One of the things I have loved about creating these mood boards each month is it has reaffirmed the values that I hold close - and the things that I need on a daily/monthly basis to feel most at peace and that I am still moving forward.
If you’ve been following along, or atleast have scrolled through to see each month, you’ll notice a few recurring images. I have quotes that resonate with me, images that focus on work or creating with my hands, images with friends or my partner, walk shadow selfies, and in-studio yoga photos. There are also a few food images thrown in here and there and travel or seasonal activities.
As I write this today, April 16 - it is a memorial day for me, the day my dad passed away 6 years ago. On days like today, I reflect on what has helped me make it this far and there’s one thing in particular that stands out - yoga.
I’ve been practicing yoga since I moved to Irvine - maybe even before - but my memories start at Corepower off Jamboree. I could easily walk across the street from my apartment at the time for a break and a good workout. Then, I really saw it as a great way to stay in shape and feel strong. Since then, it has changed into something that has held me through tough days and lifted me higher on great days.
As we all do, I sometimes slip, but I aim to make it to a yoga class 4-6 times a week. I am privileged to have freedom and boundaries within my work schedule to make it to classes at various times throughout the day.
As a person in a creative role and career, it allows my brain a break to stop and think, recharge, and find new solutions to the problems I am solving.
As a person who is very sensitive, it allows me the space to pause, reflect, and take deep breaths.
As a person who is in various stages of grief, it allows me a space to connect back with myself and feel like I have that space to honor my dad, my grandma, even those who are still here with me.
As a person who wants to feel strong, it empowers my physical and mental self to keep building my power.
Since my beginnings at Corepower, what yoga means to me has evolved, and as you can see through my moodboards, it is something I consider to be a mainstay in my life. I see and feel how my yoga practice has changed me throughout the years, and helped in my grieving process and with daily anxiety.
I love setting the intention at the beginning of each practice, often I find words to repeat to myself or focus on visualizations. The past few weeks I have been repeating ‘Creativity, Confidence, and Power’ as my intention - words I needed to remind myself to embody and project. Today, in my gentle flow class, I visualized my dad in class next to me - recalling his love for boot camp style classes and envisioning how he might look over and wink at me in savasana.
I am so thankful to have an incredible studio here in Ventura, Grassroots Yoga, who offer various types of classes that fit in with what I need on an ever-changing basis. Some days are power flow days, while others I really just need a gentle flow class.
I could probably talk about yoga for much too long, but it is something I will always encourage everyone to look for and try. If holding space for intentions or visualizations doesn’t resonate with you, look at it as a way to keep your body flexible and strong. I think you’ll be surprised at the effects that follow.
All images were snagged from Pinterest, therefore I do not take credit for any original thought surrounding them individually. They will not be used to make any profit on.
