Facing the Future without Fear
“Always say 'yes' to the present moment. What could be more
futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to what already is? What
could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now?
Surrender to what is. Say 'yes' to life — and see how life suddenly starts
working for you rather than against you.”
― Eckhart Tolle
When we are fearful we compress ourselves.
This is an instinctive survival mechanism – our fight or
flight response.
But it’s inappropriate and we can choose a different
response thanks to our prefrontal cortex, that which separates us from other animals.
Don’t bully the body, just talk to it.
Observe
then
exercise “inhibition” – the ability to pause before acting,
rather than responding habitually -
then
redirect.
We don’t need to hold ourselves together.
We are together.
Intoxicating bliss pose (ananda madirasana) – breathe
through the eyebrow centre, thumbs press into soles of the foot according to
needs of the body (see Reflexology chart).
Alexander Technique:
Stand – which is your favourite foot?
Allow yourself to find balance. Body weight evenly
distributed between two feet.
Big toe, little toe, heel. Plug into the ground.
Ankles free of tension.
Identify 3 hinges: ankles, knees, hips – allow them to do
what they do, freely & fluidly.
Ask your muscles to relax.
Allow your pelvis to hang heavily like an anchor (but
remember it’s part of the torso).
Head lengthens up.
Use your mind to direct your body. You don’t have to “do”
anything.
"Say no to tightening my neck
Say yes to the rhythm of my breath in my back"
What is it like when I’m not holding on so tight?
Allow vulnerability
Feeling feelings doesn’t mean we have to tighten
Pause
Take a moment to stretch out your back, kitchen sink stretch into a table top using the window sill, etc.
Use wall to stretch out shoulder and widen back, lengthen
neck
Wall squat
Chair Work
Monkey
Walking – in order to move forward we need to press the
Earth away
Table (floor) Work
Yoga break: Majari-asana and tiger pose
Lie on floor with legs up against the wall (shoulder stand alternative which is good for anxiety)
Paint your feelings of vulnerability/ fluidity/flexibility
Butterfly effect – the mirror
Homework:
Observe, Inhibit, Redirect
& watch this TED Talk!
“Don't despair: despair suggests you are in total control
and know what is coming. You don't - surrender to events with hope.”
― Alain de Botton
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