7 ways to get out of a slump and feel great

I've been wanting to write this piece for years and each time I want to begin, I didn't know what to say because I felt so great and couldn't write about getting out of a slump if I wasn't in one. Then when I was going through a slump, I thought I couldn't offer any inspiration or motivation and just generally felt bad for not being a happy person. So, I thought STOP it. This is it. I'm busy getting out of a slump right now and this is the best time to share. Maybe someone out there needs to hear this or even better, I can read this in future and remind myself how to feel better. It's more important for me to be true and authentic anyways. 

So here goes:

SEVEN WAYS TO GET OUT OF A SLUMP AND FEEL GREAT

1. MEDITATE

This word is equally overused & misunderstood as much a LOVE, GOD and COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.

How many times in my 'career' have people told me: "I can't meditate", or "I'm not good at meditation" and so they just never attempt it again. Or people think it's this unattainable magic only reserved for mountain goats of India, 80 year old yogis or Persian cats. When a person tells me "I don't have an hour to meditate" I usually reply with "then meditate for 2 hours". First of all, meditation is not complicated and you don't have to sit in terribly uncomfortable positions with your spine as stiff as a golf club. Secondly, honing your thoughts the way sheep dogs excitedly heard their sheep, is no easy task. Simple, but not easy. So chill. It's a practice. And thirdly, you can meditate in as short as 3 minutes and feel great. The magic I find with meditation is that even during times where I feel that I have absolutely zero time to sit still, but then do it, by some miracle I get things done faster, more effectively and end up with more time. 

Always wanted a 25hour day? Meditate.

Don't know where to start? Here is a video to help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VZuRMUYS2Q

2. MOVE YOUR BODY

Your body loves to move. Now, even though you're not your body, you guys are still in this together, so help each other out. As a yoga teacher, people think I get up at 6am, do my daily practice and bounce around town. Sooo far from the truth. Sometimes a few days go by without doing any kind of movement or activity and then when I do get back on my mat, it's like my body is crying tears of joy and shouting "YES". When I don't move, my body is unhappy, it gets stiff, it yearns and begs for some kind of movement. Do yoga, dance, climb, hike, walk, breathe, raise your arms over your head and stretch, roll around on the floor. Just move!

3. LISTEN TO SOMETHING POSITIVE THAT CHEERS YOU UP

Be it uplifting music, an inspirational podcast, a motivational video or whatever has put you in a good mood before. I like to listen to Abraham Hicks's Finding My Core Beliefs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P9Mu-KrFpI

4. LET'S GET DEEP MAN

Read non-fictional books that affect the spirit and make you think differently than mainstream society and helps you to go from a sheep to a sheep dog (lol). I recommend books by Ekhart Tolle, James Redfield, Richard Bach, Krishnamurti and so many more. 

5. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Seriously. When you're in a crap mood, it feels there is absolutely nothing to be grateful for. Why even live. But dig deep and just find ONE thing you're blessed with, and then find 2 more. And practice gratitude EVERYDAY. Finding things to be grateful for will become easier, you'll find more things faster and life will bring you more things to be grateful for. 

6. EAT WELL

Eat as if you actually give a damn. Put good stuff into your body. When one is going through a tough time, all your mind tells you it wants (even though you think your body craves it) is pizza, carbs, cheese, junkfood. Drink more water, let the feeling pass and eat something nutritional. 

7. SLEEP WELL

You'll wake up in the same mood you went to bed in. So make the effort to harvest good feelings. And after doing all the things above, let go and get a good night's rest. 

Count some sheep. Let go of the sheep. 






Photo credits go to:
2cherries Photography

I heart prAna!

I have been an ambassador of prAna for a year now and I absolutely love their clothes. As a full-time yoga instructor, I basically live in stretchy clothes. prAna makes it very easy and comfortable for me. I have the whole kit - a couple of gorgeous colourful yoga leggings, strappy tops (the type that I don't even have to wear a bra with, just WONDERFUL!), long sleeve top (for which I get so many compliments for) and a very beautiful and warm hoody.

There is a variety in material - the tops tend to be a relatively “slinky” poly blend, while the bottoms are thicker and more matte. I like the material of the tops for washability, lack of wrinkle when packing, and flow.

