Non Judgment
This Saturday, I woke exhausted and in an emotional state caused by a rollercoaster week. Like most Saturdays, I was suppose to go to the dojo to train Aikido. I also wanted to support my friend who was being promoted that morning.
With an exhausted stressed mind my thoughts instantly went to judgment: if I don’t train I am lazy. If I don’t train, I’m being a total flake to my friend and community. I felt the intense pressure I was putting on myself and could feel the spiraling of negative self taught creeping in.
But then, another thought arose: what if, instead of judging my judgment I just take a moment. So I took a moment, then I took a breath. This gave me space to look at why I was judging myself in the first place. Why was I lazy for being exhausted? For listening to my body instead of pushing through? Why was I a flake for taking care of myself?
The moment I began to look at this judgment, non judgmentally, I became calm and my thoughts began to soften. What if I go to the dojo but I observe class and support my friend from the sidelines?
And I did just that. I found that not only was I able to support my friend and community by just showing up but in turn they did the same for me. Something I didn’t realize I needed.
Non judgment isn’t about not having judgments. Some judgments are needed, like judging if a situation is safe or not. Practicing non judgment is about taking notice of the judgment that arises, getting curious, and seeing where it comes from, asking questions like: why is this good? bad? neutral? Why do I want this? Why don’t I want this?
Take Away Practice
Last weeks focus was non striving and what better way to practice this then with a restorative yoga class. This was Sundays Rest & Digest class. I hope you enjoy it!
Last Week
Last week in Adventures within Somatics, we explored non striving through visualizations as we took striving, using it to somatically paint a blank wall letting go of any outcome.
We went inside to the breath playing with a three part breath techniques as well as going within a body scan Mindful Meditation allowing us to practice non striving.
Ending, or beginning, the week with Sundays Rest & Digest, we surrendered to stillness and let go of outcomes as we rested in a variety of poses for up to 10 mins, resetting our bodies, minds, souls.
This Weeks Class Overviews
Wednesday Aug 9th, 2023 4pm PT/7pm ET
In Adventures within Somatics, we will play with movements and visualizations. Class is open to all ages, abilities, and levels.
Thursday Aug 10th, 2023 6am PT/9am ET
During the Sunrising Meditation & Breath Works, we will reconnect within our breath and a Mindful Meditation within stillness. Class is open to all ages, abilities, and levels.
Sunday Aug 13th, 2023 5pm PT/8pm ET
For our most delicious class of all…Rest & Digest, is the ultimate stillness practice within comfort allowing us to reset. Class is open to all ages, abilities, and levels.
Even though classes have started you can still join us. Sign up gives you access to weekly class recordings, even if you can’t make the live zoom classes.
This week, when you find judgment arise within yourself, I invite you to take a moment, take a breath, and create space to explore that judgment non judgmentally!
With much Luv and Gratitude,
Casey
Enjoy!
Take Away Practice
Rest & Digest Class