Have you every heard of the 2 arrows? It’s a Buddhist parable that allows insight into how we deal with suffering more skilfully. Being struck by one arrow that’s painful, but being struck by two arrows well that’s worse right. Things happen all the time, I spoke yesterday about how I could win every tennis match if the person at the other side of the net simply wasn’t there. But, if you start complaining, blaming yourself or worse still blame others, if you get angry for what’s happened you set off the second arrow.

So the pain of the second arrow can be a choice. Thich Nhat Hahn when asked about pain, despair and suffering answers beautifully. “The skill is how to lay down the burden in order to be light. Do not amplify your pain or exaggerate the situation.” I find it so interesting that the second arrow is not twice as painful but can be 10 times 20 times worse. You can watch his reply here.

On March 26th we will gather for the final time in this series of workshops. The theme this month is Compassion. We worked in January on reflection, taking note of how 2022 was, taking time to see how you needed to move forward. February was super powerful where we shifted out of habitual patterns of mindsets and behaviours. This third workshop will bring your learnings together and solidify all of this into Compassion for yourself. That’s where it all begins, happiness is an inside job.

The day will begin with a welcoming circle, we will then be together for a gentle Yoga Asana practice. Dr. Jane Uyger will then talk in depth about what compassion really is. The work she is doing in this field and share her research and insights on this topic.

Lisa Davies will then bring us her amazing food, which really is the most wonderful way to be together and round off the afternoon. The final places are available now and you can join us here.

Joining me in class this week –

Monday Eden One 12.20

Tuesday Eden One 7.30am & 11.30am

Wednesday YogaHub Camden Street 5pm

Online 7.30pm Evening Flow book in here

Thursday online 7pm WindDown Yoga book in here

Friday YogaHub Blackrock 6.15pm Flow

Saturday Herbert Park 11am Vinyasa flow under the Spring sky, book in here

For the days that feel overwhelming –

You’re a human being. In our quest to get everything completed, we’ve stopped hearing how we feel and what we need…. We’re on a conveyor belt, whirring around and around…..But we can press pause. We can. Really. Stopping doesn’t change our worth; we’re worthy whether we’re doing or not doing. The people who feel we’re not worthy when we stop, aren’t worthy of our attention, love or energy.

Pressing pause gives us that breather, that breath, that space to hear and heed what’s going on for us before we’re forced to stop, because nobody can keep on going without a break… You don’t deserve a break, you need one, guilt free. Some things in life can wait, but your health? Not so much. Take care, prioritise and protect.

Jayne Hardy, Kind Words for Unkind Days. A guide to surviving and thriving in difficult times.

So be kind to yourself and to one another

x Chris