Opportunities for gratitude

Written By Lisa Vratny-Smith

Hello Friends!

I experienced a bit of a set back last weekend when I broke my ankle walking down the sidewalk, go figure! It was a truly bizarre and freak accident that seems unbelievable. As I reflect on the experience I am incredibly grateful for my family in getting me to medical care, the privilege of having access to that care and to health insurance, and that I am able to rest and heal without worrying about working at this phase of my life. It is also a reminder that we must continue to fight for everyone to have access to quality medical care, not just those of us privileged enough to be able to afford it.

I shared with my Mindful Self-Compassion class last night that I had a bit of an ah-ha moment as I processed the experience. In the past when an accident of this kind occurred, my inner critic would roar to life blaming me in very unkind language for the accident. What I noticed was that did not occur. I was in pain and frustrated, using some choice curse words to express myself, but I didn’t beat myself up or spiral into catastrophic thinking. The years I have spent practicing mindfulness and self-compassion have created a stronger neural pathway than the old pattern that I grew up with. This is yet another opportunity for me to be grateful for these practices and the privilege I have had to learn them and share them with others.

I have been exploring my yoga practice with the protective boot and will be offering a modified version of Saturday Morning Yoga this weekend via Zoom at 8:30 AM MT. Please join me as we show up for ourselves on the mat and care for ourselves with lovingkindness.

Unfortunately, due to mobility and driving restrictions I have cancelled my Full Moon Sound Bath this Saturday, February 28. Tuesday March 3 is a Virgo Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse, the third of a trio of Blood Moon Eclipses that began last March. It continues the energy of releasing what no longer serves us and simplifying things in and around our lives. A focus on our health and well-being is also part of this energy - a bit ironic for me with my newly broken ankle! You can read more about this eclipse as well as the impact of Mercury retrograde at Forever Conscious.

It is hard to believe that the Spring Equinox is only a few weeks away! Sign up now for my Spring Renewal Afternoon Retreat on March 28 from 3-5 PM at Harmonist Sanctuary.

There are still a few spaces available in this summer’s Mindfulness Retreat for Educators, June 13-17 at Drala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. Space is limited, so sign up soon!

COMING SOON! I will be offering the Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion this spring. SCMSC is a 6 week adaptation of the full MSC course where you will learn to use the skills of mindfulness to develop the inner resource of self-compassion and enhance your capacity for emotional wellbeing. Tuesdays May 5 - June 9, 6-7:30 PM via Zoom.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Remember to check out the FTBW Gear page and order your Finding the Balance Within, LLC logo gear. I love mine! Get yours and join the fun!

I would love to offer you an individual or group Reiki and/or Sound Healing session to support your own wellness journey. Contact me for scheduling options - lisa@findingthebalancewithin.com. Gift certificates to share with others are also available.

As always feel free to practice with previous recordings of Saturday Morning Classes as well as Evening Chair Yoga on my Youtube channel.You may also enjoy a growing variety of meditations I have available on the Insight Timer app that you can access for free, the latest is a Chakra Clearing Sound Bath. I’d appreciate your offering a rating on the meditations as well. Additionally, my friend Kate continues to offer live online classes Monday and Wednesday mornings from katekelly.yoga.

May you be safe, may you be happy, may you be healthy, may you live with ease. ~ Lisa ♥️

Lisa Vratny-Smith
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