Life has changed. We weren’t expecting it, we don’t know how long it will last but this is our present life. Some of us will be reaching for ways to keep busy, to expend our energy, maybe to burn off some of these feelings of restlessness or anxiety. Maybe we are craving a new routine to replace the one we have lost. Or maybe you are feeling a little lost? Adrift in this sea of change. Whatever you may be feeling today I believe we all benefit from taking the time to make a cup of tea.
Those of you who attend my classes and workshops know I like to sit and share a cup of tea with you as part of our yoga practice. For me yoga doesn’t start and end on our mat with asana, it means connection with ourselves and those around us. While we cannot physically sit together to share tea, I would like to share with you a simple way tea can be our meditation, our yoga.
Perhaps you are feeling that you cannot focus enough at the moment to sit and practice meditation. With this big shift in our world we can feel too overwhelmed to sit still or even close our eyes. Stress can reach a level that we feel unsafe to close our eyes or be still, this is a normal reaction. Our body is in ‘fight or flight mode’ it is prepared for action. . . but this situation we find ourselves in asks us to do nothing. To stay home. To be patient. So, we feel at odds with our world. How can we resolve this?
We can focus on a simple ritual- making ourselves a cup of tea.
1) Take your time to really choose what you want to drink. Maybe have a good look through your cupboard and see what you have forgotten you have in there. What might feel most comforting or soothing? Chamomile, hojicha, Ovaltine or Yorkshire-there isn’t a wrong answer, look for what feels right.
2) Instead of taking the closest cup to hand, find your favourite. Maybe it was a gift that brings happy memories of someone you love, maybe it’s your favourite colour, maybe the texture feels good in your hands.
3) While the kettle boils enjoy the view out of a window, a picture on the wall or a photograph on the fridge. Listen to your breath. Listen to your heartbeat. Simply observe the rhythms of your body.
4) When your drink is ready sit somewhere comfortable with a view of the sky or close your eyes if this feels good. Feel the warmth of the cup in your hands.
5) Lift the cup to your nose. Slowly, deeply inhale the smell.
6) Now enjoy that first sip. Let the flavour coat your tongue. Maybe you find deeper layers of taste than usual.
7) Enjoy each sip, slowly, really tasting what is in your cup. Take your time.
This ritual helps us tune in to the sensations of touch, sight, smell and flavour. It is a very simple tea meditation helping to soothe our nervous system by bringing our awareness to what our body is actually experiencing. This is yoga too.
When we feel ready, we can engage with asana again. Maybe that’s today. Maybe it’s tomorrow. Whenever you feel ready New Energy will be here to support you.
If you would like to know more about brewing tea and tea meditations come and find me at www.yinandtea.com
Written by Hannah Fletcher and published on Thursday 9th April 2020 at 09:18
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