Before I begin this week's Muse I want to thank all of those who reached out in response to my Muse last week. As we all know, the issue of abuse of power goes far beyond women and yoga, and I'm so grateful to all of you who wrote to tell me your stories, or how my story had touched you.
This week I want to talk about something else that has resonated strongly within this DYD community recently - the number of people who are suffering from very real exhaustion, fatigue, depletion, or depression and are unable to shift out of this mode.
Society is all about goals, constantly striving towards something greater, achieving something more meaningful. The is a low-level incessant background hum of 'what are we working towards, how are we improving ourselves this week, what have we learned, or in what ways are we growing?' We receive these subliminal messages from the world around us and get caught up in the excitement and pressure of 'better and more'. Or are afraid of not keeping up, of missing out, or not being good enough as we are.
As part of nature, we humans need to recognise the cycles of expansion, contraction, letting go, and rest. We see this in the seasons, but modern society keeps us stuck in a constant 'summer' - the strong, extroverted, yang energy of accumulation, activity and success.
Right now, as we enter spring, we are in a period of renewal. There is growth, but it is young, sensitive, tender and tentative. It is the season before the abundance and ripeness of summer. For our ancient ancestors it was a time of extreme hardship as winter stores dwindled to almost nothing, but the promise of new growth provided optimism and hope.
Our bodies are programmed to the seasonal changes, and spring is the perfect time to reflect on our own renewal. What do you really NEED right now, rather than WANT?
For some of us it genuinely might be another qualification, or training for a big sporting event
But for many of us, the need will be deep replenishment and rest. And this takes time and commitment. And patience.
My needs recently made themselves startlingly clear as I woke up one morning 11 days ago with a clear need to not eat. I started fasting - a minimum of three days, with a commitment to simply follow my body's wisdom. I drank water, herbal infusions and fresh juices. I broke the fast yesterday on day 10, and feel so much better.
It wasn't about weight loss (although that's certainly a welcome side effect). It was about creating space physically, energetically and emotionally for myself. I experienced some new and interesting things during this fast:
I found myself naturally not wanting to watch movies and series in the evening
this was replaced by hot baths with epsom salts and lavender oil, and early nights - lights out by 9.30 every night (sometimes earlier) and asleep by 10pm
reading only inspiring and nourishing books, and journalling before lights out
during Yoga Nidra I felt easily transported to other realms of consciousness where I found great insight, rest and healing
during an Ayurvedic face massage my whole body was glowing from the effects afterwards
time slowed down and I naturally felt myself drawn inwards towards myself to process emotions I had been resisting
over the past few days I have been waking well before my alarm feeling rested
and today I even had the impulse to go for a short run on the beach during dog walking time - a barefoot trot in the sand that left me energised and excited
I'm not saying that everyone should fast (if you have severe depletion, a heavy job or an eating disorder it might be counterproductive or unsafe). But spring is the natural time when our bodies really relish the quietness of fasting.
However, I am saying that everyone should get in touch with their own needs. Get conscious of how your wants are pulling you away from your own deeper nourishment. Whether that is sleep, better nutrition, fasting, movement, time, stillness, nature... only you can know that.
I followed my intuition on my fast and it guided me gently and lovingly to do what I really needed, without resistance or forcing. It even surprised me on some things.
Set some time aside this week, first to get in touch with your deeper needs, and then to show yourself some love by honouring them.
Ask yourself the same questions that the pressures of the modern world frames you with - but reflect them inwards on your health, your nourishment, what your body, mind and spirit truly NEED:
'what am I working towards, how am I improving myself this week, what have I learned, or in what ways am I growing?'
If you're exhausted, depleted, fatigued or depressed, before you consider fasting, consider these three important points:
increase the quality of your nutrition - what can you ADD IN that will boost the nutritional value of your meals, BEFORE you start taking out. Then slowly work to reduce intake of toxins such as sugar, caffeine, processed and GM foods, before doing a short fast
increase your amount and quality of sleep. For you, a bedtime of 9pm, or even 8pm is necessary to ensure you get enough rest and give your body the crucial time it needs to rebuild and regenerate from whatever stress it has experienced, Naps are sacred
movement should be gentle and NEVER take you even close to your 'red zone' of tiredness. Easy walks, restorative or yin yoga, playful swims. Your focus should be on meditation and pranayama
I'd love to hear what your body is telling you it needs at this time of year.
If you're not clear what your deeper needs might be right now, I invite you to complete my Deep Dive Quiz online, and then sign up for a one-hour no-commitment FREE Discovery Call where I will help you identify the first steps you need to restore your energy, health and vitality so you can reach your potential without burn-out.
Get clear with my Deep Dive Quiz
My Awakened Potential programme is a year-long supported coaching journey offering you just that. If you think you could benefit from my guidance and support with twice-weekly calls, monthly one to ones, an awesome community to learn alongside and to keep you accountable, get in touch, We start in May.
I'd also love to invite you to join the deeply relaxing and replenishing Yoga Nidra workshop that I am hosting with Nirlipta Tuli, an incredible master in this lineage (and I don't say that lightly).
I was lucky enough to join his Nidra, Neuroplasticity, Mind & Brain workshop on day 2 of my fast (always the hardest) and it enabled me to give myself the rest my body needed and to completely S - T - O - P . . . . . And that set the energy for the next 8 days of juice fasting in ease. What a blessing.
Get a deep refresh with Yoga Nidra
I find his work so important that I want to introduce him to you all - I really hope you can join us (just £54 for a 3-hour immersion experience, including lifetime access to the recordings).
If you want to know more about fasting and what to do, and what not to do, I'll be Musing on that next week. Send me your fasting questions via email or post in my Facebook page so I can get specific in helping you this season.
If you have the time this coming weekend to give yourself a mini-retreat at home, switch off your phone, and tune into your inner wisdom, simplifying and reducing your meals to make space for meditation and contemplation, it will really support you in making the most of this transition into spring.
I'm here if you want or need to share, and if you want or need to talk, I'm just a Deep Dive Quiz away...
I send you love and wish you deep nourishment on all levels,