Santosha

Written By Lisa Vratny-Smith

This week the Niyama we are exploring is Santosha, typically translated as contentment. Santosha is about practicing contentment with or acceptance of the present moment without striving for something different or wishing it away. On the mat we can practice by honoring our bodies as they are with gentleness and kindness and releasing judgement and expectations. Off the mat we can practice through being mindful of our consumption, desire to have more, or to reach whatever version of perfect we hold in our minds. It can be acknowledging the glimmers of light and joy amidst difficulty and holding that as our truth in the moment.

I have had a quote by Thich Nhat Hanh hanging in my workspace for many years that says, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” It reminds me to look up when I am bogged down by stress, worry, and darkness in the world to acknowledge all that I do have in the moment, allowing my inner smile to arise and bring me peace.

As today is the anniversary of 9/11 and comes on the heels of yet another day of violence in our communities, the concept of practicing contentment can feel a bit like sticking our heads in the sand. However, santosha is not about denying what is true and real, it is about maintaining our equilibrium in the face of it.

Please join me this weekend on the mat for Saturday Morning Yoga as we practice meeting our bodies with lovingkindness and contentment moment by moment.

Early Bird pricing ends 9/15 for The Short Course in Mindful Self-Compassion via Zoom on Sunday afternoons. In this 6 session course you will learn to use the skills of mindfulness to develop the inner resource of self-compassion and enhance your capacity for emotional wellbeing. Early Bird pricing is available through September 15. More course details are available below and on my website. 12 hours of CEs available. I will also be offering the full MSC course over 10 weeks through the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Continuing Education on Tuesday evenings beginning October 7. More information on registration will be coming soon.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for an in person Winter Solstice Mini-Retreat for Rest & Renewal on December 20 from 3-5 PM at Harmonist Sanctuary, Denver.

EDUCATORS! Registration is open for next summer’s Mindfulness Retreat for Educators. Space is limited, so sign up early!

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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