This is the first in a series of responses to essays that were submitted for a Retreat GiveAway to The Yoga of Change March 20-23. People wrote about why this is the perfect time in their life for a yoga retreat. I, Jennifer Hubbard, along with my sister, Karla McLaren, author of The Language of Emotions; What Your Feelings are Trying to Tell You, will be responding together. Our approaches are different, but complementary. We welcome your response and hope this will become a conversation. Please direct responses to: Jennifer –at- self-authoredchange.com.

Original Essay

I am becoming myself again after 22 years of laying down myself for my children and ex-husband. Finding my voice in this world, redeeming and reconciling me to myself is my journey now. It has been difficult to give to myself over these years and I think that the Yoga of Change retreat would be a perfect way to begin that transformation. I need to restore and refuel my spirit, soul and body.

I have a fairly severe anxiety disorder which I take medication for and feel that I need new tools such as yoga, nutrition, meditation etc to balance and center me on this new phase of my life.

D.K.

Our Response

Dear D.K.,

The beginning of the Yoga Sutra, reads, “And now we come to Yoga.”

I interpret that to mean: “because we have tried everything else, without satisfactory results”.
I define yoga as connection and integrity. When we are connected to our breath in movement, it is enjoyable and energizing. When we struggle breathlessly to do something, it is difficult and uncomfortable. When we give to others from a half-empty place it is debilitating – like trying to do something while holding your breath. Giving to others is effortless when we are full. The fruits of a yogic lifestyle, or; “a simple, well-ordered life” is intended to put us into and keep us in this state of fullness. I would like to suggest that giving ourselves to others is not the problem; it is doing the giving from an emptied place that creates the problem – because you are giving something away that does not get replenished.

A yogic lifestyle can replenish us in profound ways. It can be challenging to lead this lifestyle in America because the lifestyle is a simple one; it includes a simple diet, rest, exercise, training our attention and becoming skillful in areas in which we need to grow.

You have naturally migrated to a life that gives you time and space to see who you are and gather your energy back; to replenish. The purpose of this time, viewed from a yogic perspective is to recreate yourself as a gift to the world. Yoga therapy can be powerful for anxiety. Your body, your nervous system is on high alert and needs to be comforted. Several things are highly suggested for treating anxiety – many forms of meditation are not recommended, by the way.

What would we recommend for you?
From the emotional standpoint, anxiety is an overload in the area of fear, and fear is an instinct if it’s behaving normally. So your instincts may be depleted.

So when we suggest things for you, we want to leave room for you to listen to yourself and restore your own instincts.

Anxiety can cause us to look everywhere but within ourselves for answers, which is where the greatest healing powers lie.

So, here are general recommendations that you should take as you see fit.

Relaxation/Meditation:

Yoga Nidra, or yogic sleep, is a guided meditation that can reset and train your brain to attain Delta and Theta waves states more readily. This meditation keeps the mind focused on specific tasks, so it allows (and sort of tricks) the brain to slow down. Watching an anxious mind will often cause it to speed up, something you do not need to do!

Yoga Practices:

I also recommend slow forms of yoga, restorative, yin yoga, or just a well paced Hatha class. Vinyasa style yoga is generally contra-indicated for anxiety.

Lifestyle:

Keep your diet as simple as possible, while being enjoyable. Make your meals very important. Avoid cold foods, cold drinks and of course stimulants and depressants like caffeine and alcohol.

Rise early enough to engage in a ritual that calms your mind before launching into your daily activities. Read a book on Buddhist philosophy, poetry, or a philosophy that you find uplifting for 15 to 20 minutes before launching into your day. Follow this with 5 Sun Salutations (choose any that you like) done slowly, never moving into pain, just to build warmth in your body.
No work after 7 pm at night.

Do not watch TV or sit in front of a computer after 9pm and earlier if possible.

Jennifer will be offering a Yoga of Change Retreat March 20-23 at Sunrise Ranch. Click here for more information

Share this article: