“A bird cannot hold its perch and fly. Neither can we grasp anything and be free.”
Deborah Adele, The Yamas and NiYamas
Aparigraha is one of the Yamas, or ethical practices, of yoga. It translates to non-attachment, non-possessiveness, and non-greed. I’ve been thinking about this idea of non-attachment a lot lately and how it’s playing out in my life and in my yoga business.
I’ve spent much of my life as a pretty typical Type-A personality and need to control as many aspects of my life as I can. In times when things feel out of my control or like they’re slipping away, I find myself clinging on tighter. Whether this is in relationships, jobs, my health, etc. If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar place, then you know those moments don’t usually end well and always cause more suffering than they need to.
I’ve spent many years working to release my grip, let go, and not be so attached to the outcome.
Since learning about the Yamas and Niaymas and especially since reading that quote from Deborah Adele in her book, it always pops into my head whenever I notice myself trying to cling on harder to something, and instead try to encourage myself to surrender.
I’ve been making many hard decisions for myself lately that are requiring me to surrender – to changes in my business, to not forcing things, and to create more space and stillness to see what actually feels good in my body, mind, and soul. The more that I allow myself to surrender – to who I am, to what I desire, and to live from that place, the more freedom I feel.
In many ways, this feels like a season for me to start fresh in some areas of my life, and in the most beautiful coincidence, the newest guided meditation on The Soul Connection Podcast is a Fresh Start Meditation. This 10-minute meditation is an opportunity for renewal, for a refresh. So whatever area of your life feels like it needs a clean slate, let this meditation and journal practice support you through it.
Monthly intention: Live Well
Today’s meditation: Fresh Start Meditation
Your journal prompt for today is: Where do you need a fresh start? What aspect of your life could benefit from a fresh start?
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Add a yoga class to your practice today from my YouTube channel, Katie Arnold Yoga.
Learn about the 28-day Connection Intensive here: https://iamkatiearnold.com/explore/
Find more from me @iamkatiearnold and @soulconnectionpodcast visit my website iamkatiearnold.com for more tips for your practice, to learn about my virtual yoga and meditation studio, Studio Connection, live events, and more.
Freebies:
- 30-day Meditation Habit Tracker
- Mindful Movement class calendar
- Journal Prompts for when you’re stressed out
- You are Loved guided Meditation
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Stock Music provided by MFH_Productions, from Pond5
