After a few days of this my body usually says “enough”. An excess of eating, effort, and activity over the Christmas period is all part of the fun. It also leaves me feeling a bit frazzled. What I need now is some time to rest and digest. Legs-up-the-wall is a favoured post-meal pose of mine and I can’t beat simple relaxation pose for calming my nervous system – almost like a reset button.
Author Archives: Carol Doyle-Plikk
The 3 minute home-office commute
Several of my students have told me that they are much less physically active in their home office. One thing they point to is the lack of interruptions from co-workers. A normal day at work would be punctuated by chats at the coffee machine, moving between meetings, and frequent small interruptions in person or on the phone. The lockdown home office is characterised by sitting in front of a webcam for hours at a time, followed by a few short steps to another part of the house at 5pm. Whatever your physical training routine might be, I am hearing that people are also missing that diversity of sensory stimulation and the mental space to process the days events.
Am I doing it right?
You can ask yourself one important question while practicing mindfulness:
Do I feel contraction or expansion?
Contraction is a closing, a tightening, a heaviness. Expansion is an opening, an ease, an opportunity.
3 blankets for everyday practice
I have been wondering how to facilitate a nourishing home-practice for students during the coronavirus lockdown without the need to invest in expensive props. Being able to change the shape of the floor or the length of your arms using props makes poses more accessible and comfortable. With many of you now building a homeContinue reading “3 blankets for everyday practice”
Curiosity in mindfulness practices
Yesterday, I learned something new. I was sitting, listening to a guided body-scan, when the guide said:
Let the breath breathe itself. There is no right way to feel. This is what the practice is about: seeing the patterns that take us away from the present moment.
How to start a home practice
Daily home practice helps you to replenish the energy you spend while out living your life. This helps to reduce stress and increase your feelings of vitality. Home practice is the core of your practice. It helps you to understand deeply how your body works and what you need to be nourished. Do more ofContinue reading “How to start a home practice”