The Perils of Cleaning

As we delve into the February practice of spring cleaning and preparing our soil for an abundant summer, it’s important to acknowledge that the journey of mental and physical clearing isn’t always a smooth sail. Much like a thorough house clear-out, things often seem to get messier before clarity emerges.

Some of the practices and sequences that we’re working on this month can seem a little bit more esoteric. This is because we are not only working with the physical body, but our energetic, emotional, and intellectual bodies too. The ancient yogis called these layers of being ‘Koshas’. I am happy to share a lot more on this if people are interested, but for us and our regular practice, it doesn’t really matter if you subscribe to yoga philosophy or not, we’re just approaching this work with an open mind and enjoying the process as much as we can.

However, because they work on many layers they can be quite powerful and stir the pot a little bit more than usual. If things start to surface that’s good because it means the cleaning is working.. but it isn’t always comfortable.

So, here are some thoughts on this and how to navigate your way through.

One of my Dru Tutors offered a useful insight into this process: Imagine discovering a beautiful old mirror in your attic, but it’s concealed beneath a lifetime’s worth of dirt and grime. Anything that landed on it stuck and obscured your true reflection, leaving behind only a murky shadow.

The temptation is to take a deep breath and vigorously blow away the accumulated dust, longing to uncover your true self (reflection) swiftly. However, this hasty approach often results in a cloud of dust engulfing you, leaving you covered in the remnants of the past and feeling pretty grubby about it.

I like this analogy as it reminds us we can’t clear a lifetime’s worth of stuff away all at once but that our true self (our reflection) will be revealed to us a little bit at a time,

This is why gentle clearing is how we are going to roll this month, so be kind to yourself, especially if you have a lot going on currently in your life at the moment.

Having said all that – here’s what you can do if you do feel a little bit more unsettled than usual:

Step 1: Be an Investigator, Not a Believer

Rather than buying into the stories/emotions that come, become an investigator into your inner workings. Notice the emerging story or thought loop without attaching meaning to it. Try and step away and observe, For example: “After that practice, I felt uneasy or noticed a flood of ‘I’m not good enough’ thoughts. How interesting…”

Sometimes, it’s not just thoughts but emotions that surface. Different areas of our bodies store different emotions, and as we work through the physical practices, emotional release can occur. Recognise and acknowledge these emotions without judgment or perhaps even wondering what they relate to – again, just let them surface and release.

Step 2: Support yourself in this process

These techniques can help:

• Nature Walk: Step outside for a walk without your phone. The act of walking aids in processing thoughts and feelings. Observe the horizon, the birds, and orient yourself in space.
• Earthing: Take off your shoes and stand/walk on some soft ground. Earthing is a proven technique that can help bring your system back into balance. If standing feels a little bit redundant, take a mindful walk, or practice techniques like the vertical alignment breath to tap into your inner knowing and the support of the Universe.
• Rest in Crocodile Pose for 10+ minutes: Connect with your diaphragm as you breathe, and let any negative thoughts or emotions release into the floor beneath you.
• Community Support: Reach out to me, or the group if you need additional support. Share your experiences and see how everyone else is doing.

Remember, this journey is a process of understanding and empowering yourself. Embrace the messiness, stay present, and trust that the clearing process will lead to newfound clarity and a sense of calm. You’ve got this.

Please do get in touch if I can help.

With love, Claire x