by guest author Kate Southward, Yogi’s Basket
At the beginning of Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake of King Kong there’s a scene where the savage natives tie up damsel-in-distress Naomi Watts as an offering. Then they bash repeatedly on a 3-meter wide gong calling to the beast to come and take his fill.
The reverberating gong is haunting, loud and penetrating, as the sprinting monster smashing through the forest gets closer and closer to collect his prize.
Eighteen months ago, I was that savage native, bashing on the gong and screaming at the universe –
Bring me yoga!
So, as Peter Jackson so beautifully portrayed it, be very careful what you wish for.
Within six months I had moved half way around the world, changed careers, started new friendships and signed up for a 500 hour teacher training that would normally be taught separately as a Level 1 200 hours, and then a later Level 2 300 hour course.
People were seriously concerned.
I was called crazy, ‘gung-ho’, a bit nuts, foolish, impatient, a silly girl – and it definitely couldn’t be done.
I was lucky enough to do my teacher training with Mr Yoga Coach, Aussie Mark Breadner, the undisputed yoga education guru. Through several emails, phone calls and long winded diatribes about ‘why’, I managed to persuade Mark to let me do the full 500 hours in one year, rather than over the normal two years.
Label it the Air element in me.
I like to keep busy. After meditating regularly for two years I can safely say the number one thing I have noticed is that once I get an idea clear in my mind about what I want, very little (nothing!) gets in the way of my achieving that.
I haven’t always been this way!
Before the days of a more regular practice I could be indecisive, uncommitted, complaining, vague, untrusting and sceptical. The practice gave me support, like a new pair of shoelaces in worn out leather shoes, things started coming back together.
From the 1st of June to the 7th of November I worked my full time job in Publishing and practiced yoga nearly every night and all weekend – with the allowance of 3 weekends off. Two of which I had commitments to travel overseas for a work conference and a milestone family birthday. Work travel and family occasions – unfortunately not restorative breaks.
Perhaps you’ve got a project coming up, something on the cards that’s worrying you exactly how you’re going to make it all happen and come up trumps?
Here’s my top six tips on how to make it through, frontal lobe intact.
1. Cut out any unnecessary suffering.
When I really sat back and looked at my life, I could safely attest that 95% of the things I regretted happening, the ‘doh!’ moments I wished I could take back, revolved around my abuse of alcohol. So I decided to take a six month detox off the booze.
It’s been SO good not drinking, dealing with hangovers, using every minute of my weekend and not spending all of Sunday behind dark curtains drinking slushees, I doubt I’ll be going back.
Your suffering could be different to mine, perhaps a non supportive ‘un’ friend or ‘un’ partner that could disappear for a while?… ever?
2. Start a vision board of your big audacious dream
Right the way through the six months I was adding to my now 3 meter wide, 80cm deep vision board.
A myriad of mentors, inspiring words, yoga studio space, blogs, books, products, plants, views, and locations. It is an inspiring and thoroughly therapeutic activity and I highly recommend the process. Although god forbid a man ever enters my bedroom again. Shame!
3. Sustain a regular meditation practice.
20 minutes in the morning, 20 minutes at night. Resolve to sit in the chair. Pranayama if you know it.
This was the lynch pin of my wellness – that time of day that I was getting more rest than when I was asleep. It was a restorative, quiet, reflective, coming back to myself from the din of crazy town.
If everyone could meditate, the world would be such a different place.
4. Seek out your real sangha
As far as I can see one of the most beautiful things to come out of western yoga teacher trainings is new friendships made. In yoga, good company, the ‘sangha’ is held above all else. Having an authentic, true friend to reach out to in a time of need is worth more to me today than anything I own, or thought I possess.
When you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed, it’s no use sitting with it yourself, you need to share the energy and be grateful for the support.
5. Eat well
Shop online or dedicate time each week to getting to the supermarket to purchase fresh whole food.
Every morning I would indulge myself with a 100% fresh vege juice (Spinach, celery, beetroot, carrot, mint, ½ green apple), chia seed porridges, fresh salads, baked salmon, grainy seed bread, sweet potato, dark chocolate, alkaline water.
I felt strong for eating well, and making conscious choices about my eating helped me keep on the path.
