June Fortify

How are you doing right now? Have you had some water today? What's one thing you've done to care for yourself in the last 24 hours?

It's fitting that the theme for June is FORTIFY.

Some questions for your consideration this month:

On the mat, is your approach to your practice and your body fortifying? It's possible, dare I say not uncommon, for us to actually harm, hurt, let down, neglect or discourage (all antonyms of fortify) ourselves physically, spiritually or psychically on the mat. We have been well-trained to do so (no pain, no gain).

What would it be like to use the question, "Does this fortify me?" as you move through an asana (pose) practice? Let that inform the decisions you make.

What would it be like to use that question throughout your day? This meal, this conversation, this screentime? This doesn't get us out of doing uncomfortable work -- sometimes to protect, prepare and strengthen, we will rub up against areas that are new and challenging. Does it ultimately bolster your growth as a human?

More generally, how do you fortify yourself, your family, your communities, Mother Earth?

And just like if one of your children is in pain, and you're going to give that child more attention (I saw this analogy and thought it was helpful), how are we going to fortify, protect and support our BIPOC brothers and sisters in this time? Not that the pain is new; it is intensified and the portal for real change is opening before us. May we be fortified so we can step toward it; may we help fortify our BIPOC friends and help create lasting change.


Speaking of...in her article, Mapping Our Social Change Roles in Times of Crisis, Deepa Iyer asks herself, "What are my values, how can I be aligned and in right relationship with them, what are the needs of the communities who anchor me, and what can I offer with my full energy?"

There is a lot of support out there, many ways for us to stay in the practice on and off the mat. Join me.

Wishing you wellness, love, and fortification.

As ever,
Michelle
 

Michelle Marlahan
Where Self Care becomes Soul Care

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