How to Practice Ahimsa (Kindness) with Yourself

Photo by Dingzeyu Li on Unsplash

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
~Alice Walker

Today I trust you are mostly well, or at the very least “ok,” and that you are finding space for peace and tranquility for a minimum of one precious moment each day.

And because I know that can be a lot to ask for a day filled with life as we know it, in today’s article, I want to offer you a couple of practices that are supportive of our mind, body, and spirit and are amazing in their ability to calm our central nervous system, which in turn, allows us to follow the light back to a place of the abiding calm within, and the true essence of ourSelves and of others.

I offer this because:

• Coming home to who you are is essential each and every day as a practice, as a ritual, and as a non-negotiable.
• It is from a place of equanimity, peace, and calm that real molecular change happens, which cannot but demand change on the cellular level, not only for us individually but for all living beings on the planet.
• Being the most integrated and self-loving people, we are capable of being will change the world.
• Living in internal peace will and can bring peace to a planet that is yearning for it.
• Once we are in a state of safety, equanimity, and connection, all of our inspired creativity can be accessed, and true solutions will begin to flow from a place of courage and clarity.

“Nothing eases suffering like human touch.”
~Bobby Fischer

The first practice I will share today is a simple touch practice, which is rooted in my yogic training and practice and can also be recognized in Polyvagal Theory.

Touch works with the central nervous system. The human body’s response to safe touch is a sense of relaxation, calm, and safety. This can move us from a stress or protection place toward a space where connection, creativity, and clarity are possible. It’s interesting to note that our bodies cannot distinguish between the safe touch of a beloved and our own loving touch — cool huh???

This practice can be done standing or sitting, which is great for our day-to-day…