Growth in Mind, Body and Soul
As flowers begin to bloom, and sunshine gets brighter it is natural to feel the urge to grow.
Plants take time in the winter to get grounded, shed wilted petals and create space to bloom again. We too can shed the old patterns, thoughts and emotions that have been holding us back and create space to blossom and grow this season.
The Lotus flower sets roots in the mud, grows towards the surface, setting a lily pad and creating stability before the bud begins to grow. Once the self feels safe and has stability, it can grow and bloom in the beautiful Lotus flower.
Growth can happen in any layer of our being, or what are called the Koshas, in Sanskrit. You can grow or change in your physical body, your energy body, your mind, your heart or in your soul. Listen inward and see what layer of the being needs to heal and grow right now; which kosha needs to shed old patterns and create space to grow into the person you are becoming.
No matter your age, your experiences, you have the power to change within you all the time. Never stop growing, learning and changing into your True Self. Let that self shine like the sun. When you shine your truth, it gives others permission to do the same. When we grow as a community we elevate each other and create space for all to thrive and live their truth leading to happier, healthier people all around us.
In April our daily practices focus on personal growth. This may mean you are shifting your mindset, finding more acceptance in your heart, it may mean you are taking steps to honor your soul's true path. Whatever your inner self is calling you to do honor it.
Try these daily practices to explore that inner self and grow.
4 Daily Wellness Practices to Grow and Heal:
1. Create Stability: Set healthy sleep routines and emphasize balance throughout your days. This means don't work/exercise/socialize until you are exhausted; give yourself a little energy at the end of the day to attend to your self and your needs. Create a bedtime routine, a morning routine, eat healthy meals and snacks throughout the day and stay hydrated. When our bodies are nourished, rested and hydrated, our minds, hearts and nervous systems feel more grounded and calm.
2. Small Daily Effort: Growth doesn't happen overnight, it happens as the accumulation of many tiny steps along the path. Start small, and don't rush healing and growth; let it unfold like the petals of the lotus flower when it is ready. This may look like journaling or meditating once a day for 10 minutes, taking a daily yoga class, or making time to read each evening. Whatever you are being called to do, do it often, in small amounts and keep doing it.
3. Grow Together: Flowers and trees thrive when they grow together, and struggle when they are alone. They need the energy of others to blossom, and so do we. Sharing your journey with someone can help you stay on the path, and encourage each other through struggles that arise. This may mean joining a support group, finding a gardening buddy, or connecting with others online. Knowing that you are not alone, and that others may have answers and support when you get stuck is so powerfully healing.
4. Practice Non-Attachment: Non-attachment, or Aparigraha in Sanskrit, means that we set the goal but are not attached to the way in which we get there or how it looks when we arrive. Instead, we let the guiding intention help us make smart choices along the way.
For example, during the pandemic, I faced potentially having to close the doors to Lotus Yoga Studios, but when I reflected on the real goal of Lotus it wasn't to have a studio that was a certain size, or looked a specific way, it was to build a community of like-minded yogis through trauma informed yoga and connection, and then the answer was clear. We downsized to our current Arlington studio space and practiced online to keep the community together. By releasing attachment to how Lotus should look, and creating space for the real purpose, we were able to keep the teaching team, build community and come back thriving post-pandemic.
I hope these practices and shifts in mindset help you grow this spring. Remember that it is a journey of growth, and doesn't end at the end of this month. Let these practices become a part of your daily life and let things unfold in their own time. You will be surprised by the summer how much you have bloomed!
Hugs,
Ren