After losing my boyfriend to cancer and mother to (likely) suicide, I tried just about everything to help restore peace - keeping busy, western medicine, talk therapy, etc. etc.
But what has been the most powerful for me have been the simple tools and practices of Yoga. Not the kind of Yoga where you have to be able to touch your toes, quiet your mind, or wear stretchy pants - although that's cool too.
I'm talking about QUICK & EASY therapeutic practices that have been used as medicine in India for 2500+ years. SIMPLE & GENTLE practices with the underlying intention to restore your sense of peace, joy and purpose.
I'll be teaching these in my upcoming FREE workshop Find Peace After Losing A Loved One.
But, don't just take it from me, here's a beautiful interview I did with Jacynte Leger who used Yoga to heal after the sudden loss of her brother...
This stuff works.
With Love,
I want to share with you the story of my broken heart so that you can see the power of the tools and practices that I offer.
After losing my boyfriend to cancer and my mom to (likely) suicide, my heart was broken. The pain was physically palpable - almost unbearable.
I brushed the pain off as "normal," given my circumstances, and thought that time would "cure me" as they said it would.
But instead of time healing me, it did the opposite.
On a routine physical exam, my doctor found that my figurative 'broken heart' had manifested into an actual BROKEN HEART.
After rigorous testing, my cardiologist determined that I had a heart arrhythmia that could only be fixed with beta-blockers in the present and eventually surgery.
But I knew deep down that my broken heart was caused by deep unprocessed grief.
I reluctantly tried the beta-blockers for about a week before I refused them. I was tested and monitored monthly at first and eventually...
The other day a woman in our community reached out to me. She said that after losing her loved one, her number one struggle is "worrying that everyone I love will die or leave me in some way."
I was reminded of an article I wrote several years ago so I thought I'd share it again. It's an important one!
Note: The "someone close to my heart" mentioned in the article is now my husband and baby-daddy - This stuff really works. ;)
Sometimes, when I least expect it, another layer of my grief pops up to the surface to be healed.
I was recently gifted with an opportunity to re-deal with some sticky abandonment issues left over from my mom's death -which was likely a suicide.
Someone really close to my heart left for a few weeks on vacation and my stress level increased to a place I knew (consciously) wasn't appropriate for the present-moment situation.
It was time to practice what I teach.
Here's what I...
This morning one of the women in our community reached out to me. She is in deep grief this holiday season and finding it challenging to keep up with the usual expectations such as attending holiday parties and family gatherings.
She hasn't yet responded to several invitations because she really wants to say no but doesn't know how. She wants to see the people who are inviting her but isn't feeling like a party - she wants to keep things quieter this year to honor where she's at.
We chatted for a while back and forth and in the end we came up with a little script for saying no that felt right for her.
I'm going to share it with you so you have something to go on if this pops up for you.
"I'm so grateful that you invited me to your party. I'm looking forward to being with you in someway this holiday season. But this year, with all that's been going on, I am feeling really overwhelmed and having too many places to go feels like too...
One of the first holidays after losing my boyfriend and mom, I was Christmas shopping at the mall.
There I was, riding down the escalator with my hands full of bags when "Little Drummer Boy" began to play on the loud speaker.
It was one of my mom's favourite Christmas songs and it set me off something fierce.
The tears bubbled up and bursted out of me. And there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.
My arms were laden with bags so wiping my eyes wasn't an option. And, there was nowhere to run (I so wanted to run).
I felt totally exposed and like everyone was looking at me.
I wish I had this tool with me then.
It would have helped me ride the wave with much more grace and ease.
Thats why I made you this short and sweet video where I share a simple tool for calming your nerves anytime (anywhere) without looking silly. In fact, no one will even know you're doing it.
So the next time a wave a grief comes up, you'll have a...
I made a short and sweet little video for you.
Let's face it, the holidays can be hard - especially when you're grieving.
People can be insensitive.
Songs and smells can trigger memories.
It can feel like you're the only one not enjoying yourself.
That's why I'm giving you this super simple tool that you can use anytime (anywhere) to calm your nerves so that you can get through the holidays with more ease.
If you liked this, be sure to check out my free course How to Get Through the Holidays with Grace - Even Though You're Grieving
With so much love,
A made a short and sweet little video for you.
I wanted to give you 7 simple ideas for honoring your loved one this holiday season so that you can presence them in your heart in beautiful and loving way.
And, so that you don't have to go through the holidays feeling like they've been forgotten by everyone but you...
If you liked this, be sure to check out my free course How to Get Through the Holidays with Grace - Even Though You're Grieving
All my love,
The body is a deep well of wisdom. When you allow yourself to listen, she'll guide you towards your most profound healing.
I invite you to get still and scan your body for any discomfort. Do this with a sense of compassionate curiosity (not judgement).
Lovingly note the areas of discomfort and ask yourself the following questions...
What is your body telling you?
A while back, I was talking to a friend about how to let go of the need to control life which is often easier said then done - especially when we are dealing with stress. And perhaps even more so when dealing with the stress of loss.
We want to hang on to our lives as they once were, and at the same time, control what will happen next. This is a stress reaction from our 'reptile brain' - that old-school part of our brain that thinks it is responsible for keeping us safe. Back when we were cavewomen on the constant brink of death for any number of reasons, change often equated to death.
Thankfully, it isn't like that anymore.
But our reptile brain hasn't learned that yet. In our contemporary world, the "fight, flight, or freeze" auto-response leaves us trying to trying to control life.
The problem with this is (as you know) change is the only constant and therefore impossible to control. So as we try to control our life (and fail) we only add more stress. And,...
When you are grieving, sleep is often a big problem.
Today I'm going to share with you the one practice that I do (almost) everyday before bed. Even on days where my posture practice or my meditation practice go out the window, this one sticks because it's SO simple. And, it works.
Right before I go to bed, I take 2 minutes to massage my feet with oil. I usually just use coconut oil (because it's there) but I sometimes add in other essential oils as well.
This simple practice, ends my day with a small pause, a dose of self love, and a deep sense of grounding. It helps bring my energy out of my busy mind, so I can set myself up for a good night's sleep.
I invite you to give it a try. If it feels right, try it for at least 21 days to set it up as a new healthy habit.
Sweet dreams and LOVE,
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