Holidays are the time of year to express your love and gratitude to those you love and cherish most. It is also a time of year many people find to be stressful, overwhelming and filled with obligation.
So despite the stress, you want to express your love with the perfect gift(s), make an amazing dish for the party and celebrations religious events that are important to you. You want to be authentic and keep to your budget. Of course, it’s easier said than done. You tend to struggle with fitting in and falling back into family dynamics that may leave you feeling constrained.
So here’s a great tool to stay grounded during the holidays. Yin Yoga.
Yin Yoga, as many of you know, is a restorative, non-aerobic form of yoga where you hold your poses for 3-5 minutes. During the holidays it can be especially helpful for stress release and to help you feel more grounded. And bonus? Happier.
Yin yoga is an exquisite format for self-discovery and awareness, too. It allows feelings and thoughts come up that were drowned out by your busy activity. When you feel and see what is going on for you, you get insights about what is best for you. Your body and mind let you know your truth, which leaves you with a sense of wellness and taps into your innate wisdom.
Better food choices
Most of us are challenged with food choices. Research shows you consistently make better choices when you feel good emotionally and spiritually. You crave less sugar, you make more conscious choices and you eat what your body needs naturally. Not gaining the extra weight or having to go through tough detox after the holidays, makes the extra effort worthwhile
Less Reactivity
Even within the most loving family systems, issues and old patterns arise. When you are grounded and alert you connect with yourself and others In the moment. You have access to your wisdom and have more tenacity to avoid falling into old patterns. You also have the insight and capacity to connect with people in the moment, making conversations richer and more joyful.
Dumping Guilt
During the holidays, being with the ones you love can bring anxiety and guilt. Who do I visit? Who do I not visit? Who do I buy gifts for, who do I not purchase gifts for and how much should I spend? How we’re perceived by others, often takes precedence over feeling good about yourself. These questions require you to have access to your wisdom to make the best decisions possible for yourself and your family.
Strong Foundation
When we’re practicing Yin Yoga, you stay physically stronger, more grounded and connected making it easier to shift into cleaner eating and more rigorous exercise after the holidays pass. Plus you just feel better. It’s liberating.
And for those traveling? Youtube is an excellent resource for yin yoga videos. Here’s a video you might enjoy and find helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y5o5x0WLQ0&t=435s
You can practice from your hotel room or your old bedroom at your parents’ house. You never know, others may even want to join in, causing a deep loving authentic connection with yourself and the people you love. Now that just might be the perfect gift.
Wishing You Happy Holidays.
To Your Exquisite Health.
Good Fat Company Family
