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Spiritual Well-Being

This is in your hands.

When we feel good about ourselves we are better to be around in every way.  Everyday well- being and SPIRITUAL well- being differ in terms of intention.

When we set our intentions and follow through with the betterment of spiritual well-being, we are able to provide greater support, unconditional love and compassion to those around us both in our inner and outer circles.

If we could find a way to be the best version of ourselves for those around us, think about how much we could improve our quality of life as well as the communities we are a part of.

YOU can make a difference.

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Tips and tricks used by:

Yogis, Yoginis, Sages and Mystics throughout the ages.

Move

Yoga

Take a class or simply do a few sun salutations. We all know that post yoga buzz, theres nothing like an asana practice to release those juicy happy endorphins. Balance your physical, mental and emotional bodies. Connect with self and notice how this aids in your awareness.

Dance

Even just a few minutes of dance can lift your spirits. By yourself or with the ones you love, perhaps by the beach with a bunch of strangers; if that feels good for you. Any form of dance will get your blood flowing, lubricate your joints and put a big smile on your face.

 

Mindful Walking

Be mindful as you walk. Be present. Notice your surroundings.

5 tips for grounding and to relief anxiety: To bring you into the present moment

  1. What are 5 things you see?
  2. Notice 4 things you can hear.
  3. Touch 3 things: some examples; sand under your feet, the trunk of a tree, a blade of grass
  4. Think of 2 things you can smell.
  5. What can you taste?

There are so many ways to get outside. Even in the city we can find ways to be outside and even get moving outdoors. Here are a few examples of things you can do outside: Swim in the bay, run around the lake, walk on the beach and cycling. Stay mindful and these simple activities will contribute towards your well-being.

Breathe

Pranayama

Conscious breath work using various techniques have been used for thousands of years! In fact pranayama came a long time before postural yoga.

A Few Techniques

  1. Breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth can be energising.
  2. Breath in through the nose and out the the nose will calm your central nervous system.
  3. Alternate nostril breathing will help to balance the hemispheres in you brain.

Why?

There are many practices and they all have a purpose & place. Regardless of the technique conscious breath work will serve you in every  aspect of your life. Regardless of the purpose pranayama is designed to cleanse. Simple deep breaths in times of need will feel like weight lifted off of your shoulders. Give it a go 🙂

Cleanse

Why?

A clean and tidy environment helps us to clear the mind and allows the mind space to be calm.

Smudging

Lighting incense and allowing the smoke to flow through your space and auric field is a technique that has been used by all throughout the ages.  You may have noticed the smell in the studio of a very distinct scent that Ritu lights daily to honour the day, the Deities & also to clear the space of any negative energy.

Mantra

You may have also heard her chant or play various Sanskrit mantras throughout class or during check in. This too is a cleansing ritual. The frequencies of these mantras are said to aid in concentration as well as focus.  You can find a mantra in every YT newsletter. These mantras are commonly found on Spotify and You tube. Find what serves you and if it doesn’t? Well you can choose what does. Perhaps an affirmation, a prayer or a tune that helps you feel calm and collected. There is no right or wrong practice.

Salt Water

A nice warm bath with epsom salts or a refreshing 3 second plunge in the bay will suffice to clean your auric field. This is a great way to release unwanted energy. A cold plunge assists your physical body to encourage optimal blood circulation, leaving you energised and refreshed. A warm bath assists in lowering the heart rate, therefore relaxing the body allowing it to wind down.

Contemplate

Meditate

Whether you choose to sit in silence or listen to a guided meditation the benefits are abundant.

Why?

When we contemplate via meditation, the calmness we receive in return becomes a joyous reward for our time. Not only can we convert negative thought patterns to positive ones; we can also gain mental clarity as we get to know our mind on a deeper level.

Techniques

  • Breathing –  Focus your attention on your breath, the inhale and exhale.
  • Flame gazing –  If you find it difficult to focus. Light a candle and watch the flame. Your attention will be held. If your thoughts distract you, thank them and go back to watching the candle flame.
  • Guided – There are numerous online guided meditations and music to help you. Simply search “guided meditation” and you’ll find tons of resources.
  • Mindful contemplation– Mindfulness is about observing the present moment, what is coming up as well as passing. Inclusive are thoughts, sounds, feelings in the body and anything else in the moment. Observation without judgment while remaining open and aware.

How to Build a Practise

Ensure you will not be interrupted. Create a comfortable space to sit with your spine upright. Follow your breath with your mind.

