Finding self-compassion in a season of giving

                                                                                Give to YOU this holiday season! 

Self- compassion is composed of 3 main elements; self kindness, understanding humanity, and mindfulness. The first component sounds simple but most people struggle to find it. Self kindness comes first with being gentle with yourself, mind and body. Understanding humanity is realizing and accepting that humans are imperfect and that we all make mistakes. Mindfulness can be explained from one of Buddha’s more famous quotes, “Life is suffering”. This quote can be interpreted by understanding that life is suffering and if its done it should be done with clarity and awareness.

We often confuse self compassion with self pity, self indulgence, and making excuses for our behaviors. Self compassion creates a sense of resiliency and the ability to more easily show compassion and forgiveness to others. Don’t think of self-compassion as self- esteem. Self- esteem usually deals with comparing yourself to another person or favoring yourself over someone else. Where as self- compassion is simply accepting that others suffer, others make mistakes and that we do to. Having self-compassion allows our empathetic selves to come through and conquer over our sympathy for situations. When you hold self-compassion you hold the ability to better relate to others in time of heart-ache and are more able to “be in their shoes”.

When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or self-neglected this holiday season take a moment to tell yourself “so it is”. Compassion for others and a sense of giving is so intertwined into our spirits this time of the year. Although, surrounded by family and friends, we cannot rely on other to give us what we can only give ourselves, self-compassion.

It is time for you to find the compassion that sits deep inside of you. Light it up and let it illuminate through yourself and radiate to the people that are around you.

Put these into practice by joining any of our classes!! Your first class is ALWAYS on us!

                       WEEKLY MEDITATION

                                                                  This weeks meditation is brought to you by: Winter Solstice  

Use this guided meditation to prepare for the winter solstice on December 21st. Winter solstice is a perfect time to reflect on the past year and get ready to set 2017 intentions. Winter solstice is the longest night of the year and the shortest day – truly use this time to find your inner light and let it prevail all throughout the winter season.    

Listen to this 7 minute meditation HERE 

 Share your meditation experiences with us at s.swails@omahaic.com and be entered to win a prize!

POSE OF THE MONTH

                                                      Goddess Pose

Goddess pose is a pose for the warrior, to make it through the holidays in a mindful and compassionate way. This pose opens the heart, clears the hips and strengthens the low back.
To get into this pose:

• Begin in mountain pose
• Heel- toe the feet wide and slowly begin to drop the pelvis to the floor
• Ensure the knees are over the ankles
• Bring the arms out to either side like a “T”, palms facing up, pointer finger and thumb tips together
• Pull the shoulders back and together opening the heart
• Hold for 5-10 breaths

Modifications can include: not bending the knees into a full 90 degree angle or for more “fire” come up onto the toes to strength the calves.
Send us your goddess poses on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with the #OICposes for a chance to win!