Wow! It’s February. Can you believe it? Where did January go?
I welcome February though, for February is the month of love. It’s also my birthday month. With both those things in mind, it’s time to chat about love and spread it around.
Did you know that love, or–as it is more often called in yoga–“loving kindness” is the very first part of the practice of yoga?
In that regard, did you know that yoga is about more than just making fancy shapes with your body?
If you’ve been around me enough, you probably do know that, but for those that don’t and to remind those who do, there are 8 limbs of yoga and the physical poses are the 3rd limb. The first limb is called the Yamas, and I like to think of them as “ways you should treat the world and every being in it.” If you want to learn more about all 8 limbs, let me know. (For now, if you want to learn about the last 3 limbs specifically, you can do so with my online workshop by clicking here.)
The first of the Yamas is Ahimsa which means “loving kindness.”
I love that Ahimsa comes first above all else. And I think it is really important to note and to emphasize. By putting it first, yoga says that no matter what you do, act with loving kindness in the world. It even comes before honesty. I, of course, believe you absolutely should practice both, but I think putting Ahimsa first says a lot.
Be kind, first and foremost above all else.
It really is that simple.
And why not? Why not be kind? It really goes a long way, which may be cliche to say, but it is true.
I used to work at a marine station where you had to take a boat every day to and from work. One of the security guys was always driving the boat. The maintenance guys were always around. I loved talking to them. They had interesting stories to tell about their past careers, their grandchildren, their passions. I know it meant a lot to them that I listened, as they often thanked me and even introduced me to their families when they would come to the island to visit. Whenever I could I took the time to chat and I genuinely loved talking with them. Whenever I was in a hurry, I kindly explained why and they understood.
Some other scientists out at the marine station, however, were not so nice. I watched a few of them seem to look down upon the guys, never chatting with them, always being curt and sometimes a little rude.
Now, I talked with the guys because I really enjoyed it and it is my nature to smile and be nice and show loving kindness without thinking too much about it. Sometimes though, it’s really apparent what a big difference it makes.
Whenever I was in a pinch and needed to get on or off the island at a weird time–something you really weren’t supposed to do as the boats ran on a schedule at night and on weekends–the security guys would gladly accommodate. Whenever something broke in my lab, the maintenance guys fixed it right away. However, I often heard those other folks who were not so kind complaining about having to wait for the boat and missing something important with their experiment or putting in a work order and the work not getting done for 6 months.
Being loving and kind not only is good for the people who you share that kindness with, but it attracts loving kindness to you as well.
Since February is the month of love, bring a little extra consciousness to spreading love this month.
If my story above isn’t reason enough, then at least do so because it is my birthday wish this year–SPREAD LOVE!
Even if all you do is just remember to smile at people who pass you by, you have no idea how much of a difference that can make.
If you want to spread even more love though, for the whole month of February when you spread yoga or lomilomi love to a friend by referring them to me, if they book a session I’ll spread the love back to you by offering you your choice of a 30 minute lomilomi oil work session (if you’ve never experience oil work before, you’re in for a treat!), or a 30 minute restorative yoga session either as an add-on at the end of a regular yoga session or online (restorative yoga is very relaxing!) or a 30 minute guided meditation as an add-on or online. More info here!
Spread love, always in all the ways you can!
Gin