Tonglen

So I signed up to a newsletter called Curvy Yoga because I love doing yoga and this seemed like a friendly site to work with. Upon opening today's instalment I came across a lovely technique. Extract from the newsletter below:

Here's what it comes down to for me (and what has become a bit of a daily mantra in my world):

• When I put my jeans on and instantly hate the way I look, I breathe in the suffering of everyone feeling the same. Then I breathe out compassion for all of us (and a reminder that jeans always get looser throughout the day).

• When I convince myself I must step on the scale and then find myself at the brink of a body image meltdown, I breathe in the pain of everyone else who is letting the scale dictate how they feel. Then I breathe out love for each of us (and a reminder that we're no less awesome than yesterday).

• When I go to a yoga class and find myself noticing, and judging myself, for being the biggest person in the room, I breathe in the hurt of everyone who feels alone. Then I breathe out empathy and solidarity for us (and a reminder that the first tenet of yoga is ahimsa, or compassion towards others, including ourselves).

• When I get the idea that being on a diet will solve all my problems, I breathe in the agony of everyone feeling less than. Then I breathe out wholeness for every one of us (and a reminder that no diet can ever determine our worth).

You can use this technique, called Tonglen, in any situation where you're feeling down on yourself, lonely, sad, etc. In community, we can find healing, and I'm thankful to be in one with you.

Not only are you not suppressing your feelings but you can recognise that you're not alone, making you feel better about yourself. I'm determined to give it a go....
Ellie :-) xx