Self Care Journey - Yoga for Grief with Lakshmi Kanter

Whether you are a current caregiver or are grieving a loss, I can't stress enough the importance of selfcare. Remember you can't get water from an empty well. Yesterday, I attended Yoga for Grief with Lakshmi Kanter at RECHARJ. recharj® is the premier meditation studio in Washington, DC. Just steps from the White House, they deliver peace of mind in a noisy city. They feature “best in class” meditation teachers offering accessible and enriching classes from a variety of traditions. There you can experience an inspiring meditation session or power nap during your workday. When classes are not in session, their meditation room is open to the public for self-guided practice.

This class in particular shared healthy ways to cope with loss based on the yogic traditions. Whether you're missing a loved one, pet, home, job, community, or anything else that's shaken your sense of self, you may deeply benefit from the simple breathing, movement, and meditation practices explored in this all-levels workshop. We explored methods to release tension built up in the body related to coping, loss, stress, lack of control, and over-identification with thoughts and feelings. The self-soothing, self-coping, self-healing, and self-empowering yoga practices in this workshop are appropriate for those completely new to yoga, as well as experienced practitioners. The practices in this workshop can be a great way to pay respect for any losses you've experienced directly or known a loved one to experience.

I learned some of the Yogic practice called Sankalpa where you set your intention before you begin. One technique from this practice that I will continue is called the “windmill”.

After leaving this class I felt peaceful as well as a little exhausted as I was able to release some of the stress from losing my mother so recently and having the tools to continue once I get home. I encourage you if your near DC to check out Recharj or if you’re not another yoga/meditation studio. The power of meditation when you go thru life’s trials and tribulations is amazing.

I will end this blog with a quote that the instructor shared at the end of the class: from the Kafka and the Doll: The Pervasiveness of Loss story. “everything that you love, you will eventually lose, but in the end, love will return in a different form.”

If you want to look into recharj check them out by visiting: https://recharj.com/

For more information about the instructor check out her website: http://www.yogaforgriefrelief.com/about-me/my-approach/