Our intention this month - “I release the mental burden of expectations” has brought me to yet another place of self inquiry in the more general sense - “mental burdens” - what are mine? how can I honor them? share them? and shift them so I am fully present in the joy of the holidays.  

 

The Bhagavad Gita (a 700-verse Hindu scripture) states:  “for him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his very mind will be the greatest enemy.”

 

My writings and classes in the Calm Crew are an attempt to journey along with all of you so we can make our mind our friends.  As I always say, anyone can take a yoga class and move physically, but that is not what yoga represents for me.  I am grateful that by joining me, it affirms that each of you see the value beyond the poses.  Life happens, shit happens, joyful times come and my goal is to experience all of them fully and with grace.  Left on my own, that is not possible - I need to do the work and now sharing it with a group of people committed to this higher self gives me the inner fortitude to keep doing the work and keep learning so I can share with all of you.  Together we’ve got this, on our own - well maybe, maybe not - but either way it won’t be as easy!!!!

 

What else can we do? let’s try a simple technique monks use to reprogram their minds: they repeat a simple phrase: “I Make my mind my friend”.  They repeat it over and over in their head.  In Jay Shetty’s book “Think like a monk” he says “when you repeat a phrase, it quiets the default mode network - the area of the brain associated with mind wandering and thinking about yourself.  The monkey mind will be forced to stop and listen.”  This is the same idea as my monthly intention, make sure you have it written somewhere or as an alert in your phone to remind you of your integrity for this month.

Furthermore, in regards to this repetitive “self talk”- I mentioned in class this morning another habit I picked up this week: I came up with 3 words that describe who I want to be and I am repeating them whenever my mind drifts to the negative.  Mine are:

I am content, giving and healthy!  

 

All of these little practices really do help when you are in a difficult situation.  The key is developing a routine and being consistent, and consistent even in the joyful, easeful times.  If you strengthen your spiritual connection through this work during the good times too, you will feel the joys more fully and you will be in the habit of spiritual inner connection when the shit hits the fan and you will have the habits in place

 

Last week I asked you to write a non negotiable list of 3 things you will do for yourself everyday for the next 2 weeks.  It can be any of my habits or make your own.  I promise the effort you put in is worth it and the mental burdens, if you have any, will be released with ease.

Here are mine:

1.Each morning I wake up and walk my dog for some fresh air and a burst of cold therapy lol.

2.Then I grab my meditation and prayer books, my journal and I sit with my warm lemon water, often wrapped in a blanket (thanks Maggie) on my balcony for more cold air and first morning sun vitamin D.

3.Next I practice yoga or do something physical.  

4.I reach out to a friend or someone in my family so feelings of isolation don’t creep in.

5.I try to walk with someone during the day.

6.I am sleeping terribly so midday I lay down under my weighted blanket and listen to a 15 or 20 minute yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) on utube.  (Thanks MaryJo for the suggestion)!

7.Before bed I read a nighttime meditation and do a short journal entry.  Right now I am reading “Think like a Monk” by Jay Shetty - that’s the icing on the cake haha.

 

Continue to show up, do the work, stay present and find the joy!!!!

 

Please help me get the word out - share my website with anyone you think would like to join us and post about it on your instagram - that can be your holiday gift to me!!!!!  thank you!!!!!!!

 

A few of you have asked if you can purchase a trial membership or a drop in class as a holiday  gift for someone - absolutely and there is still time if you have anyone who you think may benefit from this community!!! Remember they don’t need to be yogis!!! Email me and I will share with you how to send them this gift of self care, super easy to do on the website!  

 

Also on the website is a link to the New Year Mind, Body and Spirit Cleanse with Organic Krush happening in early February!  Another great gift to give yourself or someone else for the holidays!!!!

 

 

Remember who we are……..

Why the “Calm Crew”?  Think of the Scandinavian word - hygge: [ˈh(y)o͞oɡəˈho͝oɡə] NOUN - 

a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).

synonym: calm

Together through The Calm Crew we will create a spiritual community of like minded people, conviviality, trying to find the calm and joy in life!

 

 

“I’m Just Saying……”

There is a lot of content above so I attached a worksheet to your email today.  Take a few quiet moments to answer the questions and set yourself up for joyful, amazing holidays and an abundant 2021!!!!