Trust in the Wisdom
Last weekend I led an in-person retreat at Kripalu titled "Ayurveda for Insomnia."
Due to a family illness, my fierce co-teacher, Larissa Hall Carlson, had to bow out of the program less than 48 hours before launch. As a result, I was very nervous about delivering this program solo. I discussed my trepidation with Eric, who reminded me that nerves are always a part of my process, which meant that I care. He also offered that it was my first time leading an in person immersion training since COVID, and maybe I was nervous because I was rusty.
To me, it felt more than that. Larissa is an expert in all things Ayurveda. She is the former Dean of the Kripalu School of Ayurveda, an Ayurvedic Practitioner who tours the country and the internet, lecturing about this ancient system.
While I am not one to deem myself an "expert" in anything, I do have decades of study and teaching about all things yoga and anatomy related under my belt. In addition, I have led countless weekends, many of them solo, in Yoga Teacher Trainings around the country. As a result, I am comfortable on a stage in front of many people.
This weekend felt different because the stakes were so high. These beautiful people were suffering. Insomnia can wreak havoc on your health and well-being; many of them have not slept properly in years.
I have studied and integrated Ayurvedic knowledge into my lifestyle for several years. The Ayurvedic tools and recipes I've learned over these few years of study have healed me on many levels. I wholeheartedly trust its wisdom and the power to bring the human mind and body back into balance. So I trusted the learning and, importantly, my ability to show up with a pure heart and that intention.
What a wonderful weekend it was! I left on Sunday with a heart so full of appreciation and gratitude words would not do it justice.
Everyone in the room left with tools to help them down-regulate their nervous systems, practices to find restoration, and daily morning and evening routines that invited sleep.
In the words of one woman, "The panic is gone."
I recount this story to encourage every one of you, in any way, shape, or form, that imbalance manifests in your life; there is ancient wisdom in Yoga and Ayurveda to help you. Trust in the wisdom. Trust in the small voice inside of you that already knows the answer.
I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving week ahead.
Eric and I are off to Paris for the week!!! I couldn't be more grateful!
Tiger will hold down the Zoom fort for the week, including a Special Thanksgiving Day Twisting Practice to prepare you for your feast!
With so much gratitude for each one of you,
Kari