Mother Nature, in her infinite wisdom, directed her animals to slow down as winter sets in, to conserve energy, rest.
But we humans, with our desires to decorate, dine, drink and shop ’til we drop, override our true nature and demand more of ourselves at this busy time of year.
brings a wonderful softness to back,
belly, legs and feet. Sit with your
right shoulder, arm and hip next to
a wall. Bring your right hand to the
floor next to you, bending your
right elbow, as you bring your back
to the floor and swing your legs
around and up the wall. Legs are
hip-distance apart, resting on your
heels, knees soft. Hands are away
from your body, palms up, as your
chin tucks down to the chest, as
you close your eyes. A thin pillow
may be placed under your head
for comfort. Stay for five to eight
minutes, or longer. Finish the poseb
y bending your knees in to your
chest, rolling into fetal position
on the side that promises most
comfort, and resting for a moment
to return to balance. Slowly bringy
ourself back up into a comfortable
seated position.
Often the result is depletion of our natural immunities and an increase that has us more easily identifying with Bah-Humbug Scrooge than with peace and inner stillness.
How to turn Jingled Bells into All is Calm? The ancient science of yoga — traditional yoga, honoring body, mind and breath — is a great way to help you deal with the challenges of the season. South suburban yoga instructor and yoga therapist Cecily Hunt explains how.
What is it about the holidays that produces stress?
Expectations, of others and of yourself, often create unhappiness, more so during the holidays than the rest of the year. Memories and comparisons stir us up. Yoga teaches us how to be in the present and how to accept what is, to find gratitude for all we have and all we can do rather than desiring more. Yoga imparts acceptance.
breath is a simple way to provide
profound relaxation for body, mind
and breath. Find a comfortable
seated position (sitting in a chair
is fine), with a straight spine.
Shoulders go up, back, and down.
Close eyes, tuning in to your
natural breathing, then bring
your right hand up to your face,
resting your right thumb on your
right nostril, fourth and fifth fingers
on left nostril, and middle fingers
on your forehead. Close your
right nostril, breathe in through
the left. Close the left nostril
and breathe out through the
right. Breathe in through the
right, close, then breathe out
through the left. Continue for
three to four minutes, keeping
the pace slow and smooth.
After you have completed the
cycle, breathing out through
the left, allow your hand to
return to your lap, allow your
breath to return to normal,
and sit quietly until you are
ready to open your eyes.
What is the first step in helping yourself during this time?
Developing awareness — of your body, your thoughts, your breath — is key to recognizing when you’ve had enough: when standing in line to buy one more thing or sitting in one more jammed parking lot or having one more rum-laced eggnog is about to tip you over. In yoga, you learn to work to your edge but to respect that limit, whether it relates to your body or your energy, or how many side dishes you will offer.
What can one actually do to help deal with that stress?
Once you have developed awareness of your reactions, you can move your body and breathe in ways that slow down your nervous system, lowering blood pressure and heart rate, helping you to become calm and grounded.
What does yoga offer that is particularly helpful?
Restorative poses for the body and calming breathwork help you to nurture yourself with moments of stillness, rest and renewal. Legs-up-the-wall (or chair) is particularly refreshing to legs and feet tired from shopping and partying. Alternate nostril breathing really helps to restore balance and peacefulness.
If yoga is new to me, might trying it now add to my stress?
Only if you’ve signed up for a class or style that is inappropriate for you. Talk to the teacher, making it clear that you want a restorative, gentle or intro-level class. Trust your gut; if the class is moving too fast, too hot, too forceful, you need to keep looking.
Can you explain why ‘yoga is the gift you give yourself?’
No one else can do your yoga for you; this is an exploration of how you feel, how you react, how you connect with the universe within and outside of you. And it is a gift, learning how to be strong, flexible and well-balanced as you practice and as you live your life; yoga — done anywhere, at any time, at no cost — brings the gift of inner peace.
Cecily Hunt teaches at the Cancer Support Center in Homewood, the Spirituality Center at Flossmoor Community Church and area nature centers. She will be leading a yoga celebration of the winter solstice appropriate for all levels at Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center on Friday, Dec. 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. More information is available at [email protected] or 708-227-0972.
This story first appeared in the Chronicle print edition Dec. 1
