The Stuff of Dreams...

Apparently Paul McCartney wrote the song 'Yesterday' in a dream... well it was the melody anyway! That's what we are told. The reason I've been reflecting on this is because I woke up recently with a phrase in my head, it had come to me in a dream and I'm not sure if it was someone singing it, or just reciting it. I don't even know who that someone was and everything faded so quickly from my memory when I awoke, but I made a point of remembering it. "Wrapped in a cloak of empathy" - that was the phrase. I have no idea what deep recesses of my brain this came from but it certainly evoked a feeling in me. It made me think that this is exactly how I'd like my clients and class members to feel. Not suffocated and stifled, not overwhelmed, but gently wrapped in a cloak of empathy.

I think this is especially true for my one to one clients as many of them have been through the mill with various life challenges and each one has shown such strength and courage and I often feel completely humbled by working with them. Expressing and feeling empathy towards people I work with, feels as important as the practical movement based aspects.

To know someone holds space for you - is not feeling pity, but is sitting alongside you with quiet and unwavering support is priceless. This is what I try to do - not to fix people, but to guide and show tools and practices which could alleviate some suffering. I have a long way to go with this work and there is always room for improvement. Yoga can be such a powerful framework for deep healing, often this is missed by the way yoga is presented in social media. I do worry sometimes people might be put off by the media image of yoga these days. Doing your research is key - finding the right person to help you learn more about yourself through yoga is so valuable. Not someone who makes wild claims and promises, but someone who can open a few doors for you...

To read more about my work see Yogi Claire Hatha Yoga