5 Tips to assist you into the present moment

  1. Create a safe space free of distraction.
  2. Set time goals. For example: first week ‘ I will sit for 10mins’, second week ‘I will sit for 15mins’ Can be whatever suits you.
  3. Ensure you are comfortable. Warm/cool enough, cushion under your hips if need be.
  4. Choose a technique and mix it up if you need too.
  5. Practise, practise, practise.

 

Nurture

Healthy body = Healthy Mind

We’ve heard it time and time again, yet we feed our desires with food that may not serve us. For those who are unsure of where to begin, in this section we will share our suggestions as a starting point for you to learn to eat what is right for you.

If you have medical conditions/concerns, please seek medical advice before making changes to your diet.

How?

Understand your body, its needs and cravings, a little bit of discipline and a more mindful approach to eating.

Make Conscious Choices

You are what you eat. Remember you can choose what you eat. Your body requires regular fuel and the grade of fuel will determine how you feel. The cleaner your diet, the more energised you will feel.

5 Tips for Healthy Eating

  1. Be mindful of what, when and how much you eat.
  2. Do not neglect sugar cravings but do replace refined sugars with a cleaner choice. Fruit, honey, maple syrup and jaggery are a few substitutes that come to mind.
  3. Ensure you have fibre in your diet. This is non negotiable. Especially if you feel sluggish.
  4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! We are water, we must replenish water throughout our waking day to avoid becoming stagnant.
  5.  Eat fresh, nutritious and seasonal veggies and fruit daily.

 

Create

5 Reasons to Create

  1. Improves brain function, mental health and physical health.
  2. Increases self esteem and confidence.
  3. Alleviates stress and anxiety.
  4. Increases dopamine levels therefore lifting mood. Creativity literally makes us happy.
  5. Allows us to be fully in the ‘flow’ of the moment

There are many ways to nurture the artist within. Whether we perceive ourselves as an artist or an amateur is irrelevant. The benefits will be the same. Cooking, building, ceramics, dancing, singing, story telling, writing and using colour are just a few ways we can nourish our creative mind.

Write

Journaling is a great way to find space to get creative. It helps to release our day to day so we can reach behind the surface level of the mind. This aids in finding our flow. Writing stories is an exercise in expression. Both fiction and non fiction writing helps us process trauma.

Colour

We all know how certain colours make us feel. Colours are strongly related to our energy centre, levels and intuition. Playing with colour is also a therapeutic way to work on our spiritual well-being. Drawing, painting and even a simple colouring in book of mandalas are all joyous activities when practiced with healing intentions.

Connect

Connection

As humans we have an innate need to connect. We are social creatures that require connection as a fundamental need in order to develop. With the constant obstacles we’ve had of late this need can be neglected. We must make space and find ways to connect with others.

Communicate

Understand the moments in which connection may be necessary. Your body will send you signs and signals in the form of triggers for your memory. For example; thinking about an old friend and then seeing them at the shops or a feeling or longing to speak to a relative.

Choose Compassion & Love

If you are triggered to connect and choose to follow your intuition to make contact, do so from a positive place. Not every thought needs to be actioned. Healing happens when we act with positive intentions and we serve our well being when we serve others from a place of genuine love and compassion.

5 Tips for communication

  1. Be mindful of the mode of communication. Connect without expectation of response.
  2. Allow the other/s space to respond; be an attentive listener.
  3. If meeting in person be aware of body language.
  4. Set and hold strong in your boundaries.
  5. Are you stressed, emotional, grumpy? Think before you react.

 

5 Reasons to work on spiritual expansion

1. Build: When we work on ourself, we are able to understand more about our actions and re-actions. In turn being more thoughtful of those around us. With practice we build a compassionate perspective and let go of irrational judgements.

2. Motivate: Self motivation is rewarding. When we fix a goal for a measurable period of time, we are motivated to achieve! Sure spirituality is not measurable nor should it be, however we can fix goals for practices that aid our growth. An example can be as simple as, observing the mind for 10 minutes a day. Simply watch your thoughts. As we become aware of the patterns we can choose what we wish to change.

3. Inspire: When we make a commitment to ‘do the work’ we get inspired by watching the changes in our behaviour. Other’s may also be inspired as they may notice those changes too. Once we begin to gain a little bit of momentum in our journey the longer we practice the more we are inspired and the more inspirational we become.

4. Accept: The greater the expansion, the greater the acceptance towards ourselves and those around us.

5. Change:  We are creatures of routine and habit. We need to train our body and mind to adopt new practices. Also sometimes we forget, with regular practise the body has the opportunity to remember.