From Groundhog Day to Gratitude: Navigating Grief with Yoga and Acceptance
How long does it take to heal? This question echoed constantly in my mind, wondering when the gut-wrenching pain would subside, and when I could muster the energy to face each day. The acceptance stage of the grieving process seemed elusive, and it felt like I was a hamster on a never-ending wheel, reliving the same, groundhog-day-like struggles.
I must admit, when COVID-19 hit, I strangely found a breath of fresh air in the midst of the chaos. The lockdown allowed me to be home, embracing the opportunity to move at my own pace, to do only what my energy and body permitted. The shared experience of staying in became socially acceptable, and for my grieving soul, it became a welcomed respite.
During this time, I discovered 'Yoga with Adriene.' Initially, all I could manage was a 10-minute session, holding back tears. Adriene's soothing voice encouraging phrases like 'I'm strong' and 'thank you for your body' became my whispered mantras. Those 10 minutes gradually started to illuminate the dark tunnel of my life. Weeks turned into months, and I found myself doing longer sessions—15, 20, even 30 minutes. It became a sacred time for me, just me, my body, and my breath. The tears lessened, and I began to feel a newfound strength and gratitude for my body.
Healing, I've come to realize, is a multifaceted journey. It requires time, patience, and self-awareness. As the saying goes in Alcoholics Anonymous, 'one day at a time.' It's about healing not just the broken heart but the entire body, layer by layer. Today, I strive to help as many people as I can on their holistic healing journeys. For those interested, you can find Adriene's transformative yoga sessions at Yoga with Adriene and remember, 'one day at a time’
(https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene?themeRefresh=1)
