A Mindful Moment: October

We made it to October! Can you believe how quickly this year has gone? I think I say this every year, but I feel post-lockdown life has just got busier and faster, meeting people, doing things and generally trying to catch up with myself.

Not very Yogic I know, lockdown taught me to slow down, but since finding freedom again I have wanted to catch up with family and friends who I hadn’t seen in such a long time. So, taking a step back to reassess this “busy” way and how do I slow down? I am always very grateful that I practice and teach Yoga, it is my go-to for almost everything I do. I love Yoga, it is my happy place, it gives me the opportunity to slow down and tune in with myself.

Slowing down for me includes being away from any form of noise; the internet, my laptop, social media, TV, Radio, group social gatherings (weddings, parties etc) anything that is information and excitement overload. I was really inspired by Dr Rangan Chatterjee, he took 2 -3 weeks off social media and called it the SUMMER SWITCH OFF!

This quote really resonated with me and my yoga practice, “ When we are constantly reading and absorbing the views and opinions of others, it can be hard to know whether your thoughts are your own or those of someone else.”

In preparation for my Autumn Equinox Yoga Lunch and New Moon Retreat on the 25th September, I started to slow down and spend some time each morning before my yoga practice to meditate and think of 5 things, people, places I was really grateful for today.

Here are my 5 statements of gratitude...

When I look around me and see all the things I take for granted every day - hot water, a place to sleep, a roof over my head to protect me from the elements and somewhere I feel safe. It sounds simple, but it is the small things that really matter. “I am always grateful for my home.”

Similar to number 1, it’s the basics, washing hands, showering/bathing and having a lovely cup of tea. When we don’t have enough rainwater there are always BIG announcements on the news here in the UK “Water levels at a record low” “water draughts” “hose pipe bans”. It goes a little deeper than this but just for a moment imagine life without water!!! “I am always grateful for mother nature and the clean fresh water I can drink everyday.”

Teaching yoga reminds me that I am granted the gift to share, to be kind and to give something to someone else that means so much to me.

Yoga has been a constant in my life, supporting me with all the challenges and the times when I didn’t think I could. I want to share this experience with as many people as I possibly can and hope my offering will help someone to find their inner calm, peace and that they can too. “I am always grateful for the practice of Yoga.”

This BIG beautiful place, Mother Earth. Dharti mata, the planet we live and exist on, the place we call home. She is always reminding me there are so many things to be grateful for and to see the beauty all around us.

The images attached to this blog are from a very recent walk around New Mills, High Peaks, Derbyshire not too far from Manchester UK, where I am from. All this beauty on my doorstep! The beautiful place helped me to slow down, take my time, watch, see and be very present, away from the noise (as I mentioned earlier.) It was so grounding, refreshing and restorative to remove all that noise and to really hear my own thoughts again.

“I am VERY grateful for my beautiful Mother Earth.”

The irony of this post is that it is going to be accessed using digital technology! After going on about switching off and not listening to all the noise, I am very grateful for technology and the ability to connect with you here today.

I really hope my blog helped you during the transition of seasons this year, to be inspired by my “slow down” approach and to practise a little mindfulness each day. Let's practise together.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

Namaste

Love Jaina x

Jaina is the owner of Yoga with Jai, a registered and qualified Yoga teacher.

If you would like to immerse yourself in more mindfulness, explore and experience the philosophy and practice of yoga, join Yoga with Jai on-line or in person for weekly classes, workshops and Retreats.

jaina@yogawithjai.co.uk

Photo Credit: Jayesh Mistry