“You are worth the quiet moment. You are worth the deeper breaths and you are worth the time it takes to slow down, be still, and rest.”
Happy New Year my dear Friends!
After a long hiatus from writing and being in touch, I wanted to step into this new year by reconnecting with you and sharing what have been on my mind lately and what I have been working on.
I have stepped into the new year very Grateful but at the same time uninspired and rather feeling flat. That sense of new energy, hope and new possibilities every new year brings, wasn't what I have felt in these first few days. And there was no particular reason to feel this way.
On the contrary, I have everything one can wish for and my 2022 was beautiful and amazing on all fronts, professionally and personally. Yet, a quiet emptiness snuck into my heart space. I sat with it this morning searching for answers... and came to a conclusion that I have felt this way because it's that time of the year when my brother would come and visit us here in our home, in Dubai. That tradition was abruptly stopped when Covid marched in 3 years ago. My parents have been long gone, my other brother had too passed away years back, so having my older brother was that deepest and oldest connection with my family roots. I realised how much I miss planning our annual gatherings, trips, celebrations and so much more. To have something to look forward to is energising, inspiring and motivating. It keeps us going.
It gives our lives meaning.
So, feeling very uninspired and unmotivated, after dropping off my kids to school this morning, I put on my running shoes on. Didn't feel like it, but did it anyways. After 60 minutes of a high intensity workout, and lots of sweat, the veil of dullness has lifted and I felt motivation and inspiration seeping into my heart's space. "Yes, i knew it!" I cheered inside of myself loving that I could help myself out of that dullness.
A new rush of creative energy started to pour into every cell of my body. I was back.
The moral of the story is this: You are your own source of inspiration. Infinite & unlimited source of fulfilment is within you. It is not in your job, it is not in your marriage, your kids, your house, your car, your family. It is within YOU!
Because once you get that perfect job, marry that perfect husband, have those amazing kids, live in a house of your dreams....that all is great and you should always be grateful for it, but that (and they) will not keep you happy and inspired forever and on daily basis. We ( humans) are just not wired that way. However, you alone, have the potential to tap into that infinite source of fulfilment that is within you. By way of meditation, yoga practice, nature walks, exercising... or whatever brings you to that state, which feels hopeful, inspired, renewed and balanced at the same time. For me, it is being active, be it through yoga practice, running or similar activities. Gabrielle Roth, Founder of The 5 Rythms said
" Once your body surrenders to movement, your soul remembers its dance". And mine did, indeed.
Let this year be the year of self-love and self-care and remembering our souls' dance. And that self-care doesn't always ( if ever) mean getting massages, facials, bubble baths... it means loving yourself so much that you will consciously take the right steps to uplift, re-charge and nourish yourself, EVEN when you don't feel like it. And then, you can spend hours in that bubble bath, while eating grapes and finest chocolate, or get that relaxing massage... feeling so good and proud that you had overcome your own resistance, and that you and only you have the key to your own happiness and fulfilment.
Another way of self-care if to schedule in a yoga retreat. Below, I included what retreats I have coming up in March and June of this year.
Would love if you could join me.
Thank you deeply for your support, for following and participating in my yoga journey and offerings. I am grateful to have found my life's purpose and passion in studying and teaching yoga, and to be sharing it with you. It gives deeper and sweeter meaning to my life. Thank you.
Namaste and keep living an inspired life.
Danica
Exciting Upcoming Retreats in 2023
Yoga & Self Inquiry Retreat
Riskihesh & Hardiwar, India
March 18- March 23
6 days/5 nights
Join me on this spiritual trip into the heart of the birth place of yoga - Rishikesh, situated on the holy Ganges river and in the Himalayan foothills. Our days will be filled with twice daily yoga practice, meditation, visits to Beatles ashram, sunrise hikes to temples, holy ceremonies on Ganges river, visit to markets, water rafting and so much more.
Meet the Mountain Gorillas of Uganda!
Yoga, Gorillas & Wildlife Trekking
June 27-July 2
Uganda, Bwindi Forrest
A bucket list trip!
One that we all will remember for a lifetime. The itinerary has been carefully crafted to allow time for nature hikes, national parks, ample time with chimpanzees and gorillas and yoga to start and end our days. This is a limited people trip due to small number of Bwindi Forest National Park permits available.
In other news and some inspiration
New Classes -Those of you who live in Dubai, will now have the opportunity to practice with me in additional location, in Media City, as Zoga opens its second studio. Stay tuned for timings and days of my new classes.
https://zoga.ae
Books I loved- I am an avid reader of mainly yoga, inspirational and self-development books. Recently I read "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. Do yourself a favour and read this book! It is inspirational, practical, useful and beautifully written.
https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
Podcasts that moved me: I am in the car a lot, driving from class to class or taking my kids to/from school and activities, so podcasts are my road companion. This one inspired me beyond words, and I promise you will love it too. Link below to listen and enjoy.
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