resting stress face

Well, we finally made it to Toronto.

And with all the stress in the lead up to our departure (household norovirus and mandatory negative LFTs for travel), I thought it would be sensible for me to treat myself to a hot stone massage and a facial immediately after we arrived.

My massage was lovely, but the facial treatment was next level...

As my therapist went through the skin routine, there came a point where she was rubbing cream into my face for a long time and then I realised I was getting a FACE MASSAGE! It was unexpected and brilliant.

After my treatment I thanked her and said I didn't realise how much I needed it. To which she said,

"Yup, we all have stressed out faces."

Oh. My face is stressed out. My jaw feels tight, my brows are usually slightly furrowed and my eyes are tired.

Of course we have stressed out faces! It makes complete sense. We are living in a particularly intense time.

Embodiment practices, like yoga asana, are super helpful in supporting our health and wellbeing.

Our bodies and our minds aren't separate. What we experience in our mental and emotional states has a direct impact on our bodies.

When you're happy, there's a spring in your step.

When you're nervous, you have butterflies in your stomach.

When you're sad, your heart feels heavy.

When you're stressed, your body feels tight and tense.

In using our embodied practices, our awareness is directed into our bodies where we can feel into the sensations. These sensations provide information and it's up to you what to do with this information. It's empowering.

We can't think our way out of heartbreak. We can be with it, feel it, move it, transform it to create more space and freedom in our bodies, hearts and minds.

No doubt, it's courageous work. And we have the opportunity to do it in the community.