Acceptance
Acceptance. Wow, this is a hard one…right? This morning, I woke, ready to take on the day. But I wasn’t ready for my Monday Kundalini class.
If any of you have taken Kundalini you know that it can be a very intense practice. It challenges me physically, mentally, spiritually bringing instant awareness to the blocks within. Old bike injuries along with my still lingering pandemic blues make it very challenging.
This am, I was not wanting a challenge. I was not wanting pain. As I groggily drank my morning coffee I began to open up to the acceptance that, yes, Kundalini will be a challenge. It always is. It will hurt. I will struggle. But I still decided to just accept all this. Yes, Kundalini is going to kick my ass!
Walking into class with this acceptance, I began to move within the practice. But my mind had shifted slightly. Instead of telling myself to prepare for the pain I told myself: Casey, accept it. Whatever comes your way, don’t try to change it or avoid it or attach to it, accept it.
As we held the most difficult poses for a rotator cuff injury (arms over head) I found that yes, it was difficult, but it became less difficult than usual. Was this because I began to see these poses, this practice for what it was instead of what I created in my head? Within this acceptance were things not really as bad as I had created?
Acceptance doesn’t mean we don’t seek to change something but when we can accept something for what it is, accept someone for who they are, accept ourselves for who we really are then we see things as they are, not for what we imagine them to be. Within acceptance we can bring on real change, connection, presence that is needed instead of what we think is needed.
Take Away Practice
Last weeks focus was non judgment. Judgment will always arise and with this simple practice, which you can do anywhere, you can begin to open up to judgment, get curious, without attaching to this judgment or avoiding it. I hope you enjoy it!
Last Week
Last week in Adventures within Somatics, we did energy work to fuel an adventurous hike up our own mountain as we explored judgment.
We did a natural breath practice followed by a breath awareness mindful meditation as we allowed ourselves to be open, curious, non judgmental, to judgments that arise during Thursdays Breath Works & Mindful Meditation class.
Ending, or beginning, the week with Sundays Rest & Digest, we worked with grounding and opening poses allowing us to open up to any judgment that arises then letting it fall away.
This Weeks Class Overviews
Wednesday Aug 16th, 2023 4pm PT/7pm ET
In Adventures within Somatics, we will play with movements and visualizations. Class is open to all ages, abilities, and levels.
Thursday Aug 17th, 2023 6am PT/9am ET
During the Sunrising Meditation & Breath Works, we will reconnect within our breath and a Mindful Meditation within stillness. Class is open to all ages, abilities, and levels.
Sunday Aug 20th, 2023 5pm PT/8pm ET
For our most delicious class of all…Rest & Digest, is the ultimate stillness practice within comfort allowing us to reset. Class is open to all ages, abilities, and levels.
Even though classes have started you can still join us. Sign up gives you access to weekly class recordings, even if you can’t make the live zoom classes.
With much Luv and Gratitude,
Casey
Enjoy!
Take Away Practice
Opening to Judgment Breath Practice
You can do this practice sitting down, standing, laying down and can be done at anytime to bring you back to center.
Either soften your gaze or close your eyes.
Focus your attention on your breath. Breathe in, breathe out. Just take notice, no need to change the breath or judge.
After a few moments, bring your awareness to any judgment that arises.
Do your best to not judge this judgment, be open to it and maybe even get curious and ask:
What emotions or feelings arise from this judgment?
Is there a part of your body where you feel this judgment: stomach, heart, head, back. Again, just take notice.
Give a name to this judgment: fear, stress, anxiety, joy, love, passion, jealousy.
Then allow the judgment to float away or dissolve.
Bring your awareness back to the breath.
You can repeat this process or slowly flutter your eyes open and take a moment to be present with your breath.