For me, practising yoga started mainly with a physical health focus – to maintain flexibility and posture, strengthen and tone muscles, etc. I didn’t start the practice of meditation until years after I started practising yoga, and what a difference it has made, not just in my practise of yoga, but in my life! Practising mindfulness relaxation and meditation has shaped my ongoing journey of self-development, gradually changing the way I react to and interact with others, which is much more empathetic (and therefore productive) than my communication used to be. I live happier and grow through my practice of focused reflection, acknowledgement of my emotions and whatever may be happening around me, and then letting go of what does not serve me or contribute to my highest good. I want to share and spread this light – if more people practised self-awareness, focused reflection and meditation, I truly believe the world would be a better place. It all starts with OURSELVES.
Although mental illness awareness has been on the rise in North America, there’s still a gap – just because you are not “ill”, does not necessarily mean you are “well”… From grade school, through university, and eventually to full-time corporate jobs, growing up in the city has been a constant rush of never ending lists of things needing to be done “to get to where you want to be”, while still maintaining a social life. I know the anxieties that arose from the pressure of becoming “successful” are not unique to me.
Going through the rites of societal growth, meeting all sorts of people on various journeys, I realized that so many people are barely living (and I mean REALLY living) in their present states. When asked, they aren’t necessarily unhappy, but so many “would rather be — ”. There are brief moments of pleasure and relaxation, but there is so much pressure within and around all of us that people often forget to breathe… Many forget to be present, they forget self-awareness, they forget empathy… they forget that true peace and happiness comes from within. Their days suck, their relationships with friends and the people they work with are weak and they’re constantly just busy with stuff they have to do… This is not to say life should be a permanent holiday; but we must make the most of it. We all face our own individual challenges, but there’s something to be said about being aware of and enjoying journeys while we’re on them. This is what I want to remind you of; to encourage and empower you with techniques and skills to live better, stronger, and happier.
With Love,
Valerie