Light A Candle.
It was 2 weeks ago that we chose to close our doors at IBY to help flatten the COVID-19 curve in CLE.
It feels like it has been 2 months.
I miss everything about the studios. Our team, our students, the smell, the practices, the music, the loving hands on assists, the messages from our teachers that stretch my heart open on the hardest days. I miss you. But I am grateful now more than ever for my yoga practice, for this community and our team. From the depths of my heart where love resides full-time, thank you. For your support, kind words and donations. 💜
In gratitude, I share the below practice from teacher Abbey Spiro. It’s beautiful.
These past few weeks I have found that bringing attention and intention to the mundane has been grounding in a much needed way. Bringing intention into simple acts like washing the dishes or changing the sheets on the beds completely changes them from something we "must" do into something worthy of awe and respect. Yes, even taking out the trash can be an act of love! One of my favorite mini-rituals has been to light a candle for someone. It is a simple way to extend love and energy in this time of social distancing, which often includes staying away from the ones we love the most. Remember, these guidelines are simply suggestions. There is no wrong way to do this exercise and you can add in whatever makes this 5-10 minutes feel more special to you.
Gather the items you need: a candle, a match or lighter, and anything to make your experience more meaningful - perhaps a picture of you together or an item that reminds you of the person you are lifting up, or something beautiful like flowers.
Take a comfortable seat - either in a chair or on the ground. place the candle and any other items you've gathered in front of you.
Close your eyes, and take a deep breath in. Open your mouth and press the air out. Envision this person in your mind's eye. Hold this vision of them until it is really clear. Then open your eyes and intentionally light your candle. I like to say "with love I light this candle for you", but you can say whatever feels right and intentional for you.
4. Set your candle down and close your eyes, notice the way you can see the candle flickering even with your eyes closed. Bring back the vision of your person into your minds' eye. This time you spend seated in front of your candle, send love, health, light, to this person in whatever way feels right for you. Perhaps that is a prayer or a mantra, or evnisioning the person surrounded by healing white light. I often repeat the loving kindness meditation. "May you be safe. May you be peaceful. May you be happy. May you live with ease". Sit for the length of time that feels right for you.
Gently, open your eyes. Notice how you feel. If you'd like, you can let the candle continue to burn - throughout the day as the flickering light catches your eye you can send another little wave of love to your person. If not, pick up your candle and blow it out, watch the smoke as it lingers, and then floats away. Close your practice in any way that feels good - perhaps joining your palms together and bowing in gratitude.