March Personal Practice

Archetype: Healer
Bird: Weaver
Artist's Way: Spontaneity
​Mudra: Shunya Mudra

Development

This is an interesting group of cards. The affirmation for the shunya mudra, or gesture of emptiness, is "With greater openness to new ways of seeing, I create space for the journey of awakening."

The bird card is about finding or creating my true home. The healer archetype transforms pain into healing. And the Spontaneity card says that by releasing the fear of abandonment, our loved ones are able to love us back with more spontaneity. 

The spontaneity card reminds me of work that I've been doing for myself and others around healthy boundaries. And finding my home with the help of the Weaver can be interpreted as my domicile and my body. My practice this month, will align with both interpretations. I will focus on my home and my body. For when I open space in both and they are uncluttered and functional, I am able to continue last month's work of putting compassion into action by transforming pain into healing.
 
I also learned from last month's over-complexity of yoga sequences. This month began with a full moon, so I'm practicing a moon salute. On days when I have a little more time, I'll add poses that support my intention for the month.

Reflection

I was able to incorporate aspects of this month's practice in little ways here and there throughout the month. I used Shunya Mudra whenever I wanted to create a little extra space. I specifically remember using it during the Forgiveness Ceremony at SWIHA and during opening meditation at the Yoga Family Night at Laveen Elementary School. I practiced moon salutation while hiking, at my desk, before bed, upon waking. This sequence was so easy for me to memorize and move through with my breath. This must be what sun salutation feels like for other people. 

I only listened to my recording of this sequence once. I trusted that my higher Self held onto the intention and I focussed on being in the moment with my body and my surroundings. I listened to the birds and the wind rather than my voice. 

As I start looking at April's cards and considering what that practice looks like, I realize my work in March was preparing me for April. April's archetype is the addict. This March practice around embracing my power as a healer, strengthening boundaries, and weaving my home was the prep work for dealing with my addictions. This realization validates for me the beauty in just trusting the process. I didn't know where this March practiced was headed. My ego was distracted by February's Advocate practice, thinking that I was embodying the healer in order to support others. I'm reminded I don't always need to know the why or the destination, I just trust the process and enjoy the journey.