How are you?
No really, I mean it.
If you don’t feel ok, you’re not alone.
Most of us are living with unprecedented stress that our relatively young (evolutionary) nervous systems are not equipped to handle. We go into fight or flight, and then lots of people go into shut-down. It’s not you, it’s the demands of modern, industrialized life.
We are far away from living in conditions that promote healing and resilience.
You want to feel better and are not weak-willed. You have likely tried your level best to emerge from what ails you. But you are exhausted.
One thing I’m sure of, the message from our culture is that working harder, stretching more, insisting that we walk 10,000 steps even if it hurts is how to live our best lives.
All of those are great if you are already resilient and without chronic pain/injury.
From 20+ years in practice, and knowing so many skilled and generous practitioners, I’m confident to say that all of us can improve our quality of life by restorative practices that help un-do so much of the doing that’s worn us out.
Restorative practices include (but are not limited to) Feldenkrais, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Nia Dance, the Melt Method, Meditation, Reiki, EFT tapping, Hypnotherapy. Find a practitioner near you or online. Be brave enough to step off the treadmill (literally. At least occasionally).
Consider trading in one aggressive stretching session for a restorative practice.
You might be surprised how doing less can lead to feeling more alive, even in these times.
Here’s to living well and compassionately with yourself and those around you,
Love, Linda
