In the quest for Svadhyaya, we are all like Matryoshka dolls (Russian nesting dolls) with our true essence residing deep inside. Through life we become surrounded by layers of “us” accumulated from education, experiences, and inherited beliefs. They shape how we see the world and how the world sees us.
Read MoreTo be clear—I’m a huge proponent of doing shit that scares you. It’s good for the soul. It’s confirmation that we’re alive. Nothing quiets the mind quite like stepping into something that demands our full presence.
So yes—do the scary thing.
But listen to what the fear is telling you.
Read MoreWould you still do the thing if no one saw it?
If you had no one to tell about it afterward?
If it was just for you—would you still go?
If our bodies were meant to be a certain weight and shape we would have an exoskeleton. We would all be walking around like crabs. Instead we have skin that is tough enough to act as the first line of defense against infection and injury, but malleable enough to allow our bodies to adapt and change as needed. There are SO many things that we cannot change that affect our shape. We call these non-modifiable factors in the medical world:
Read MoreBut surgery was not enough. In an ironic twist of fate Cypress required hours and days and months of physiotherapy. She had an incredibly long road to recovery that demanded consistent home exercises and follow-up appointments for intervention with a knowledgeable physiotherapist. (sound familiar?) She would make some improvement, and then regress for no explainable reason. We got frustrated, hopeful, doubtful and encouraged. As with any recovery process her trajectory was not linear, but overall she made progress.
Read MoreThe next couple hours is a blur. To be honest the next week was a blur. My amazing family rushed me to the ER where the excellent doctor stitched me up. He concluded that I likely did NOT have a fractured skull, ruptured ear drum or detached retina. Instead my blurry vision, temporary loss of hearing and ripping headache was the result of a concussion.
Read MorePerfection has been my coping mechanism for about as long as I can remember. It is my attempt to control chaos, hustle for and “earn” self-worth and belonging.
Read MoreI have been unbelievably fortunate to be incredibly active and remained injury free for most of my life which is something I attribute to a dedicated yoga practice. However, in 2005 I fell off an aggressive bouldering route….
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