December Challenge Day 16: Yoga & Performance (16/12/22)
Musings On The Finitude Of Life & The Role Of Death In Teaching Us How To Live (ft. Stories From My Parents)
My report for how I implemented my Yoga challenge on Friday 16th December, and some general musings & reflections about performance, life, business, relationships, health, etc.
My Experience (Friday 16th December 2022):
Reflections on Yoga Challenge:
Video: Yoga With Kassandra Day 16
Time: 5:50pm (after long drive to Norwich)
Session Affirmation: “My healing is already in process”
Session Movement (Notable Poses):
Start with a seated shoulder and neck stretch.
Seated side to side head rolls.
Then an upper back/ shoulder stretch using ‘eagle’ arms on inhale, and spreading our arms out on exhaling.
Then go into tabletop pose and do some hip circles.
Go into downward-facing dog.
Step up and do a ragdoll stretch.
Back to downward-facing dog.
Right foot forward: Alternate between low lunge and half splits.
Repeat with left foot.
Reflections:
Yoga after a long drive (London —> Norwich) is incredible :)
This session was very stretching oriented - exactly what I needed!
I’m going to save this session and repeat it in the future - it’s wonderful for gentle stretches from shoulders all the way down to hips.
Reflections & Question for You
Musings On The Finitude Of Life & The Role Of Death In Teaching Us How To Live (Ft. Stories From My Parents)
Had some fascinating conversations with my parents recently.
If you’re sensitive to the topic of death, you may wish to avoid reading this post.
My mother was sharing a thought that popped in her mind a few days ago.
It was a strange thought - a realisation that in 14 years, she’ll be 72.
The numbers aren’t important, but the idea behind it is.
In essence, it made her realise that the probability of being around in 14 years was less than the probability of being around tomorrow.
And as such, putting herself in her shoes in ‘14 years time’ made her realise that she would probably value each day more highly then than she currently does.
She said that these thoughts helped her deeply connect with life as she walked in nature on one of the cold, sunny winter days we had recently.
The value of each day increases massively when you’re deeply connected to the fact that your last day becomes more probably with each one that passes.
But we all have different responses when confronted with our impermanence.
For some, it brings fear - we want to distract ourselves from it and avert ourselves from it.
For others, it brings liberation - we are simply free to deeply enjoy the present moment, while we still get to experience it.
On this note, my dad shared a dream he had.
In his dream, he was sleeping…and he realised he could ‘let go’ of life if he wanted.
And sure enough, he felt parts of his body begin to be released…to ascend.
And as it was happening, he then had a thought - “mmm, actually, not quite yet, it’s not my time”
And he decided to return to his body.
And he woke up.
Where did his thought to decide to live come from?
It wasn’t born from the fear of death - he has always seemed very peaceful with the concept of impermanence.
Rather, it was a thought born from his current peacefulness with life.
Like a gentle desire to stick around and see what’s going to happen.
He loved this dream.
In his mind, the idea of being able to ‘choose’ when he’s ready to go is deeply empowering.
(I agree too, personally!).
On my note, as an (almost) 30-year old.
I’ve written blog posts on my relationship with death.
I feel it teaches me how to live.
But, of course, when you’re caught up in the day-to-day routines around work and life admin…
…and unwanted admin like dealing with burst pipes…
…you can lose touch with that connection.
This is why I fill in my daily tracker each day.
I write notes on 5 categories (and assign each a score).
General Fulfilment
Relationship
Career
Recreation/Friends/Family
Health & Fitness
This is a useful tool for helping me to become aware of how I feel about each area (through assigning it a score), and to separate my emotions regarding each category from each other.
This then allows me to target that specific area which has a lower score, while also acknowledging what is going well.
But more than that, it connects me to the day I’ve just lived.
In recalling my day, I can check-in with how I lived that day.
Did I live it intentionally? Joyously? In alignment with my values?
In carrying out this reflection, I acknowledge how I experienced the passage of time.
Doing this for the last 2 years has been incredibly powerful.
Yes - 2 years has passed. And in hindsight, of course it’s gone quickly.
In many ways, I’m 2 years closer to my passing.
But in looking back at how intentionally I’ve lived those days, I know that I wouldn’t change a thing.
Each day was honoured in its own way.
And there is no greater gift to yourself than the knowledge that you lived each day of your life in a state of alignment.
This is the path of least regret.
For some, this idea seems excessive - if you’re reflecting, you’re not truly present with life.
But for me, this 10-minute reflection is what allows me to be present.
In being at peace with the day that has passed, and choosing how I wish to live tomorrow, I can fully experience it in the present.
That’s it for now - I could wax lyrical on this topic for hours, but will be disciplined.
I hope you all have a lovely rest of the weekend!
Reflection for you:
How can you live the next 24 hours in a state of deep presence and connection to life?
We’ve made it to the end of Day 16 of our December Challenge! Thank you so much for reading - I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Hope that you have an amazing day ahead!
Until tomorrow,
Kam