How do we move from numb to nourished?
I want to tell you something: I relapsed this summer.
My relationship with marijuana is a long and complicated one. I’m a sensitive person and that plant is like a warm cozy blanket, numbing the intensity of the outside world. She feels like medicine. I tell myself that she is medicine. I tell myself all sorts of things, but they aren’t really true.
Medicine is helpful. Medicine heals and makes everything better. For me, marijuana does neither of those things. If I keep her around for long enough, she just makes things worse.
I share this with you because I trust you to hold me in your heart with compassion. I share this with you because I know I am not alone. This year was a bitch of a year. And all of us, in our different ways, were confronted with our own patterns of numbing.
Numbing is quick and easy and its effects are short term.
Nourishing takes longer and is often more work, but its effects run deeper and last longer.
I know what nourishes me. When I wake up early, write, move, meditate, and breathe consciously, I am nourished. That nourishment stays with me throughout the day. It makes everything better, even when things appear to be falling apart.
How can we consistently stay in alignment with what nourishes us? (And if you are not sure what nourishes you, keep reading. I have some ideas about that.)
For me, I have to know my triggers. Pressuring myself, guilting myself, or telling myself I’m not doing enough are sure paths to numbing.
Conversely, tenderly asking myself what I need, giving myself a break, remembering that I'm doing my best, laughing at myself and those intense thoughts in my head: these are paths to nourishing.
And teaching. For me, teaching is deeply nourishing.
Offering classes every morning that comfort and connect with you has kept me aligned with what nourishes me: my practice. The more I stay aligned with my morning practice, the more inspired I am to help others stay aligned with whatever serves them.
Through this experience of relapsing and getting back into alignment, I found a deeper purpose, which is to support others as they connect with what makes them feel best in their life.
Most teachers teach what they themselves are learning. For me, this is long-term, committed self-care. This is continuing to align myself with choices that lead to nourishment, and helping you to do the same.
Much has changed in the last year. I suspect we will continue to see more changes as time flows forward.
One big change for me, as I am no longer running a brick-and-mortar yoga and wellness center, is that I can devote my time to what I feel is my purpose, which is teaching and serving others.
From the lemons of this year, I have made some lemonade. I’ve created a container for our nourishment, yours and mine.
I am calling it the Nourish Membership: all “the things” that may help you stay in alignment with yourself.
Maybe it is a daily 30-minute live-streamed yoga practice in the morning.
Maybe it is a daily 15-minute meditation or breath practice.
Maybe it is inspirational talks to help you keep your mindset where you want it.
Maybe it is taking two hours a month and immersing yourself in a nourishing practice as you retreat from your daily life.
Maybe it's practicing with a yoga video when you can and having the choices that suit your needs (slow, strong, soft, short, long, etc.).
Think of it like a buffet. Ask yourself “What do I need today?” and do that. Take what you need on any particular day. No pressure, no guilt.
I have learned so much in the last twenty years, mostly by giving myself a hard time and learning the hard way. But over the last two decades I have amassed a pretty large toolbox of techniques and practices that nourish me. Comfort, Consistency, Community and Connection keep me aligned with those practices. I want to help you do the same.
If this resonates with you, just click on the Nourish Membership on the navigation up top. Join anytime. No pressure. No urgency. Welcome.
