My little girl was born just before the world locked down in 2020. It had been a rather stressful pregnancy, with lots of medical intervention, my husband was working long hours and I was looking after my two older children (only 3 & 6 at the time) and I was plagued by insomnia. Fear was in the air as we were bombarded with stories about a deadly virus ripping through the country. I was exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
After the birth of my daughter, the country was locked down, and my husband could no longer work. This really was an unexpected blessing for our family. Being self-employed, he hadn't had the opportunity to spend much time with our older children when they were babies. It also allowed me some much-needed rest after the birth, as I got to grips with night feeds again. As I settled into this new routine, it was like I could take a big exhale and finally relax. With this, 6 years of pent-up tension and exhaustion rose Once I allowed my body to release into rest (as much as I could with a newborn), I couldn't stop! I would struggle to sit up most days, I collapsed on numerous occasions, I was feeling guilty about not being able to play with the kids, and I was very depressed. I felt like an empty shell.
An avid yoga nidra practitioner for many years, I couldn't do it anymore! It was too noisy for me. Although I felt tired to my bones, my mind was wired and couldn't focus, and lying still listening to a yoga nidra recording felt like sensory overload.
Somewhere along the way, I remembered restorative yoga, and I started to practice every day. It was so deeply nourishing, and the feeling of support made me feel safe so that I could surrender the layers of deep tension in my body. The restlessness began to melt away, and I was aware once more of the unwavering support of the earth, and I allowed it to hold me. My breath felt more spacious, which made me feel calmer, relaxed, and more energised.
Slowly, I began to heal, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
This past year has involved some radical healing for me, and I am so incredibly grateful for my yoga practices (and my homeopath) that have served me, not only this past year but throughout different phases of my life. My practice looks so different than when I started 2 decades ago. I no longer care about trying to achieve difficult poses. In fact, most days I probably won't even roll out my mat as I may not have time. That doesn't mean I'm not practicing yoga, my life is my yoga practice. I do however have one practice that I do every day, and that is a daily puja. Sometimes it takes 5 minutes if I have the time 30 minutes. It anchors me and prepares me for the day ahead. Allowing me to arrive in the present moment, to contemplate and ask for guidance for the day, to ask the Devi to remind me of who I am and why I'm here and how I may serve her, to offer gratitude and devotion to the Divine, to offer a prayer of peace and blessings to my family, friends, and the world.
I hope you now feel that you know a little more about me and how I came to share the yoga I offer today. Thank you for reading.
I would love to know how your yoga journey started. Do you have a daily ritual? Let me know in the comments.
Ps. I'm pleased to say that yoga nidra hiatus is now over and I love it even more than before.
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