Awakening Our Heart

"Remember that this is not something we do just once or twice. Interrupting our destructive habits and awakening our heart is the work of a lifetime.""
~ Pema Chodron

Hello, my friends!

I couldn't resist sharing this series of Javi photos with you today.  He's a regular in my home studio, and I enjoy having his energy with me while I practice. Typically, he settles right into yoga time.

Who knew that he's also interested in playing my Tibetan singing bowl?! 😅 (Thanks for capturing the entire getaway, Julie!)

If Javi's cuteness distracted you, and you missed the quotation at the top? Understandable! 😉

But, please. Take another moment to (re)-read. ☝🏽

" . . . awakening our heart is the work of a lifetime." 

I agree, and I cannot overstate the importance, the value, of this work. When we enliven our own heart space, and lead from there, it is valuable for ourselves, one another, our community, and our planet. 

Today, a powerful, simple breath practice to help tune into, and awaken, our heart space. It's all about expanding self-love. 

• Find a comfortable seat and an elegant spine;
• Eliminate distractions. Close your eyes. Settle into deep, even breaths; 
• Bring your palms together in front of heart center in Anjali Mudra;
• Begin thinking about an experience or moment you love. Stay with that for a few breaths and fill yourself with love for that opportunity, that gift; 
• Then, shift to thinking about a person, or a pet, that you love. Fill every cell and fiber of your being with the big, open-hearted love you feel for that being. Take a couple more breaths with your awareness at your heart space;  
• Now, shift into something you love about yourself. You've got this! And, if you have trouble connecting to something, think about what your best friend would say about you and feel in from there;
• On your next Inhale: expand your arms out to the sides, as if you're about to give someone a HUGE hug;
• As you do this, you might imagine a bright light expanding from your heart space, all the way to your fingertips and beyond;
• As you exhale, return your hands back into Anjali Mudra, pressed palms, and draw in all the light and all the love. 
• Continue for 10 - 15 rounds, surrounding yourself with light and love. 

Ahhhhhh, what a shift. Linger there, and soak up the goodness, for as long as possible. 
So simple. So powerful. So. Much. Value. 
Why not gift yourself this simple ritual every day, for the next seven days?
Let me know how it goes!

♥️♥️♥️,
~m

​P.S.
Only 5 slots left for this year's Art Of Connection 
Saturday, June 24 | 2 - 5 P.

Learn more and secure your spot, here. 

Have questions? Want to know more?
Please, reach out: michelleshawyoga@icloud.com