do on the mat, give yourself 5 minutes of noticing your breathing. The technique below is called Box breathing and is something I use regularly. It helps also if you put one hand on your heart and one hand on your belly, close your eyes – and just 7 rounds of this helps calm the parasympathetic nervous system, to rest, digest and heal.
Box breathing, also known as four-square breathing, involves exhaling to a count of four, holding your lungs empty for a four-count, inhaling at the same pace, and holding air in your lungs for a count of four before exhaling and beginning the pattern anew.
Even if you have to take yourself to the bathroom to do this, it is a form of selfcare. It is coming back to the present moment, in which all things are possible. The Peace is inside of you, cultivate this and yes there will still be life to deal with, but you will develop and locate that inner calm, no matter where you are or circumstances you have to deal with.
This is yoga off the mat. One of the purposes of yoga is to still the fluctuations of the mind, not to turn it off, make it wrong, but to settle the mind and observe. One of the ways we can do this by concentrating on the breathe, we do this by using the breathe as a bridge between the mind, body and heart. So my wish for you and for myself is that we take the time and space for not only our family and friends but for ourselves also. As the gift is in the present – the present moment that is. The gift is you.
