Thank you for showing up! Before anything else, thank you — to every single one of you who read the first blog post. The feedback and reflections, thoughtful messages, and generous shares were so heartwarming. Some of you even began recommending resources for exploring Yoga off the mat — I truly appreciate that you felt called to share them, and I want to highlight some here:
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach*
This powerful book was recommended by a student who found it incredibly supportive during a healing phase. I couldn’t agree more — Tara’s work is full of gentle wisdom, and this book is a beautiful companion for those seeking tender transformation.
How Yoga Works by Christie McNally and Michael Roach*
It’s a story-driven interpretation of Patanjali’s Sutras, offering a lighter approach than the traditional text. A student shared how accessible and enjoyable it was to read — couldn’t agree more.
Feel free to send other recommendations related to Yoga, hopefully in the future we can have a big community library with tools to explore.
Shifting gears a little bit, and using storytelling as healing
One of the ways I use Yoga for healing is through storytelling — sharing the experiences that helped me grow, the moments I’m still digesting, and the lessons that continue to unfold. I was once introduced to the practice of RAIN [Recognize, Allow, Investigate and Nurture] (guided by Tara Brach – I mentioned her earlier here).
This came during a particularly raw season of my life, and helped me begin to truly process my emotions. So in case you are going trough a period of your life that it feels overwhelming or you feel lost, understand that this moment is temporary and perhaps you give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling. Then trust your body (and a professional that can help you with tools) to do the work. The work might not be linear, and it definitely not easy, but it can offer a new way forward.
Life as a healing menu
Life isn’t one-size-fits-all. Healing, access to support, and understanding our emotional patterns depend on so many factors & variables such as upbringing, geographical location, culture, access to care, and much more. These aren’t just ideas — they’re backed by science, and I encourage you to dig deeper if you feel called.
So if you’re wrestling with intrusive thoughts, insecurity, fear of being alone, or a deep sense of disconnection, know that it may be time to reach out to a trained professional. You are not meant to carry it all alone. And if you’re already doing the work, remember:
healing isn’t linear.
It’s not just butterflies and bliss.
have a support system.
be clear on whether your partner can hold space for you.
and most importantly: give yourself grace and compassion.
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* affiliate links, I might receive a small commission.
Tools to explore:
There are RAIN practices published and free to access on Insight Timer app. See bellow one of my favorites