I am on a healing journey, and I think many of us are in one way or another.
I have heard it said that it is useful to think of one’s self as a tree. Grounded by roots, with a firm centre/core and flexible branches that can bend with the wind.
In the last year, as part of my healing journey, I have taken up yoga, which I believe helps us to become more tree-like.
Yoga is not for everyone, and rest assured I am not the most flexible person, but I have already noticed a slight improvement. I have also noticed that as easy as yoga may ‘appear’ to the casual observer that it is also provides a really good work out with lots of health benefits, both mental and physical.
I have not become a yoga expert quite yet, but fortunately I have a great teacher to help me master my downward dog posture.
I have found that yoga is a great way to relax, de-stress and unwind in create some peace of mind. I feel fortunate to have found an additional activity that helps me deal with my PTSD, like throwing on the pottery wheel does. You can read more about that in my blog post ‘How Pottery Helped my PTSD.
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Self-care and inner peace activities I participate in are talking with my husband, running, kayaking, Reiki, massage, long soaks in a deep bathtub, meditation and mindfulness, and blogging! I also have PTSD. When I’m triggered it can sometimes be challenging to get out of it. I would have to say kayaking is probably my most favorite go-to, any time on/in/or near water calms me combined with the meditation/mindfulness techniques I’m learning using the Calm app. That said – if I didn’t run – I’d probably be a total basket case. Running burns off worry and helps to transform my thinking into a rational perspective.
I am glad to hear you have found things that are working well for you and your ptsd! I have heard the calm app is pretty good! I have used headspace but I believe calm is quite different – have you used headspace as well? Running can be great for the soul, the hardest part is the knees! The water is absolutely a wonderful and healing place. 🙏 Thank you for sharing all this Stephanie!
Thank you for your wonderfully, supportive words! I’ve tried Headspace on Netflix. I did not like the sound of the narrator’s voice leading the meditation. Calm has a variety of options to help you relax, sleep and nap. I listen to Tamara Levitt’s Daily Calm – a 10 minute guided mediation with a theme such as gratitude, loving kindness, failure, impermanence, etc. Her sessions are incredibley compassionate – like mini-therapy sessions. The other I listen to on Calm is Jeff Warren’s Daily Trip. I am a huge fan of his style/ way of mediation – he normalizes being human and promotes his most favorite, life changing habit from meditation – practicing equanimity – the skill of opening to experience – no matter what is going on – and stay open to it – allowing space for our nervous system to calm. How the act of being present is good for us!
Lovely! I will be sure to check this out thank you!
I practice yoga as well. It has helped me relax, stay centered, improve my flexibility, tighten my core, and heal after my mild heart attack four years ago. I also write, hike, swim and sing to keep my life in balance.
wonderful! what a great mix of things. singing and dancing are big around here as well 🙂 especially songs about the cat!
Angel is cute!
Thanks ill pass that on to her! Shes a great dog 🙂
I like walking outside on a country road. The trees and hay fields smell SO good. It’s aromatherapy. Angel is beautiful!
Thank you! Yes, I feel the same way about being in the forest. There are certain areas that smell so full of life. Country roads can definitely be like that as well. (also ill let the doggy know!)
To answer your question, meditating helps to ground me. And I journal every day and walk in a nearby park quite often. I like your idea of becoming like a tree. I can see that – the groundedness, the patience and the reaching up toward the future. It’s a good mindset. Thanks.
No problem! I am learning a lot from trees, have been looking at this book recently and think I may purchase! https://suzannesimard.com/finding-the-mother-tree-book/ it looks to be pretty incredible!
I cant do Yoga, I prefer dance, Zumba, aerobics rather.. They are easy and engaging. Once gets double benefits, listening to songs and exercises. And I wish to learn new forms of dancing such as balley too ! Dance engages one in completely when done with full involvement ! BTW — why just Bhudha in your art work ! There are so many other worship things you can try out too— May be Goddess of Knowledge- Sarasvati ! 🙂
Like this vase here 🙂 https://rakupottery.ca/saraswati/
Lots more with their stories over at http://rakupottery.ca/raku-vases as well 🙂
yes….exactly, rest you can do a google search with string “oldest idol of ______” Lot of sculptures shall come !
That means you must br having—one for —-Apollo. Olympian god of music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light and knowledge.
Yep! It has already sold https://rakupottery.ca/apollossong/
great!
Awesome. You must be having great art piece for — Apollo. Olympian of music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light and knowledge.
Awesome. You must be having great art piece for — Apollo. Olympian of music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light and knowledge.
Always good to explore ways to improve – good luck on your journey! (of course, trees don’t seem to move around much 😉
I am learning more and more about trees and it sounds like their lives are much more complex and beautiful than at least I had understood. looking at getting this book to learn more https://suzannesimard.com/finding-the-mother-tree-book/
My Zen moments are more likely to occur late at night when it is quiet. During this time, I enjoy painting with watercolor. Most of the time – relaxing (unless I have to start the painting over).
As a fellow painter (oil and acrulic), I understand this very well. Watercolor is so beautiful to play with with all its soft edges. Such a different experience!
That’s a beautiful dog! To relax, I listen to old rock and roll music and dance to it, as well. Dancing is good exercise. I also, sit outside on our balcony and just enjoy nature.
That sounds lovely Eugenia! what song is one of your favourites to dance to? 🙂
“Born to be Alive” by Patrick Hernandez. https://youtu.be/JX5uY79gfSk?t=9
Ooh nice! What a great one to choose!
Thanks!
“A man is born gentle and weak; at his death he is hard and stiff. All things, including the grass and trees, are soft and pliable in life; dry and brittle in death. … A tree that cannot bend will crack in the wind. The hard and stiff will be broken; the soft and supple will prevail.”
Lao-Tzu
A beautiful quote and a wonderful reminder. Thank you 🙏 I hope you are keeping well!
I agree that yoga is a great workout for both the body and mind. I also recently started learning about Qigong (through DVD’s and books from my local library). There’s one exercise where you’re supposed to imagine collecting your stagnant chi in your fists and then you throw it away. It’s great for dealing with stress (and it’s fun)!
ooh that does sound fun! I will have to look that up! do you know the name of the dvd or books that you are using? any you might recommend?
I’m on a limited budget, so I searched the catalog at my local library. My favorite so far is a DVD titled “Qiqong: Beginning Practice.” It’s a 2 DVd set. The 1st disc walks you through the Qiqong basics while the 2nd disc has a documentary about it’s history. My favorite part is that it’s a husband and wife team– Francesco Garripoli and Daisy Lee-Garripoli. 🙂
thank you! I will look them up!
Its cool
Yoga is definitely a discipline that requires focus and work! I haven’t done any yoga for years now, but I remember how it forced me to notice all the little details about how my mind and body affected each other. And how often I fell down. 😅
Simply Beautiful
Kripalu Meditative Yoga is the one I do. What kind is yours?
Yoga is great for body and mind! I did yoga for 7 years before I got derailed by injury. I need to get back into it. I’ve been doing meditation, though, and that also works wonder.