When I was a single yoga teacher living in a small loft in glorious Golden, Colorado, my daily sitting practice was natural. Then life changed, I became a wife, a mama and suddenly, life did not center around me anymore.
It has taken a few years of trial, error, and creativity to discover a stillness practice that nurtures me. My sustainable stillness practice consists of 10 to 15 minutes of sitting or quiet in the morning, pausing as I transition into my day in order to reflect upon how I feel. Making the mindful intention to carry that essence and connection with me into my day, these are my meditations:
~Carefully preparing myself for the day supports my desire to be authentically connected to my true Self and honor Her.
~Pausing to appreciate how soft the Earth feels under my feet makes me more aware of the ripple effect of my words and actions.
~Noticing the warmth of the Sun on my face reminds me of my need to remain connected to a slower natural rhythm in order to flourish.
~Taking a few slow deep balanced breaths, before helping my little man to overcome something that is overwhelming him, connects me back to the desire of being the best mama I can be.
~Honoring all of the energy and effort that went into growing our nutritious food supports the choices that we make in loving the Earth on a more intimate level.
~Stopping to notice the beauty in everything, even the small things such as moss on our morning hike, supports my gratitude practice and helps me see the world in a more positive light.
All of these small moments create an undercurrent of connection that is more radiant and true; more honoring to my Self, my family and my community. These practices nurture me through the challenges of being a stay-at-home mama to a wild little man with autism, the challenges of being a military wife, and the challenges of staying connected to teaching as a practice. I hope the idea of welcoming the day in your practice and feeling how this connection vibrates through your thoughts, movements, and actions resonates with you. Thank you for taking the time to share this aspect of my journey.
Photo Credit: Vanessa Cerday Photography