Vagus Nerve Yoga: Glimmers to Glows

This glimmers to glows class is about taking time to appreciate small signs of beauty and kindness, These moments can feel insignificant in contrast to the enormity of the pain of the world.
Nonetheless, it is through our willingness to take in these positive moments—it is our willingness to receive the small signs of goodness in this hurting world that ultimately can carry us forward in the face of the despair or helplessness we might feel.

Today’s practice is about the sacred pause—it is an invitation for your to nourish yourself with the glimmers of sweetness and light that are around you should you be so willing to take it all in. Doing so, might just change your life.

My glimmer this week is the arrival of my new book, Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga book. The book can be ordered on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Applied-Polyva...

or on Norton here: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324030...

Deb Dana’s applied polyvagal theory invites you to take in the glimmers and turn them into glows. She says that glimmers are the opposite of triggers. They are micro-moments that helps us to feel anchored in a sense of safety, connection, ease, and hopefulness for the future.

Take some time to find glimmers:
• What brings you joy? When do you feel most connected to yourself? Can you recall a time when you have felt seen, heard, understood, and validated? When do you feel at ease? Can you recall times that you have felt loved, protected, peaceful, empowered? What are you grateful for?
Turn your Glimmers into Glows:
• Pause and savor positive moments. Give yourself permission to feel joy. Nurture yourself by spending at least 20-30 seconds focusing on the positive feeling.

Take a live class with Dr. Arielle Schwartz: https://drarielleschwartz.com/therape...

Poem from today:

Invitation By Mary Oliver
Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy
and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles
for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,
or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air
as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine
and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude—
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,
do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.
It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.

#Drarielleschwartz
#somatictherapy #somatic yoga
#therapeuticyoga #polyvagaltheory
#vagusnerve