Connecting with Joy
For July’s yoga classes, we are focusing on connecting with joy and enjoying a more easeful practice. Joy is definitely something you can cultivate, and practising it makes it easier to experience spontaneously. It’s too easy to forget about joy in our adult lives but it helps us stay connected to the child within, and to any children in our lives.
Joy as a Practice
Connecting with joy is more than just a fleeting moment of happiness. It’s a practice that we can intentionally cultivate, just like any other aspect of our yoga journey, but please don’t feel that this is another thing to add to the to-do list. Many of us feel so bogged down by all that needs doing, often it’s difficult to do more than just keep our heads down and keep carrying on! However, if we can open ourselves to practising joy, even when it feels challenging, it becomes easier to access and experience. It’s like building a muscle; the more we work on it, the stronger it becomes, and hopefully life feels a little lighter as a result.
Embracing the Joyful Moments
Take a moment now to reflect on what joy means to you. Close your eyes and let your mind wander to a memory of something that made you feel joyful. Perhaps you can feel the edges of your mouth starting to curl upwards. It could be the taste of your favourite food, the sight of a loved one, or the feeling of being surrounded by nature’s beauty. Notice how it feels in your body to remember joy, perhaps you notice a sense of warmth or softness as well as a gentle smile.
Cultivating Joy in Daily Life
Although we are practising connecting with joy in yoga classes this month, connecting with joy doesn’t end on the yoga mat; it’s a practice that can infuse every aspect of our lives. As you go about your day, be mindful of the little moments that bring you joy. It could be noticing the vibrant colours of a newly blossomed flower, laughing with a friend, or appreciating being able to move your body. By consciously seeking and embracing joy, we create a ripple effect in our own lives and of those around us.
Try this!
Remember, cultivating joy is a journey, not a destination. It’s okay to have days when joy feels elusive, but by consistently practising and nurturing it, we create a life where moments of joy arise more easily and more often. Next time you can’t sleep, you might try to remember moments of joy you experienced that day or that week. It’s a nice way to drop off and might lead to joyful dreams too!
If you’d like to join me for support with your yoga practice, have you thought about joining my online classes? Although the live ones are pausing for August, if you sign up now you won’t pay anything else til October, and you’ll have access to all the bonus videos to do in your own time before we start September 4th.
