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The WLE Weekly | 11.11.2023
Becoming Aware of the Witness
That Magical ‘Light Switch Flick’ Moment
Meditation is the opportunity to give yourself some space. To take a pause, and check back in. In our day-to-day life, we can get caught up in the narrative of the day. The to-do list and reactions to our surroundings can throw us off our genuine selves a little bit.
When we tune in and meditate, we are finding that quiet inner voice that has been drowned out all day. We are remembering that we are not the endless spiral of thoughts and ever-changing emotions. We are bigger than that. We can take a step back when we meditate and locate the voice of our genuine self.
The first time I was introduced to the idea, that who I am is not my thoughts – it brought me great relief. As someone with anxiety and depression, the idea that my thoughts reflected who I was… frankly scared the heck out of me. I think everyone has their weight to bear; there is always a wound here or there. AND I think the grace to love and heal those wounds is ALSO within all of us.
Perhaps we need to befriend the mind and body we inhabit, so we can work with it – instead of against it.
This is the conclusion that I came to anyway. After much meditation 😉
So, I encourage you to move with love. Meditation is the most accessible, free tool you could find. If you’re unsure where to start, try guided meditations! I have a library of FREE guided meditations available on YouTube & Spotify.
If you’re wanting more, reach out and book a one-to-one virtual session with me. I’m available for a virtual session anywhere, via Zoom. I also lead in-person guided meditations for Winnipeg-based group sessions only.
I can be reached at withloveesta@gmail.com with any questions or book a request on my website here.
New meditations go out every Monday, and more like the below will be sprinkled in. I love to share my joy of meditation with you, and I hope that shines through.
Wishing you an amazing Friday and weekend ahead.
With Love,
Esta
The Welcome Home Meditation
Meditating really can be this easy…
The WLE Weekly | 11.04.2023
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Find the Calm in the Storm
Applying Yoga & Meditation Skills in Real Life
There’s a reason people say to “take a deep breath” when someone is feeling overwhelmed, or highly emotional. The body responds to this deep breath with relaxation – a cue that now the body is safe and can take the time it needs.
As a person with anxiety, I often find myself shallowly breathing (where I am not breathing deeply and naturally into my belly). My meditation practise has helped me both become aware of the moments I am not nourishing myself with a full breath – and taught me how to attain that deep kind of breath.
Most of the meditations I produce begin with a deep breath in through the nose and an audible sigh of an exhale. The goal in my guided meditations for you, is to help you build that muscle awareness, deepen your breath, and slow the pace of it.
Building a slow and deep breath is an essential base for a good yoga practice. It also brings your attention into the body.
Yoga poses have us explore the grounding and the grace of a pose all at once. To physically embody the duality of flexibility and strength.
Yoga is a visual and physical meter of you get what you put in, too. One can swing themselves around and through yoga poses, mindless of the ways they twist and pull the body (therefore not “getting much” out of their practise) … Or one can find a steady, strong, and fluid movement through their yoga flow – engaging muscles and building awareness of the body – being fully present. (which is always my aim in practicing or teaching yoga!)
Here are some real-life examples of skills applied from a meditation / yoga practise:
- Taking a few deep breaths in congested traffic (breath & emotional awareness)
- Waking up and counting 3 things we are grateful for (gratitude practise)
- Trying a grounding practice of standing on natural ground in the daylight (mind & body awareness)
- Saying grace before a meal (gratitude practise)
- Tuning into the body while lifting weights, running, or otherwise working out (body awareness)
What do you think – are there other moments where yoga / meditation skills can help you out?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Wishing you a weekend of moments to flex your own meditation / yoga skills – both on and off the mat!
With Love,
Esta
The I Meditation
The WLE Weekly | 10.28.2023
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The WLE Weekly | 10.21.2023
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Yoga 101 | Yoga Off the Mat
How to insert pockets of that “yoga calm” into your day.
Yoga is the perfect way to practice being present. To avoid injury in yoga, we are constantly checking in with the body and tuning our self awareness.
Layering on deep breathing, and then taking the yoga instructors cues into mind – we have very little opportunity to ponder on our latest grocery list in a yoga class!
Why is this practice of being present so important?
We can work from a place of calm responsiveness when we are in the present moment.
When anxiety over the future clouds our current moment, we are more hurried and reactive than if we were enjoying the moment before us.
Have you noticed that activities that demand your attention, like a puzzle or paint by number, or colouring – have a way of bringing its own kind of peace? You’re so in the moment that time even, will fly by unnoticed.
When I first struggled with panic attacks, I reached out to the present moment like a life preserver.
I would soothe my alarm ringing mind by turning my face to the sun, counting the birds, immersing myself in the present moment so deeply that the worries had something else to grab on to.
The energy of worry was redirected to soaking in the present moment.
The ability to come to the yoga mat, and drop the day at the door, and be all in for a yoga flow is sharpening your skill of being present. Which is an invaluable skill in the workplace, your family, in your relationship and your relationship with yourself.
So take that yoga calm off the mat with you, and practice tuning into the present moment whenever you can!
Wishing you a weekend of blissful, present moment calm.
With Love,
Esta
The WLE Weekly | 10.14.2023
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with love , Esta 