Santosha...yoga speak for Contentment + I'm coming to Wilmington!
Hello,
Did you know that an estimated 75 to 90 percent of all doctor visits are for chronic stress related issues?
I work with many clients who are identifying and changing their relationship with unmanaged stress in their lives. Nothing makes me happier than than knowing my clients are making fewer visits to the doctor and beginning to live well again.
I'm so passionate about my work that I'm bringing Integrative Relaxation (massage, reiki, yoga nidra and sound healing) to Wilmington a few days a month. I'll be seeing clients one on one at the beautiful Oasis Center for Craniosacral Therapy on the following days.
*September 27th
*October 11 & 25
*November 8 & 29
*December 6 & 20
I'm super excited to be closer to those of you who have wanted to book a private session but have not been able to wrap your mind around driving all the way to Southport. I get it!
Email integrativerelaxation@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
I have been thinking alot about contentment and how it relates to chronic unmanaged stress. I often invite my clients and Yoga Nidra students to welcome each experience or session with no expectation of a specific outcome, to approach with hopefulness. Which, like joy, is our true nature and birthright.
One of the best explanations of contentment I have ever read comes from a book written by Donna Farhi - Yoga Mind, Body, Spirit. It is in her chapter called Living Principles in which she discusses Yamas (characteristics) & Niyamas (codes for living soulfully). Yes, more yoga speak. They are mostly concerned with how we use our energy in relationship to others and, in a subtler sense, our relationship to ourselves.
Here is what she says about contentment (santosha):
" Santosha, or the practice of content-ment, is the ability to feel satisfied within the container of one's immediate experience Contentment shouldn't be confused with happiness, for we can be in difficult, even painful circumstances and still find some semblance of contentment if we are able to see things as they are without the conflictual pull of our expectations. Contentment also should not be confused with complacency, in which we allow ourselves to stagnate in our growth Rather it is a sign that we are at peace with whatever stage of growth we are in and the circumstances we find ourselves in. This doesn't mean that we accept or tolerate unhealthy relationships or working conditions. But it may mean that we practice patience and attempt to live as best we can within our situation until we are able to better our conditions.
Contentment not only implies acceptance of the present but tends to generate the capacity for hopefulness. This may seem contradictory but it is not. When you are equanimous within any situation, this strengthens your faith that there is the possibility of living even more fully. This possibility is not held out as something to look forward to, nor does it have the negative effect of making you feel dissatisfied until those hopes are gratified Rather, the ability to sustain one's spirits, even in dire situations, is proof that a central sense of balance is rarely contingent on circumstances. And sustaining hopefulness, even when there are few signs that things will improve, is one very good way of fostering contentment."
I'm heading out on a week of holidays this Sunday. (i'll be back for y'all Sept 5th). I have been excitedly planning this for a while now.
It involves air travel, rental cars, hotel, a wedding, friends and family. It is my intention to let go of any expectations that I may try to put on the trip or on others. To enjoy and be satisfied with my immediate experience. Sounds easy enough, right? But have you ever done that? Let small ridiculous expectations ruin something that could have been amazing?
May we all practice patience, compassion and contentment.
Shine On
Shannon