I usually run around all over Cape Town to get to my classes and well, in between I, ofcourse, like to grab a lunch or meet a friend or have a meeting and still look decent. Again, with my prAna, I have no worries. Oftentimes I leave straight after my evening class to grab dinner without having to worry about getting changed. prAna clothes make me feel cozy, confident and even ...sexy - my boyfriend thinks so ;)
Their clothes don’t scream “workout wear” so they are pretty easy to dress up for other purposes


In my personal, and professional opinion, I would definitely recommend prAna.
You can find prAna only at:
CityROCK Cape Town
CityROCK Johannesburg
www.cityrock.co.za
www.prana.com

From the website:
"Who we are
OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE HEALTHY, ACTIVE, AND FREE-SPIRITED LIVING.

When you reach into your closet, there should be something there that reflects who you are, how you feel, and what you value most. There should be something that you can put on in the morning and confidently wear all day long. Something you can throw in your bag and know will work for whatever your journey brings.

prAna is that something

We create versatile, stylish, and sustainable clothing and accessories that you can wear during every activity, every adventure, every day. How do we know? Because we base our designs on our own experiences. You see we’re more than makers, we’re doers—yogis, climbers, and world travelers—and we use our knowledge to make clothes that look good and play hard. We like to focus on the details, and aren’t afraid to go bold when it comes to colors and whimsical patterns. We love to combine classic style with modern materials, ever mindful of where and how our creations are made."

YES!

Why I climb rocks..

I have been wanting to write about this from the beginning.... when I just started climbing in September 2012. And then I just kept procrastinating....but here goes.

People say we are crazy. Brave. Abnormal. But I can tell you, it's not as crazy as it seems and there is a reason behind it all.

I have always known that I am here to live. Really live. Ask questions. Explore my mind, my soul, my body. When I used to travel the world as an air hostess, I was curious to know why traveling makes one so excited. Why so many people want to travel. It's the same reasons. Exploration. The excitement of talking to a fellow human being from another culture/country. Learning about yourself while learning about other people. It's a spiritual thing. Before we run away with that word now, let's define it as it is in the dictionary: affecting the human spirit.

And I know this is my purpose – to affect my spirit. To expand. All. The. Time. Never cease to learn and ask questions.

And this is why I keep going back to the rock. Not only am I changing physically - as I have finally managed for the first time in my LIFE to do pull-ups, as I am able to do things in yoga I haven't even dreamt of because I thought it was impossible; but I come back changed - mentally and spiritually - each time I return from the mountains. This consumes my days and I cannot wait for the next day out. What will I learn about myself today, what will I learn about life today. How will I deal with fear. What is fear. Why are we so afraid?

I have had therapy sessions on the rock before that no therapists could've given me. I have cried like a lunatic (I used to be embarrassed about crying in front of people), I have laughed, screamed, cursed – all of this out of joy, disappointment, fear, anger, relief, gratitude and amazement. Our mind, heart and body are incredible. Hilarious even, when not in harmony. Rock climbing is shaping me and preparing me for other things. My approach to yoga has changed because of it and I instruct/suggest/teach my classes the way I approach life/rock climbing. I realize now that I don't actually have words to explain/describe it all. The ineffability of it all.

So... I am not crazy or abnormal. I am expanding. Learning. I am exploring my mind, my body and my spirit. And I wish all human beings will do this. Stop focusing on all the bullshit that you manage to see. Focus instead on all the beauty around you – which happens to be endless. No buts. Meditate while moving. Breathe. It is so amazing to breathe. Go to the mountains and feel what it is like to breathe fresh air. Clear your mind. Have no excuses. Get shit done. Live your life. Be still for at least 5mins a day. Do stuff that makes you feel good about yourself, about your life and about the world. Eat well. Stop running away with the mind telling you lies (oh, how this happens on the rock all the time). Practice being light and easy. Get rid of your baggage. Stop running away with a destination. Be here. (I say this in yoga class all the time. I mention a handstand and off they go. Some stay present, some are chasing that handstand. Some get frustrated that they can't do that handstand. Some don't care and enjoy the journey). Enjoy the freakin journey! Measure your success by how happy you are.

I wanted to tell you why I climb rocks...