Enjoy the journey

Enjoy the journey

I've decided to pause and slow down - again. Yes, I find myself here often. I recognize that my life has been rushing past me, and I lost sight of how to slow it down. Does that resonate with you?

The crazy part is that I teach yoga, meditation, and breathwork. I practice daily, have a solid morning routine, and still wrestle with the need, desire, and urge to "do" when what I want and need is to pause, rest, and savor each moment. 

There are days I move at warp speed and still feel like I can't make enough traction; the time passes, and there is still so much more that I want to do. The accelerated pace has been constant for so long that it takes effort - deprogramming- to remember to slow down. 

What helps me when I need to slow down is to double down on my practices. 

Do more yoga

Yoga is a practice of self-reflection, and meeting ourselves on the mat means learning to breathe through all the thoughts, emotions, and memories that arise when we move through our poses. The urge to run away can be powerful, but surrendering and breathing completely is the only way to get to the other side. 

Meditate longer and more often

I love my morning meditation practice, and when I need to slow down, a second meditation during lunchtime, late afternoon, or even before bed grounds me. Meditation is like a mirror that reflects what is going on in our overactive minds. Meditation brings us back to the present moment and aligns our mind, body, breath, and spirit. 

More breathwork 

I've found breathwork to be one of the most healing and transformative modalities. From quieting an anxious mind, creating more peace, shifting energy, and even releasing trauma, breathwork is powerful. And the best part, it's free and available to you. Allowing someone else to hold space for us is so nurturing, and I am practicing asking my classmates to guide me through breath.

Spend time in nature 

Being in nature is grounding in so many ways. I exhale so much better when I'm outside; It doesn't matter if it's sunny, rainy, or snowing. The walk, the crisp air, the smells, and the noises all ground me and fill me with gratitude to be alive. I always feel better and more relaxed after a walk. Try a mindful meditation on your walk. 

Epsom salt baths

I love my daily baths with lavender Epsom salts. Soaking in a tub, closing your eyes, and allowing the salts to remove toxins, help you destress, recover, reduce pain, and feel amazing!

Slowing down takes work. When I slow down, I face unresolved issues and must remind myself to practice self-love and compassion, let go of expectations, say "no" more often, and set healthy boundaries. Each time I've intentionally done this, I felt freer. Although often uncomfortable, I slowly released old stories, thoughts, and attitudes with every minor adjustment. 

When we let go of outdated patterns that don't serve us, we make room for new beginnings, changes, and blessings. The changes won't happen overnight, but every step in the right direction has a compounding effect.

Will you join me by focusing less on the destination and more on the journey and choosing more peace, love, and joy?