Celebrating Equilibrium with Yin Yoga

Canada recently celebrated Thanksgiving, marking the official end of summer. As fall arrives, nature transitions, with the sun taking a step back and the leaves gently lulling themselves to sleep, heralding the imminent arrival of winter.

To celebrate the transition from summer to fall, I chose to do a yin practice in my yoga class. Yin yoga is a slow-paced style in which you hold positions for many breaths. Yin yoga asks us to slow down and bring equilibrium to our posture so that it doesn't feel too intense or too gentle. Nature teaches us that equilibrium between movement and rest is essential.

Let us celebrate and honour rest in a world where busyness is overvalued. Through the fall season, rest and bring awareness to the present moment. Let go of the past and leave the future for another time. This season is a time to let go and prepare for the imminent arrival of winter.

Preparing for the School Year Ahead by Practicing Gratitude

“No amount of regret can change the past. No amount of anxiety can change the future. Any amount of gratitude will change the present.”

Hello, my dear friends and followers. I trust that August has treated you well and that you have enjoyed creating precious moments with loved ones. A close friend of mine, with whom I spent time this summer, has returned to work, gearing up for the upcoming school year. This season reminds me of the countless years I spent preparing for the year ahead as an educator and a parent.

When anticipating the upcoming school year, there are moments of anxiety regarding how it will impact us, whether as educators, staff, parents or students. Concerns often revolve around future occurrences that have yet to happen, consuming valuable time and leading to unwarranted stress.

My anxiety stems from various sources, particularly the fear of cancer recurrence. I rely on practicing gratitude to help me stay calm during the anxious wait for test results. I understand there is no way to speed up time or accurately foresee the outcome. I can also think better from a calm state, supporting decisions to maintain good mental and physical health.

Rather than focusing inward, gratitude involves directing our attention toward external sources of joy, such as people, places, and things. Living in the present moment and cultivating gratitude can alleviate anxiety that often arises from expectations. Unlike anxiety, gratitude does not demand anything from us; it simply requires us to appreciate what we have in our lives. We can interrupt anxiety and our expectations through gratitude and experience a sense of calm.

If you are a teacher, school staff or a parent with children heading to school, you can start this habit today. Take some time during your day to reflect on three things you are thankful for and jot them down. Concentrate on the present moment and acknowledge how lucky you are to have these individuals, places, or things in your life. This will help break the cycle of worrying about the future.

Practice this alone or come together as a family to express gratitude for your blessings. Showing appreciation for the people, places, or things in your life can assist you in overcoming any obstacles the upcoming school year might present.

I will begin by saying I am thankful for my girlfriend, who uplifts my day, for the beautiful space in nature I call home, and for nutritious food that supports my good health. What are you grateful for?

Grateful to Celebrate Summer 2024 as a Meta-Thriver.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style." Maya Angelou

At this point last year, I was wavering between the hope of not having a recurrence of breast cancer and the fear of having it again! After receiving the diagnosis, my oncologist developed a medical plan to keep me alive. I conducted thorough research, implemented lasting changes, and remained firmly committed to the conviction that I would survive and thrive.

This summer, I am grateful for my health. I have no signs of cancer and feel strong. I am attending loved ones' weddings, teaching yoga by the lake, and embracing the summer vibes on the East Coast. I truly cherish every moment spent with my family and friends. I do not underestimate the value and gift of these shared experiences.

I celebrated my 60th birthday in December. I feel fortunate to be retired while working part-time contracts that enable me to pursue my passions and work with great people. As requested by some of my Fall contracts, I have updated my biography and photo.

In celebration of my achievements this year, I returned to Studio Umlah. Bernadine Umlah is a woman who possesses numerous talents, provides a spa-like experience, and captures your essence through photography. I expressed my desire for photos to capture the spirit of my journey of overcoming obstacles and living life over cancer with confidence and fortitude.

My achievements up to this point are closely connected to my parents, who instilled in me faith and resilience; my life partner, who walks with me each day; my supportive family and friends, who cheer me on; and my healthcare professionals, including those dedicated to advancing cancer treatments and lifestyle choices through research.

This is my 150th Blog post! I am grateful to all of you for following me on this journey, standing with me as we tackle the obstacles that come our way, and helping us survive and thrive to live our best lives.

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