Do you have a word of the year to use as your beacon?
Things are stressful right now. That's why my word of the year is sanctuary.
I can't promise "safe space" because I can't predict what'll be safe for everyone. I've struggled with "brave space" because I don't always feel brave myself. I welcome all feelings with open arms, offering refuge and compassion. So, my vow is to offer sanctuary.
I don't know if you'll feel safe or brave, but you'll be heard, welcomed, and embraced in your wholeness.
I know the embodiment work we do here is not self-indulgent, it's revolutionary.
I know you can find balance and avoid burnout.
With meaningful, sustainable self-care, clear boundaries, and support from others, highly sensitive people can thrive in an overwhelming world.
What would change if you could meet your current challenges grounded in a regulated nervous system, rather than numbing out, panicking, disassociating, or raging? (All appropriate responses, by the way.)
Stress management isn't only about breathing deep and relaxing our tension. It's also important to do something about the causes of your stress. I don't mean obsessive cleaning while watching hours of news. I mean having a deep awareness that your contribution to the greater good is valuable, and the energy and confidence to follow through on your convictions.
Keep showing up with self-empathy and self-care, and it will ripple out.
Expand your capacity to take compassionate action with Self-Love Yoga.
Here are 2 self-empathy questions you can reflect on daily:
- How am I really feeling?
- What do I most need right now?
Practice, and it will get easier.
Whether you struggle with perspective-taking, or you intuitively and viscerally experience everyone's feelings to the point where you don't know where yours end and theirs begin, this self-empathy practice will help.
Returning to the theme of sanctuary, I want to restate the values we share here:
In this community, we believe that social justice, equity, and trauma-informed practices are intrinsic to yoga. We're anti-ableist, body-positive, anti-racist, LGBTQIA affirming, & judgment-free. We embrace these values by modeling inclusive language, inviting empowered movement choices, offering free and paid options, and honoring yoga's roots.
If you breathe, you belong here.
Support for you during stressful times:
The Ripple Effect: Creating Change Through the Power of Your Relationships
Why Highly Sensitive People Are Magnets for Burnout, and What to Do
An Authentic, Effective Lovingkindness Practice Will Meet You Where You Are
If you're ready to love yourself wholeheartedly, Self-Love Yoga will teach you practices you can weave throughout your daily life to grow your self-acceptance.
It's a nurturing 45 minute on-demand workshop for highly sensitive, generous, empathetic people who tend to put themselves last. And it's $10 off for a limited time!
Learn more about Self-Love Yoga here.
"It's been a day 𼴠with 2 sick kids at home with stomach bugs. After caring for my daughter, it was such a gift to come back to the session and care for myself. I loved your gentle leading and meaningful practices!"
Stop Walking On Eggshells!
Gentle yoga to release your stress and shift your mindset about struggle.
If you get your buttons pushed often by other people's issues, you may be hypervigilant. You might feel it in your body as clenching, tension, or chronic pain.
You'll become more grounded in awareness of your body.
