Happy December! Here's some words I found from this old book called "Nature's Messages" by Sam Campbell. These words were hitting my heart as we transition from fall and begin to approach this season of rest. I am coming off a weekend of retreating at Casa OM with Yogamour where I felt the first flurries of snowflakes tickle my nose as we sat in community by the fire pit.
"But nature never knows aught that is inferior. Her moods vary, but her beauty is perpetual, every accomplishment supreme. Her moments are not competitive, not comparable. What she does this hour is the best that this hour can know, but in the time that follows will come that which is wholly different except in one particular - it will be as perfect and beautiful in its place as all that has gone before it. If in the moon of barren boughs the forest is not so bright and sparkling as during the carnival of autumn, it attains greater depths in meditation and happy seriousness. In this time it is learning things, reflecting, pondering, and it writes its conclusions with barren branches - a lacery of hieroglyphs against the sky. Now it can digest the experiences of the year and thus be suitably prepared for more revelation in seasons to come. This is the quiet hour, the hour before nature draws over itself the white blanket of winter and surrenders to repose ."
I know it can be scary to get quiet, to close your eyes, to be still. That’s when the memories come back, that’s when the pain shows up. This is also when we can make the choice to nurture ourselves with compassion. To quiet the voices of others and to bravely meet ourselves with our own truths and to inquire within about what our needs are.
Sometimes a Restorative Yoga class can feel magical and restful. Sometimes we experience an unsettling feeling. It’s very similar to our lives off of the yoga mat. Sometimes things feel really magical and in alignment and there are a lot of smiles and tingly feelings. Other times we can feel unsettled, confused, scared and stuck.
Stay with it… stay still… stay quiet…. LISTEN.
Listen into the space between the breaths. Feel the release of the holding on. Practice until you let go. Practice until your wounds turn to wisdom. Practice taking baby steps towards action. Move in the direction of love
Here’s 4 tools to help you support you in the coming months of winter:
Rest - I’m not just talking about sleep, although that is important too! I’m talking about conscious rest. Creating a ritual around resting and relaxing without a phone in hand or a computer in front of your face. Come to one of my weekly Restorative Yoga classes or one of my weekend events or even a full weekend or retreating with me!
Massage - Nourishing the feet and body through massage is such a good way to care for the body and encourage it to slow down. Check out a couple of my favorite massage practitioners - Andrew Rudell & Phyllis Jordan.
Be around water- Drink water and herbal teas and reduce caffeine and alcohol drinks. Water helps hydrate our system as we meet the dry, cool air of winter. Maybe even making extra time for baths or bundling up to take a walk down by the river to listen to the water flow.
Eat - Enjoy warm foods like stews, soups, and roasted veggies rather than cold/raw foods. Here’s a great, simple lentil soup recipe I’ve been enjoying lately.
I’d love to hear from you - tell me what are your favorite self-care activities in the winter?!