Breaking Through Procrastination

Was it just me or was yesterday an unbelievably productive day? I spent 7 hours cleaning the inside and outside of my apartment and once I'd got over the initial resistance in my mind, I loved every minute of it and couldn't stop! Isn't it strange how we resist doing things which we know deep down will be rewarding? That voice in our head is so adept at convincing us that doing something else, ANYTHING else is going to feel so much better. But when we listen to that voice (our ego) we create the perpetual cycle of procrastination-guilt-anxiety-stress etc because the thing we know we need to do, still hasn't been done. And when we hold such thoughts in the back of our heads, they affect every other aspect of our lives because we can never really relax and enjoy the moment. So why don't we just do the thing and avoid the pain? Good question, which Eckhart Tolle could so brilliantly answer, but for now I can tell you from my own experience, there is a way through it... As you know, I've recently finished recording my first full length Guided Meditation. Do you now how many years ago I bought the equipment and procrastinated? FIVE Yes, it's shameful, but everything kept getting in the way; finding somewhere to live (back then) admin, class plans, advertising, studying, cooking, cleaning, I was too tired, unwell, too many other projects on the go, wasn't in the right frame of mind, didn't know how to use the software & equipment, socialising, family duties, Facebook, Instragram etc etc. There's no end to the excuses but only YOU can decide when enough's enough and when you do, BOY IS IT AWESOME!! I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed recording this mediation. It took two solid weeks with most days on the computer all day learning how to use the software and equipment (which in my mind was going to be overwhelming, but was in fact joyful), experimenting with sound effects, timing, my voice, music etc. I was completely immersed and the outside world didn't exist, nor did any of my habitual thought patterns. My mind was stilled because I was completely PRESENT and focused on what I was doing and it was....IS the most incredible feeling in the world. So it seems, the level of resistance equals the level of joy that you will experience doing the very activity that you're avoiding like the plague. Does that make sense? In other words, the more you resist, the more you will enjoy! So what are you resisting? Is it exercise, a new way of eating, getting to bed earlier, mowing the lawn, sorting out your cupboards, or a creative project? Try if you can to get over the initial hurdle, because when you do, you're in for a treat as the universe will flow through you, and that feeling is quite simply OUT OF THIS WORLD!! If you'd like to listen to my meditation, please click here

The Fear Factor

It’s very difficult not to be affected by the fear that the media instils in us about the uncertainty of our country and the world around us. But these fearful thoughts may as well be real in terms of the effect they have on our bodies as they activate what’s called the ‘fight or flight’ response:

Designed to prepare us for imminent physical danger, stress hormones are pumped in the bloodstream to give us courage to fight, and blood is diverted from the inner organs to our muscles to give us strength to flee.

This is all very well if we have time to recover, which activates the ‘rest and digest’ response, but that often isn’t the case as we are constantly under some level of stress whether it be about money, work, family or our health.

But did you know that stress is caused by our thoughts about these things, not the actual things themselves?

That is the impact of our thoughts. It is our thoughts that cause our pain, but is it also our thoughts that create our happiness.

So how can we change our thoughts? By becoming aware of them.

This is where Yoga and Mindfulnesscome into play. Not only do they activate the ‘rest and digest’ response, allowing our bodies to physically recover from stress, but they teach us how to observe our thoughts.

With practice, we learn to tame our minds and think better thoughts. When we think better thoughts, we change how we feel, which helps us to feel more safe and secure in a world that’s going crazy around us. Self care is not only an investment in yourself, but for your loved ones as your feelings and attitudes affect everyone and everything around you.

Yoga in the Dark - Sunday 7th April 2019

Sunday 7th April 6-7pm @ Aztec Studio, Torquay

This is an exciting one-off event to raise money & awareness for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

They will provide is with eye masks and I will guide you through the hour long class with slow and clear instructions.

Not only will this give you an extra sensory experience of the practice, but most importantly, it will help you to appreciate how it feels to live with limited vision.

If you're interested in joining us and supporting this cause, please contact me to book your place.

The class will be by donation (minimum £5) and all proceedings will go to the RNIB.