TUNING IN
One of my great joys in life is the practise of Yin Yoga. A slower paced style of yoga, it incorporates principles of traditional Chinese medicine, using asanas (postures) that are held for longer periods of time than in other styles.
As someone who lives in my head, getting into my body has been something that has become increasingly important as I've grown older. Using the power of the breath to calm, creates clarity of thought, releases creativity and enables compassion for myself and other people.
I'll be honest. There are days when I just don't want to get on my mat. The benefits of doing so, however, always outweigh any reluctance on my part.
What I really love about this particular yoga style is the use of the Five Elements. As they also form the foundation of the styling practice I teach - Fashion Feng Shui - it's fascinating to hear how yoga teachers blend what they know with what I do.
Arriving on our mats, one of my favourite teachers always asks:
"How does it feel to be YOU today?"
This is such a powerful way of checking in with yourself. So much so, I bring it into my everyday life, outside of the mat.
Every time I get dressed, I make the choice to stay with how I feel or intentionally change it and choose clothes accordingly. The principles of Fashion Feng Shui enable me to mindfully select what I want to wear. Do I want cosiness, power, joy, glamour, elegance or to feel more sporty, creative, chic, laid back, grounded? How I look aligns with how I want to feel. My clothing acts as an aid to my well-being.
Let’s face it, we all know what it like to wear clothes that don’t feel comfortable; they’re always ‘too’ something - tight, loose, short, long, low cut, not appropriate for the occasion, or the individual garments just don’t look right when worn together somehow.
If you’re constantly at odds with what you are wearing, it shows in your face as well as your body. I’m thinking of my own example of a shoe that had rubbed, causing blisters and I was stuck with them until the end of the day. Excruciating, especially for someone like me that has to move freely.
Here’s the Thing: Perhaps you could re-think your wardrobe as a possible wellness tool. Choose wisely, and it can assist you in a myriad of ways. It’s not always about only looking good. It’s most definitely more beneficial if you can feel good. If you feel good, you’ll automatically look great. It’s not always the same the other way around.