6. Be so f**king kind to yourself you could cry
Ninety minute Thai massages, pedicures, manicures, a new piece of clothing, popcorn and choc top at the movies, sitting up with the full moon writing notes to the universe, skyping long distance loved ones, making time for old friends, going out to new restaurants, writing, creating music playlists, sending presents and elaborate birthday cards..
Figure out whatever it is that gets you back in the flow and as soon as you feel yourself turning to seed, some niggly issue gossiping in your ear, use treats to bring you back to your practice.
Tough love might work with a puppy, but it doesn’t work when we’re working on ourselves.
Take it from one that’s experienced the dreaded sling back effect, when you can’t sustain the ‘this is how it HAS to be’ expectations of old friend mind. When you’re working way outside your comfort zone, it’s better to be kind to yourself to keep the candle burning at both ends rather than get out your cane stick.
Look, I’m not going to say that there weren’t a few days where I thought I might slap someone in the face – there were – but the practices above certainly soothed the soul and helped me cross the finish line in one piece, although quite a different, hopefully wiser and evolved piece than went in.
I implore you, make up your mind about what you want – and I guarantee you, it most certainly can be done.
About Kate:
New Zealander Kate Southward is the curator and founder of Yogi’s Basket, a holistic wellness & yoga magazine inspiring access to ‘the good life’.
A 500 hour Yoga Alliance accredited teacher, Kate was mentored by Australia’s Yoga Education Guru Mark Breadner. An intuitive teacher, she believes to overcome stress in modern day life we need to rest down and let in.
Follow Kate’s wisdom @ Yogi’s Basket or Facebook or Twitter
Very inspiring! Thank you for sharing your journey!
Thank you Sandra, greatly appreciated. Love Kate x
Amazing article Kate. I dont know how you did it all in 6 months – well i do know how since you have just told us but it is still admirable. You will definately be able to help out your students who complain about having no time for the important things!
Thanks for the feedback Roopi. A lot of people I know struggle with glorifying busyness.. The last 6 months has taught me the importance of resting down and letting in, I hope to share that knowledge with my students. Love Kate xx
What an inspiring story and I’m sure under many pressures from people who don’t understand ‘getting off the booze’
Thanks Jess 🙂 Often I am reminded by Dr Seuss’ famed quote “Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” This helped me with the boozers! Check out my article on tips to cut back http://ow.ly/fyhee xxx
Wow Kate, you are a true inspiration! All of your 6 tips resonate with me and just make sense!! Thank you for sharing your story. You have inspired me to make meditation a priority and start a vision board. I look forward to hearing about your journey over the next 6 months!! : )
Thanks Anna! Vision boarding is seriously the bomb. Meditation though is the end game – resolve to sit in the chair!! Enjoy your practice, thanks for the follow xxx
After just having completed a teacher training myself, I totally related to this article … and that’s just for a 200hr + 30hr course! Thanks for sharing – worthy tips to help those teacher trainees / deadline projects out there. Great reminder for myself on how to stay sane on a daily basis too.
Thanks for the feedback Charmaine xox
An incredibly inspiring read! I’ve suffered from a lot of stress at work lately – and reading this has given me a bit of a plan to focus on for a while. Inside and outside detox… I hope I have a journey like yours!
We are all on our own journeys Jenna, one persons will look very different to another’s… Stress is a silent sucker of energy, I know all about it! Come back to the practice, back to what brings you to wellbeing – BE kind to yourself! Lv Kate xxx
I have often looked at yoga teacher training but been concerned with completing them. Your trips really resonate with me and I am excited as I embark on my own yoga teacher training journey knowing I have these tools to hand, so thank you for sharing x
Aww fantastic Georgina! Best of luck on your journey, lv Kate xo
Amazing Kate!!! A true inspiration! xxxx
Thank you xoxo
Your article has come at the most perfect time for me. I have four weeks to complete a project that has almost killed me. Maybe I need it to kill me? The me that has been struggling with and through it so far has done me few favours other than give me the tenacity not to give up.
I have been using Yoga Lunchbox to motivate me to meditate each morning… at this stage I wake up with enough nervous energy and adrenaline in my body to fuel a small NZ town. I guess yoga teaching training is by its very purpose includes meditation and all that is good for the body. My project is the exact opposite, no meditation and everything that is destructive of the body. So meditation and yoga are saviors outside this though I would like to bring the principles of both into my daily work and your article has reminded to do so.
p.s. In other words, THANK YOU!