In my life I've been blessed to have learned from many amazing teachers, the beautiful human next to me in the photo below is one of them.
Erika Tennenbaum was one of my Yoga Therapy teachers. Today she ran an event called Pratyahara Plunge. Pratyahara is sense mastery or withdrawal of the senses. It's a part of the yoga 8 fold path.
Part of her event included a cold plunge. I've talked shit on ice baths for awhile, I recently realized, by having a conversation with a few students, it was because I was afraid of them. Since my recent breakup and being dropped into the deep end of needing to take very good care of my vessel as I recover from the loss, I began to call in courage.
One day a few weeks ago I was in the midst of my grief, sobbing in the shower. I remembered one of my students/friend saying cold plunges helped her with anxiety. As I was facing, processing and releasing my grief I remembered that. I then decided to experiment and turn off all the hot water.
It was like a switch- I went from my emotional body into my physical body and had to immediately regulate my nervous system. Then I regularly began playing with cold showers. Then this event was announced and I knew I had to do it even though I didn't want to.
I officially faced my fear and got into the ice bath twice! It was scary, intense and amazing.
Sometimes in life we need to face our fears and push through our resistances to break out of our comfort zones and get into a space where all the magic happens. Sometimes it takes a great teacher to open a door, shine a light, offer a hand- and then it's our job to accept the challenge!
Ultimately in our time here we can run from our fears, stick our head in the sand and mindlessly blindly go on- or we can choose to step into our power. Today I faced my fear! I feel powerful, inspired & grateful.
After leaving the event I went to a state park, saw momma and baby dear, a blue heron and on my ride home I saw a rainbow.
All signs are pointing that I'm on the right track. Forever a student and standing more firmly than ever in my gifts as a spiritual teacher and guide.
Stay tuned because in the coming months I'll be officially announcing a new offering and my heart is simply bursting at the seems in excitement about it!
With love & gratitude,
🦋Veronica
All current offerings: www.blissfulbutterflyyoga.com
Comments