Yoga and Self Care

What is the difference between “yoga” and “self-care?” 

In my work, nothing. 

“Yoga” means “union.” It is the exploration of techniques to unify our experience of our breath, body, and awareness (a combination of thoughts, emotions and biology) so that we live in consciousness, connection, clarity and peace. YES PLEASE!

I have taught yoga, and trained yoga Teachers over the last two decades. So why the shift in language? Am I “leaving” yoga? Good gravy NO. 

I am opening the language of self-experience, of deep listening, of the cultivation of inner trust, of connecting to the essential life-force of existence, of being fully human, because that IS SELF CARE. 

The movements in practice (whether you call them asana, kriya or sally…ok that last one is a joke) bring the sensitivity, strength, balance and clarity to embrace our experiences. 

Meta-cognition (being aware that you are aware) is a “muscle” you can “strengthen” (whether you call that meditation or mindfulness) to discern inner truth from noise.
When we work with our breath, our bodies and metacognition, we can consdiously work with our emotional sensory system, a loyal ally who brings accurate information about our needs, boundaries, and trauma responses. 

YEP, those “pesky” emotions are your greatest resource in understanding YOU, and the practices of yoga (self care) are the exact tools we need to access our inner emotional resources.

So welcome to SELF CARE (or Yoga, or Sally, or whatever name you choose). Using our breath, body and awareness we can work with our needs; persistent fears and anxieties; irritations, resentments and anger; grief and loss; shame and self-worth; to REMEMBER AND EXPERIENCE our deep self-trust, safety, empowerment, wholeness and self-acceptance. 

I would love for you to join us.