november intentions 2020
November 11, 2020.
This time of year can be a lot.
The days get dark earlier, the air is getting (sometimes unbearably) colder, and the holiday season is rapidly approaching... with what feels like a reckless disregard of our readiness or if we are missing someone that usually would fill a seat at our table each year.
Of course, it can also be an extremely beautiful time of year. With the holidays giving us excuses to gather and show the people around us that we love them, the uplifting and feel good movies/music, and feeling hugged by that cozy nostalgia.
For me, I often find that with November creeps in my winter habits of closing off and wanting to hibernate until warmer weather and sunshine comes again. As 2020 has already stirred up its tidal waves of chaos and turmoil for the world, I can honestly acknowledge that I have been anticipating this winter season with pre-emptive negativity and concern.
So as this transition into winter is undeniably beginning (...we have already had our first snow fall in Boston...how...) I am working to be honest with my worries and instead of trying to plow through them or letting them weigh me down, I will use that honesty to direct my intentions this month.
This November, I will still let myself turn inwards. However, instead of being guided by anxiety, I will turn inwards with the intention of leaning into 'hibernation' in order to connect deeper with my sense of self. In an external world that can feel really chaotic, it's so important that we find the seat of peace and build the home we need and seek within ourselves.
I move with the words of Brené Brown echoing in the caverns of my self:
Strong back, soft front, wild heart.
Brené Brown
By moving on our mats this month with the intention of literally and physically building a strong back line of our body and opening/softening the front line of our body, we then can tap into and free our wild hearts. And as we use our asana, our physical practice, to practice this concept on our mat space we can encourage it to seep into the practice of our mind and spirit.
In her book Braving The Wilderness, Brené Brown discusses meeting Maya Angelou after her own feature on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday (...p.s. I literally just felt the magical power of that trio just by typing their names in the same sentence, w o w..) After listening to Brené Brown talk, Maya Angelou came up to her and told her firmly, "Brené, do not be moved.." referencing Angelou's own line, "Like a tree planted by the river, I shall not be moved."
Brené goes on to tell the story, explaining how up until then she had spent the majority of her life moving to try to fit in and feel like she belongs. And then she asks herself, what do you do when the Maya Angelou tells you not to be moved? Brené says, "...You learn how to plant your damn feet. You bend and stretch and grow but you commit to not moving from who you are...at the very least you start trying."
In the practice of 'hibernating' this November and turning inwards, deeply connecting to our self, we are taking the time we deserve to practice self love, acknowledge our inherent self worth, and work to live bravely and authentically in that light. Courageously and fiercely planting our feet so that we too can continue to grow and stretch and bend, and not be moved from who we are.
To have a strong back, a soft front, and a wild heart because of, and in honor of, the work it takes to feel deeply, authentically connected to our sense of belonging in the home of our self.
There is an interview with Maya Angelou on this idea of belonging-- the interviewer asks her questions like, "Do you belong anywhere?" and she calmly says, not yet. And then they ask her, "Do you belong to anyone?" and she answers, "More and more. I mean, I belong to myself. I am very proud of that. I am very concerned with how I look at Maya. I like Maya very much. I like the humor and courage very much, and when I act in a way that doesn't please me... I have to deal with that."
I think this is the heart of the work-- and where I hope this November intention guides us this month. This is the practice of building a nest within the deepest heart of our self-- a place to come back to that will always hold, nurture, and protect the truth of our existence. The place we go to feel connected to our purpose and to inhale after a long and trying day. The place of feeling belonging in our self.
We can get there by working on our strong backs, soft fronts, and wild hearts-- as we connect deeper and learn how to not be moved away from our own self this month.
I hope that you take what serves you from this and feel free to leave behind what doesn't. & whether it is inspired by your own intention or mine, please join me on the mat this month via zoom!
You can find the monthly calendar on the menu tab & register for classes there <3
And check out my November Flow playlist on Spotify that we will be using to help guide our flow and connect to this intention throughout the month.
Please reach out with any thoughts, questions, or comments that pop up! Thank you for taking the time to read through my brainwaves this month. And if you are looking for something to do with friends, family, or coworkers this holiday season (virtually) feel free to reach out about how we can plan/host a special event and give your community the gift of a guided yoga flow paired with a card reading or creative activity this season!
Let's continue onwards together.
