Ways to Stay Strong

Years ago I was taught some yoga and dance exercises. I try to do them every morning. For you dedicated change makers here, I thought you might enjoy knowing them. Let’s share the ways we stay strong.

To our Ancestresses

The Four Directions

To the East

I turn to the East, raise my arms in celebration, breathe in the air, allowing myself time to take a deep breath, filling every cell of my body with oxygen, opening my mind to my thoughts. I reach down for the earth, placing my hands flat on the ground, stretching my back upward, letting the tension leave me into the earth.

To the South

I turn to the South and raise my arms breathing in fire, the light, the warmth and strength of our Sun. Her power so strong, her warmth filling me with energy, feeding my fire within. I reach down to the earth as I let her strength flow through me.

To the West

I turn to the West, raise my arms, feeling water washing over my body in a waterfall, allowing me to feel all of my emotions, deep into my pores, all I am holding in my heart. I breath in the joy, let go of the pain. I let the water cleanse and heal me. A moment to rest and heal.

To the North

I turn to the north, our planet Earth. I raise my arms to the sky in gratitude for this life, feeling my feet steady and strong on the Earth, our Mother, our Home. I place my hands flat on the ground. I thank her for this chance to be alive and ask for help in staying grounded.

These simple movements, taught in various ways by Indigenous leaders, yoga teachers and many of us as we have learned them, help keep us strong and able to do what we do. May we all find ways to take care of ourselves along the way. Let’s share the ways we stay strong.