Sometimes, in the midst of chaos, you find the strength to face your fears.
I have wanted to share yoga and mindfulness skills publicly for some time, but I chose not to make it a priority. Why? It was out of my comfort zone.
Although I had the passion to share skills with others, I was avoiding the work because I knew it could create feelings of vulnerability. I know that vulnerability provides the opportunity for growth and connection, but the idea of putting myself out there for judgment and the feelings of anxiety that followed were what I chose to focus on instead.
But as I have spent the last few weeks sheltering in place and confronting anxiety related to COVID-19 and its impact on society, my mindfulness practice has become more important than ever. And mindfulness has taught me that there is a different way of knowing.
- A way of knowing through what we can observe and describe, through the senses, through the breath and through staying in the moment.
- A way of knowing that has us identify and observe thoughts as thoughts and emotions as emotions, not necessarily as facts.
- A way of knowing that allows us to “be” instead of “do,” which then allows us to act or respond with intention when we are ready.
When I “checked the facts” , I recognized that my thoughts and fears related to publicly sharing skills were not based on facts, but were based on my own assumptions of what feelings may surface if I posted a video.
I finally “observed and described” these thoughts and emotions as just that, and I was able to find a place of calm from which to move. I intentionally decided I would prioritize sharing my knowledge of yoga and mindfulness. Thus, Knowing Yoga – a series of yoga and mindfulness videos – was born. These videos are designed for all skill levels of yoga – from beginners to advanced.
I will be sharing mindfulness skills, guided meditation, and yoga on Knowing Yoga in the hopes of providing you a platform to find moments of quiet and stillness and to possibly find a connection with something bigger than yourself, even among the chaos. My wish is for each of you to find your own sense of calm through these practices.
For more information, subscribe to Knowing Yoga on our YouTube channel and receive alerts when new videos are posted.
I look forward to meeting you on the mat soon,
Andrea Cunningham, M.S., LPC-S, CYT