Winter...
energetically, a time of tucking in, settling, going to ground and gathering strength...
This holds all new meaning this year as we are already somewhat tucked in.
It feels like it's been a whole year of winter.
We have been forcibly grounded.
And while there is definitely a gift to be found here, a jewel in the midst of the chaos and despair, it is also important to acknowledge the grief that we are all feeling. Grief for what has been lost...and for some, grief for what was never known...a loving family, happiness, joyful holidays, togetherness that brings safety and love
One challenge this long cold season may well be to investigate and perhaps change the way we deal with adversity.
It is easy enough to want to wish this all away
Another possibility is to really get clear about how to meet life as it is: often joyful, yet equally often fraught with pain and suffering
I'd like to invite us all to NOT just hold collective and individual breaths for this to go away, waiting to start living later, but to fully engage with the truth of life
AS IT IS IN THIS MOMENT,
as Zorba the Greek famously said: "The Full Catastrophe"
The vaccine may or may not be the answer to the virus.
The new administration in the US will unlikely immediately, quickly or easily unravel and heal all the racial and sexual inequality, suppression and abuse; the economic disparity; the environmental destruction; the hatred that has made itself known; the division, the disbelief, the mistrust, the lack of truthfulness... the list goes on and on.
Yet healing takes time
and a mountain of brokenness has been revealed this year.
Let's agree to stay engaged-but not in a panicked way.
Let's take the opportunity that this time of stillness in winter (and the necessity of staying home) brings to sort through all that has been and see what really matters to you AND to the world in which you live and love, full of very real, suffering yet always radiant, people, just like you. We are all connected.
Set the intention to stand up for the things you feel are unjust, but allow this resistance to come from a place of strength and courage rather than from a place of fear.
Use this time to really get to know yourself and what you value, so that we can begin to create the world of our dreams that can realize our interconnectedness and the value of support and love and community for EVERYONE without exception.
We each have a unique and precious gift that the world awaits.
AND I know that this practice is a luxury that is sadly not available to all, so let's agree to do hard work for ourselves AND all those who are unable for any physical, mental, emotional or spiritual reason
( NO more judgment and hate, y'all...please...we are ALL connected and there is plenty of love and understanding to go around💕🙏)
The more we can be honest and respectfully conversant about the truth of suffering, the more gratitude for what we DO have can bloom. I believe that honesty and respect can open the door to the deep healing and more open and inclusive conversation that is called for
"Our lives, just as they are, plain and simple, are filled with miracles.
Nothing special, nothing holy;
or rather,
everything special, everything holy."
~ Taylor Plimpton
December 21 marks the Winter Solstice-let's work together to truly experience the RETURN OF THE LIGHT
As always, first of all, give yourself the gift of deep and restorative rest! There is hard work to do now
🙏😴💝
Here are the yoga nidra opportunities:
December Yoga Nidra
Community Based Yoga Nidra for Razz Yoga
* free for Razz Community
$20 drop in
Friday December 11
7pm EST
Global Donation Based Yoga Nidra via Zoom
~Tuesday December 8 at 7 pm EST
and
~Sunday December 20 at 1 pm EST
**NOTE NEW TIME**
✨Come celebrate the Return of the Light✨
Join me LIVE via Zoom for a deeply restorative and healing practice, especially beneficial for the nervous and immune systems
and enjoy the physiologic effect of
2-6 hours of RESTFUL sleep!
* All registered participants will receive the full audio recording after the class
* No prior experience required -this is a restorative practice done lying down-NOT a posture practice
Can't join us live?
The recording will be offered on my website after the class for $10
Individual guidance via Zoom
These sessions are tailored specifically for you, with your unique life history and circumstances.
My intention is to offer a customized blend of mindfulness meditation, yoga, yoga nidra,
energy medicine and life support to guide you in navigating these challenging times.
These self empowering tools and practices have transformed my life-and continue to do so.
I'm honored to share them with you.
Remember: your healing work serves us all🙏
Email me to inquire about cost and availability
MORE FOR YOUR HOME PRACTICE
(AND awesome holiday gifts for those you love💝)
ALL MP3s are still 33% off 💕
I cannot overstate the fact that deep restorative rest, quiet, and stillness are so very necessary for all of us right now! Practice at home to maintain vibrancy and resilience
Visit my store for NEW full length yoga nidra recordings
from the last virtual sessions-
Here's a beautiful article from the amazing Robin Wall Kimmerer, the author of Braiding Sweetgrass. Nature has so much to teach us🙏💕🌿
And may you be strong and courageous enough to see how much the small things matter... and the how the small things are really the big things-like this precious breath, this precious moment , each of which happens only once
Help whoever you can, however you can, whenever you can
Give from the heart
Smile with your eyes
Realize that your well being, rest and self care is ESSENTIAL for you to have the strength to help others
Rest Fiercely
Love deeply
Offer care in ever widening circles
Be grateful for everything
And yet don't turn your head away from the pain, for, as Rumi says, "...that's where the light enters you..."
Commit to truly welcoming back the light after this long and challenging year
I wish you love beyond reason, compassion and understanding beyond words, respect for your journey, appreciation for your presence, gratitude for your unique gifts and deep reverence for this life we all share
Have a safe, healthy and peaceful holiday season and a bright and shiny new year
love gina
🙏💝☮️♾🌎✨
