Post-election drama continues, but we need a time out right now before we officially head into the holiday season. We are exhausted; our already overloaded nervous systems deserve a respite. All transitions (including autumn) create higher levels of stress. The best way to get through these next few weeks with patience is to ground, take a deep breath and meditate. Fortunately mental health can be curated with these simple practices! Bringing the Hara into alignment is where I always start.
The Hara line* is grounding, and also brings together our physical, energetic and spiritual aspects. It drops us into a state of Being (so refreshing!) which is helpful in many situations, including tricky conversions. I use it to prepare for the other calming antidotes, meditation and breath. Hopefully you regularly incorporate these into your day. In stressful times our self-care routines can go out the window, just when we need them the most.
Practices that regulate the physiology are powerful. The breath especially can do that. It’s autonomic - happening without our thinking about it - but we can also step in and control it. In yogic pranayama, there are dozens of breaths to use in various situations. It’s a direct physical intervention!
Three-part breathing is the most basic practice. Take a few slow breaths into the belly only (don’t forget the back side!) then just your diaphragm, and finally the chest; put it all together for a full, deep breath. Keep the inbreath shorter than the outbreath (that can be varied for different purposes.) Alternate nostril breathing is specifically designed to calm down or activate our system. Both these basic breaths affect the vagus nerve, bringing our system into homeostasis - a stable, internal balanced environment according to modern science (and the wisdom of the yogis!).
First, the Hara* visualization helps to “reset” and be more present. I use the alternate-nostril breathing to prepare for formal meditation, and the three-part breath often, especially while lying in bed to begin and end the day. We become more mindful and effective when we synchronize our breathing to any movement. Breathing creates movement itself - giving the abdominal organs a little massage. Practicing these things in calmer times helps cultivate it as a reliable resource when needed.
Homeopathy, vitamins, herbs and other supplements all have a role to play (for more, see last week’s blog.) Make it a priority to start integrating some of these energetic tools for the inevitable transitions in your lifetime.
I realize these are simple, baseline practices… but you’re never too “advanced” for them. Like old friends they’ll comfort you and bring you back to - life. Take your mind off of current worries and have faith.
Peace, love and healing -
Bear
*Click here to download my Being and Doing booklet for the Hara exercise and more!
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