I am in the South of France at the moment. Always, when arriving here, I go into health mode. Not in a forced way, it just happens. First day out to buy groceries and I am naturally tempted by all the delicious fruits and green salads on display. There are mini-markets everywhere and so I easily forget to buy something sweet. Unless I go into the patisserie and know I just need a croissant or pain au chocolat as well – I mean, I am in France!
My yoga practice also steps up while I am here. I have a terrace facing the sea, and it is very easy to roll out my mat in the morning. That is when the sun is shining with all its rays reflecting on the water. Seeing the space and light around me give me a lot of great energy.
I love teaching yoga. During my classes in London, I do the warm-up postures and movements with the intention to prepare my body for demonstration of peak postures I want to include. My focus is on the participants in the class. The focus during self-practice is very different. From turning outwards I turn inwards. On holiday, that is when I make time to listen fully to my body and feel what the various movements and postures do for me. Where is there tightness? Where is there more space today? What if I do this movement before that posture, would that mean more ease? When I am in the South of France I practise yoga every day and enjoy being curious about my practice.
It is a bit funny. When I go on holiday I always feel tired in my body, and then I practise much more yoga than usual and feel better. Okay, I do sleep more too!
My dog is here with me. I want to go out with him early in the morning before it gets too hot. Day four this time, that is when the daily yoga practice benefits really kicked in. It was just after 7am. I was out on the morning walk and couldn’t believe the lightness in my body. Walking felt so incredibly effortless I had to laugh out loud.
So you see one important way of showing up for me is to practise yoga. It might be very different for you! Maybe you have a self care practice or hobby you feel you owe yourself to go deeper into? With summer and lots of daylight, perhaps now is a good time to explore what you enjoy a bit more. Show up for you and let great energy flow.
