We All Need Support

 

What is standing between you and your optimal health this year?

Over the past weeks I have been thinking about support and the role it can play in our lives. We are hardwired for connection and yet many of us dismiss this. Our culture tends to promote independence, autonomy, and a competitive edge. What are your beliefs around support? What kind of messages did you receive about support growing up? 
 
Here’s what I know to be true in my own life and what I see professionally in my somatic therapy and yoga teaching practice:

We Cannot Do This Alone

What gets in the way of you receiving support? Here are some common misguided thoughts or beliefs - do they ring any bells?

  • I don’t want to appear needy or inept; I can figure this out on my own.

  • Reaching out is a weakness.

  • Something is wrong with me and I don’t want anyone to know.

  • I don’t deserve support; others have it way worse than me.

  • I don’t want to deal with this, otherwise known as denial. 

Here's the thing – we all need support. We need each other. There are some things about ourselves that we can only learn in interaction with others. Yes, asking for support can bring up vulnerability and this is where we can summon self-compassion and courage, and stretch out of our comfort zone. Once we start receiving the right kind of support, we often feel better, develop better coping skills, positively impact mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and increase longevity.


Support Can Take Many Forms


Here are some examples of what support could look like:

  • Talk openly with trusted friends, or perhaps certain family members.

  • Join a support or self help group.

  • Participate in a regular yoga class - I suggest restorative or yoga Nidra.

  • Connect with a spiritual teacher or clergy.

  • Take an interesting course, join a club, or return to school.

  • Go on a retreat.

  • Contact a health professional or healer.

  • Get a massage.

  • Receive a reiki treatment.

  • Join a meditation community.

  • Do things that help you to feel joyful, safe, strong, and connected.

Here are ways I can support you
to boost your health this 2020:

  1. Book a somatic therapy session. Consider this modality if you are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and/or trauma.

  2. Learn to meditate or get support for your existing practice.

  3. Explore mindfulness with me.

  4. Discover or elevate your yoga practice – we can explore restorative or dynamic postures.

  5. Book a reiki or energy healing session.

Relationships Matter –
A New Workshop with Lisa and Lisa!

Mark your calendar... Lisa Messina and I are facilitating a very special workshop entitled, Relationships Matter. This is an experiential workshop to help foster deeper connections with others. Many of us struggle with cultivating meaningful relationships. If you desire deeper connections and intimacy in your life, self-awareness and conscious communication are essential skills to acquire. 

Where:  Roots Yoga Studio, 1073 Yonge Street, 3rd Flloor
Date:  Saturday April 25th, 2020
Time:  2:00-5:00 pm
Cost:  $150.00 + HST

PUBLIC CLASS SCHEDULE

I offer two public yoga classes a week:

Tuesday:  10 - 11 am
The Flow, at 889 Community

Friday: 8:30 - 9:30 am
Move and Meditate, at 889 Community

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So this 2020, why not practice reaching out to get support. You matter, and I am honoured to be of service. Remember, you are not alone. As the late spiritual teacher Ram Das said, “We are all just walking each other home.”
 
Namaste,

 
 
Kathryn Bowen