Grief is a natural and normal response to loss — but we do not FEEL normal while grieving. Anything but! We can be easily overwhelmed by surprising, unsettling changes in ourselves and in our world. Grief is not just sadness or other emotions; it is an all-encompassing experience that profoundly affects us in body, mind and spirit.
Yoga and writing can be especially helpful during this difficult time because both fully engage body, mind, and spirit. Woven together as complementary practices, they quickly invite discovery and healing on a profound level.
How does this work?
Grief throws us off balance
Yoga strengthens balance, in body and mind
Writing restores balance as we give voice to the full spectrum of our experience
Grief takes our breath away
Yoga helps us to breathe with awareness and freedom
Writing, like breath, helps us take in what is around us and bring forth what is within us
Grief causes stress reactions in the body
Yoga enables physical relaxation and reduces physical reactivity
Writing engages the body’s natural “relaxation response,” releasing calming chemicals
Grief is often repressed
Yoga facilitates recognition and release of emotions that get stored in the body
Writing allows us to vent, to let go, to say what has been held back
Grief constricts our world and our thinking
Yoga invites stretching and opening, awareness of the truth of body and mind
Writing allows us to see things in a new way, opening up new possibilities
Grief is unpredictable and out of our control
Yoga practices control while encouraging us to let go and flow with whatever is happening
Writing creates a sense of order from chaos
Grief disrupts our sense of safety
Yoga mat is a safe place as we focus on the present moment through breath and movement
Writing creates a safe place for our grief to land; the journal is always there for us
Grief changes us in ways we don’t like, causing self-judgement and self-criticism
Yoga practices non-judgement, self-compassion, self-acceptance
Writing fosters self-understanding which leads to self-compassion
Grief disconnects us from who we are and what we love
Yoga uncovers for us the connection to our deepest selves: body, mind and spirit
Writing connects us to what is lost, to what still matters, to something larger than our pain
Grief is painful; healing requires both moving into and moving away from the pain
Yoga practices listening to body so that we know when to move in, when to move away
Writing allows us to delve deeply into the pain and also provides times of surprising respite
This is not just a theory, it is something magical I witness every time I facilitate a Gentle Yoga & Journaling Retreat with yoga therapist SAM Sather of Dogwood Studio. These twice-yearly retreats offer anyone coping with loss the chance to experience first-hand the healing power of yoga and writing, in the company of others who “get it.”
But don’t take my word for it. Here is what past participants have said:
"I didn't realize how much I was holding inside. Being able to release thoughts & emotions through journaling, yoga, & quiet reflection was something I needed.”
"I really appreciated having a space that was intentionally focused on loss. It was a rare opportunity to be with others who were also there with that.”
"The Yoga sessions with SAM were very relaxing. The writing sessions with Mitzi brought so many emotions to the surface for me.”
“It was not intimidating, which was welcoming for a newcomer.”
"I appreciated having the opportunity to identify a concrete step forward.”
Join us for our next retreat!
Finding Your Balance, Catching Your Breath:
A Gentle Yoga & Journaling Retreat To Help Move Through Loss
Saturday, September 21, 1:00-5:30pm
Dogwood Studio in Carrboro, NC
To visit Mitzi’s website and this blog go to https://www.mitziquint.com/thoughts-on-healing-1
