COVID-19 Wellness

March 25, 2020. Week 2 of quarantine: Yesterday I had a total meltdown. I cried for a solid hour. My stomach was in knots. I felt as if my world came crashing down. It took me hours of meditation, hot tea and yoga nidra with a weighted blanket to calm my anxiety. At 1:00 am I finally fell asleep. Today is a new day. Time to hit the re-set button.

Like me, many of you are feeling the effects of this COVID-19 crisis. It is extremely heavy for those of us who suffer from anxiety, depression or PTSD. Know that you are not alone. We have the tools to come out of this stronger than we came in. We have this time for self-care and nurturing our soul. We know how to calm this storm and use the tools in our toolbox to stay grounded. My current toolbox consists of online yoga classes, meditation recordings, the CALM app, herbal teas, nourishing foods (yes I will risk going to the grocery store if I need to get fresh produce-currently not a hoarded item by panic shoppers), cozy clothes, essential oils like doTERRA Balance, Lavender and Deep Blue and my friends and family who are just a phone call or text away for support. We also have nature. Spend some time outside to breathe in some fresh air, take a meditation walk, forage or gather spring flowers. I am also so thankful for my dogs. I do not know what I would do without them. Pets = Joy. Learn from them. They are so happy you are home. And last but not least, do some spiritual work. We must have faith. Whether you believe in God or a divine power, know that something bigger than us is out there to answer our prayers. If we use all of these tools we have the ability to regulate our emotions, sustain our mental and physical health and we will get through this together.

If you would like to practice with me I am teaching Yoga for Stress Relief on Thursdays at 4:15 pm Live on Facebook @jennydaytonyoga and Saturdays, vinyasa flow at 10:00 am. Classes are 45 minutes and all donations can be made via Venmo to @OmBody. Classes are archived on my Facebook page as well under the videos tab or scroll through my news feed. I can also schedule private online lessons via Zoom at a reduced rate. Email mountainyogashala@gmail.com to schedule.

My homework for you today is to set an intention that honors your truth. Plant seeds for new beginnings. We are going to unleash all of our grit once this is all over and come out of this stronger than ever, stronger for ourselves, stronger for mother nature and stronger for humankind. We got this!

Namaste,

Jenny

Insights for the new year 2019

We often hear “new year new you”. However, we should not be seeking a new version of ourselves, rather how can we reveal our true selves? How can we live from an authentic place? How can we learn more about ourselves so we can live a better, healthier or simpler life? What do you need the most to achieve your goals? Perhaps, it’s more alone time to connect with nature, or perhaps it’s more time with your spouse or kids. Think of things that you need the most that don’t cost money, that aren’t material that make you truly happy. Sometimes we get stuck in our comfort zone or we acclimate to things as they are. Reality check: you can step outside your comfort zone. You can do one thing a day that scares you. You have a voice. You have the power to do anything you want or be anything you want. Stop making excuses and replace them with the words “I am”. If you want to be happy, then your mantra for 2019 is “I am happy”. Mantras are phrases that are repeated over and over to yourself daily. I like to take 5 minutes in the morning to meditate (this includes my coffee at 5 am) and say my mantra. Your mantra can also be something you are not. For example, “I am not anxiety”. In other words, anxiety does not define you.

What I am encouraging you all do this year, if you haven’t started already is to keep a daily journal with 3 simple prompts each day: 1. I am/I am not….(Fill in the blank with a word. This is your mantra for the day); 2. My intention for the day is to… (this may be a goal you have for the day or may be related to your daily mantra); and 3. I am grateful for…(fill up the gratitude jar!). It’s much easier to stick to daily goals than it is to long term goals (although those are OK to have too), but yoga reminds us to BE PRESENT!

Lastly, take time for self care. Go to a yoga class, go outside to walk or hike, take a day off from work, go get your nails done or get a massage, sit on the couch and read a book, whatever it may be that brings you peace, do it often! You can’t pour from an empty cup! A yoga teacher, who studied in India, once told me this: “In the east it’s BE BE BE. In the west, it’s DO DO DO. To be balanced it’s DO BE DO BE DO BE!”

From my desk to yours,

Jenny Dayton, RYT