Issue #6 - Balance in the moment

A gift to encourage a moment of presence and creativity

Dear Friends,

I’ve realised something: despite declaring The Yoga Letters to be bimonthly, it is, actually, weekly.

Each and every week I feel to write something, and so I now announce that this is a officially a weekly newsletter!

I’m not sure why I set out with the aim to make it bimonthly, or every other week. Perhaps I was unsure of the commitment that would be involved in such a thing? Who knows?

Anyway, The Yoga Letters has become its own entity and it sort of writes itself - I guess I am just the channel. So I am embracing it. It’s a weekly. And writing that feels good.

---

Moving on, I’ve got something a little different for you.

Print out this email and grab your colouring pens (if you don’t have any, please treat yourself to some).

Make yourself a warm drink and enjoy a little bit of creative time in these last days of hibernation.

If you’ve already shaken off the need to rest and are enjoying the rush of energy that is building all around us, then please approach this activity as a chance to slow down and recalibrate. Invite a sense of balance into the equation. Remember, we can’t be all go-go-go!

Photo by JL Merilles on Unsplash

How to engage with the mandala

A mandala, as well as being a beautiful geometric pattern, is a tool used by countless spiritual traditions to help focus our attention, or as Wikipedia put it:

A mandala generally represents the spiritual journey, starting from outside to the inner core, through layers.

I suggest getting yourself settled - whether you have loads of time or only a few minutes - and know that no matter if you are alone or surrounded by tons of people, it is always possible to spend a few moments in presence.

It is always possible to find calm within yourself and to be at home within your body.

To engage with the magic of this process, gently move your body - your hands - being aware of the colours and your choices and how it feels to move your pen across the page.

Notice your breathing. Observe the quality of your breath: Is it fast, or slow?

Notice the sensations in your body as you breathe and in your hand and in your arm. Is there any tightness, any tension? Or does it feel light, free and easy?

Notice the places that your mind travels to; the thoughts you have. Is there a lot of stress, or are things fairly straightforward for you right now?

We’re not here to judge our thoughts or ourselves or others, but to notice how we are feeling.

Perhaps there are some hopes, dreams and visions for the future that would like your attention.

Notice whatever is there. Allow it. Accept it.

Then come back to your breath and that which you are creating. Give yourself some credit here; I bet it’s looking beautiful!

Read the Danielle Orner quote below and reflect on what it means to you. Perhaps it prompts you to write about it. Perhaps not.

No matter the outcome, there is always much to gain from making some room for ourselves, here, now, in the moment.

It’s not always immediately obvious. If you are new to such ideas and practices, please know that it is common for it to feel a little odd. Especially if we are not used to slowing down and being present.

But, I can assure you: Time spent with yourself is never wasted.

“Life is a balance between what we can control and what we cannot.

I am learning to live between effort and surrender.”

Danielle Orner

With love, peace and kindness,

Louisa x

---

Next week, we’ll be diving back into the Yoga Sutras. I will be writing a general overview, for everybody, where I shall try to introduce some of the key concepts.

Then, for those who are paying subscribers, there will be an especially created Guided Journal Booklet, offering a dedicated space to work through any reflections.

I cannot wait. See you then.