Oh, how these merry days make our hearts forgetful of their tenderness.

 

One of the toughest lessons we learn again (& again, & again…) is how necessary self-care is, especially throughout the holiday season.

 

With full calendars & high expectations (not to mention all the sparkling shing-digs we’re running around town for), we often sacrifice the practices we know keep us grounded & open.

 

Can you take a peek at your schedule (right now, in this moment, while we’re here together) & find a five, ten or fifteen minute stretch of time each day that you can dedicate to servicing your own heart?

 

Now that we have the time set aside, whether you’re caught up the joy of the season, or you find yourself swayed by a touch of melancholy only the holidays can bring (or, quite possibly, a mix of all-the-things), here are three ways to care for that brave heart of yours, in every given moment.

 

1. Clearing Space

 

The few minutes you have to yourself are sacred & should be honored as such.

 

One of the things I do that helps bring me back to my centre is smudge my home with sage—it doesn’t take long & has a way of immediately reconnecting my thinking-heart to my feeling-heart.

 

Whether you’ve got the holiday jitters, have carried something in the from the outside world that just won’t let go, or want to create a ritual to prepare for your other practices (maybe even for the ones below!), clearing the space with some smudge is a good way to begin.

 

Not sure where to start? This might help.

 

2. Do the Heart Dance

 

After you’ve set space & intention, it’s time to move.

 

While this might mean coming to yoga or turning up your favourite song-of-the-moment & dancing around the house in your underwear until you can’t dance anymore I have something (almost) as equally joy-full & most definitely adventurous.

 

It’s called The Heart Dance—it was created by Gil Hedley, an inspiring somanaut & anatomist—& it’s movement-based interpretation of how blood flows through the heart.

 

This five minute video will get your heart thumping & pumping as well as give you a kinesthetic sense of how your magical heart works.

 

Ready?

Here you go!

 

3. Get Still

 

You’ve smudged, you’ve moved & now, it’s time to for stillness.

 

Part of holding the magic at this time of year is learning how to surrender into it—& so, create a shape that feels just right for where your body is in this moment.

 

Take a few breaths until you feel yourself land.

 

Okay?

 

Now, press play, ’cause I’ve recorded a little something for your cheering heart:

 

With love & heart roars.

 

Bryonie

 

Join Bryonie for All levels Flow Yoga on Thursdays at 3:30pm

Bryonie Wise