The Art Of Letting Go

Letting go is something we often all struggle with, in so many ways. In our relationships, in our relationship with self, with our feelings, physical and emotional attachment to people, places, objects, holding onto behavioural patterns or negative thinking, perhaps a habit or activity that no longer serves us. It’s normal, human nature, to be stuck in our ways and it’s often the path of least resistance that is easier, the one that allows us to continue on as we were. When we are stuck in a thought pattern or negative behaviour cycle, it can feel heavy, unsafe, and imbalanced. Often it can be hard to shift this, even if we are aware subconsciously it’s not necessarily serving us any longer. However, as humans, as ever-evolving beings, we need to continue to push the boundaries and push ourselves to do the work to be our best selves, and to serve others and ourselves. And part of that, part of life, is letting go. 

In Yin Yoga we talk about seasons and letting go is associated with the Autumn season. Think of it as shedding, mimicking Mother Nature in her season of letting go. Imagine a tree; the same way the trees shed their leaves, we, as humans can do that with anything we need to let go of too. No matter what it is, we have the power to let go. Letting go of the feeling, the experience, the regret, resentment, the anger, the hurt to make space for the flow to heal, regenerate, renew, and revitalize. It's a form of rebirth. And as with everything, we find beauty. It doesn’t take much to notice the beautiful colours of Autumn, highlighting that letting go can be beautiful too. 

Letting go is a very Yin-like characteristic. As you know, Yin Yoga allows us to release, shed, process, and blossom. Yin Yoga allows us to move through physical and emotional sensations and with each movement, release. As with any season, or life cycle, there are periods of loss and periods of growth that require specific work pending what is coming up, however, a regular Yin Yoga practice, such as Abi’s PJ Yoga allows us to regulate and process anything we need to let go of on a daily basis, which by developing this practice serves us in more ways than we know. Rather than waiting for things to fall apart, or something to build up significantly that we need to let go of, it allows us to check in with ourselves daily and shed any heaviness upon us. The power in daily practice is immeasurable, we create new cells in our body each day and by carving out a daily ritual of Yin Yoga, we keep our bodies, our heart space and our energy balanced - each exhale is a form of letting go. Without a daily check-in, stuck, persistent energies in the mind or body continue to take up space and can potentially create inflammation through imbalance.

In the same way when we go to sleep we shut off and allow our bodies and our minds to process, heal and rejuvenate, we completely let go of anything from the day that no longer serves us

8 ways to shift your perception and let go:

• Acknowledge
  Acknowledge what is coming up, and remember that what we resist, persists. By acknowledging it, we remove some of its power and it allows us to shift gears.

• Love yourself
  Look at your beautiful self in the mirror, place your hand upon your heart and feel the beat transcend through. You are amazing, love yourself for you, for the person you were, the person you are and the person you are becoming. Commit to loving yourself and commit to part of that love ensuring you let go of anything, no matter how small, that doesn’t serve you to be your best, most beautiful self.

• Surrender
  Surrender to what is and what will be. This is a chance for you to sit with your breath. Incorporating a daily breathwork ritual into your routine, is where the transformation lies and you’ll find it easier to surrender.
  
  

• Be still
  As we know, in stillness we can hear, and we can find the answers. By carving out time to tune into what you need, what serves you, and what will help you on your journey of transformation, you hear things. Your body and mind have all the answers, you just need to listen.

• Acceptance
  In the same way, we acknowledge what is coming up, we also must accept it. Accept that we are on the path we are on for a reason, and look for the lessons, the beauty, and the silver linings. Look for the opportunity for growth at every crossroads. Accept that feelings, thought patterns, and emotions; they are all part of our journey and we know within us the ones that serve us and the ones that don’t.
  

• Be courageous
  Be courageous in your plight of letting go, it can feel scary and unsafe to let go of things. But, on the other side of fear is freedom, the release from anything that doesn’t serve you. Be courageous in feeling the fear and being brave enough to push through. Remember, what we go through we grow through, even when it feels particularly scary.

• Get physical
  Move your body! Regular practice of daily Yin Yoga allows you to physically, energetically and emotionally release. Try committing to 21 days (the amount of time it takes to form a habit!) of PJ Yoga with Abi and check in with how it feels, notice the shift in your energy your emotions and the ease in being able to go within and source what needs to be let go.

• Gratitude
  As we have spoken about many a time in The Journal, gratitude is the key to everything. When letting go, it is imperative to acknowledge all the goodness in our life. Whatever practice you engage in to let go of what no longer serves you, also take a moment to practice gratitude and journal, or say out loud, everything you are grateful for and what is serving you. 

Letting go doesn’t have to be a big, scary, fearful thing, it can be a daily check-in, a self-regulation if you will. And continuing to acknowledge and process our feelings, thoughts and emotions when they arise, it allows us to flow through life better, and more evenly keeled. And remember, you are doing an incredible job, just by showing up and putting in the work. After all, we’re all a work in progress.