Few
days ago I joined a yoga
nidra class a friend had suggested. Lying on the floor, eyes
closed, listening to the instructor’s guidance and reaching
deeper and deeper into consciousness, the body is supposed to fall in
an asleep state. I
have practised yoga nidra few times before, but this time my body
didn’t exactly respond
as previously.
Instead, motionless on the floor, I started feeling my thumbs
locking, my knees aching and my ankles heavier than all the luggage I
have carried thus far across places. I
was meditating, but at
the same time I was
also fully aware of my body’s tensions; sort
of a dual awareness.
I
realised that it wasn’t just me reconnecting with my consciousness
down there. My
body was also seizing the chance to reconnect with me, finally
grasping my attention to show me all the things I had to take care of
but
was for long ignoring.
Awaken
afterwards, I was inevitably conscious of all the aching muscles in
my body and immensely grateful. I breathed out and was full of love
for all parts of me that keep me going, as well as for the other
people around me (which we have to admit that in our antagonistic
fields, it is as rare as finding water in the desert).
Later
that night, still aching and tired from the passing of another
intensive week full of deadlines and scheduling, I filled the tub
with bubbles and salts and simply dived in. Now, I have to say,
bubble baths are not my thing and barely have myself one or two per
year, ending them by being guilty about the amount of water I have
wasted. But, that last time, I also felt that it was necessary; most
of the aching was eventually gone and my joints were now smoother.
Bubble
baths may not be your thing either, not to mention yoga nidra. But at
these end points of exhausting weeks, or fortnights, or months, don’t
neglect to
take your much needed – and much deserved! – break. Keep up with
your favourite hobby or experiment with new ones. You always have the
option of doing this from the comfort of your personal space. For
example, there is a number of guided meditation apps where you can
select the programme and pace that suits you the best. Or,
if you feel drained of energy to do anything at all, then consider
simply
having
a promenade through the park or by the seaside.
Indoors
or outdoors, introvert or extrovert, make sure not to lose the
connection to your body; or if you very humanly do lose it for a
while, find your own paths to recovering it. These numb toes and
cracking fingers are just as important as your mind in pulling
through your PhD!
Photograph:
promenade through Parc Léopold,
Brussels, in October 2019.
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