Mindful Yoga

Just be there for someone today.

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Try to perform a conscious act of kindness every day.

We are human beings. Not human doings. Pause and allow it all to be present.

My favourite teacher leading a wonderful practice to start the year. You can join on line.

Commençons la nouvelle année avec une bonne énergie. Donna a conçu cet intensif de 3 heures pour vous permettre de véritablement « redémarrer » votre corps et votre esprit. Rejoignez-nous le 10 janvier 2026.
https://www.unitedyogamontreal.com/detox-and-reboot-with-donna-read/?lang=fr-ca

It’s a new year. Welcome new beginnings.

We can always begin again. Nothing is lost; nothing is ruined.

The spirit of the holidays. Soften. Breathe.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSJSiSJjINF/?igsh=NmJneWxvYjcyZWJ5

Basic lesson in processing emotion. In meditation terms the language is fancier but the message is the same. Feel the physical sensation. Identify its physical characteristics. Get out of your head and words and I to your body. Move. Or be still. Let it move through. The thinking part can come later. Or not at all.

Everyone says “feel your feelings”, but no one actually teaches you how. Hope this helps!❤️ Disclaimer. Nervous systems don’t always fall into two neat categories. You can be activated. You can be shut down. You can also be both at the same time. Wired but frozen. Agitated but numb. Which can feel confusing. Also, what your body wants in the moment isn’t always what it needs. Sometimes the urge is a coping move that gives quick relief but keeps the state stuck. Doom scrolling. Overthinking. Collapsing into bed. Forcing yourself to power through. Those can feel like “what my body is asking,” but they don’t usually bring you back online. So use this video as a starting point. Match your state, then adjust the dose. If movement spikes you, slow it down. Make it smaller. Add pressure and contact with the ground. If stillness makes you fade out or feel further away, add gentle mobilization. Toe wiggles. Hand squeezing. A slow walk. One notch. Do what works for you! Sources- 1) Acute movement for activation (state anxiety) Ensari I, Greenlee TA, Motl RW, Petruzzello SJ. (2015). Meta-analysis of acute exercise effects on state anxiety. Depression and Anxiety. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25899389/ 2) Slow breathing to downshift arousal (HRV / parasympathetic markers) Laborde S, et al. (2022). Effects of voluntary slow breathing on heart rate & heart rate variability: systematic review + meta-analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35623448/ 3) Grounding/stabilization skills for complex trauma + dissociation (RCT) Brand BL, et al. (2025). A randomized controlled trial… in Finding Solid Ground. Psychological Trauma. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40014495/ 4) Hyperarousal vs hypoarousal framework (“Window of Tolerance” handout) Johns Hopkins Counseling Center (PDF). Window of Tolerance (Moving Towards) Info Sheet. https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/counselingcenter/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2022/09/Window-of-Tolerance-Moving-Towards-Info-Sheet-Emotional-Adulting.pdf

Today is the day…

Today is a beautiful day to:

Even five minutes a day is beneficial. Just stay. On the cushion, in a lounge chair, with your morning coffee or tea. Just stay. Breathe in and out. 🐶

This is a deep insight into equanimity and acceptance of what is from the always wise Pema Chodron. In the practice of there is a part where blue-black light emanates to perfect wisdom, purifying anger and establishing mirror-like wisdom. This samurai figured that out.

Comfortable with Uncertainty • Book - The Pema Chodron Foundation 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion Paperback book ISBN 1590300785 240 pages