Truth be told, I suffer from impatience. Yes, I know, I’m a yogi, and a yoga teacher - shouldn’t I be mellow and patient all of the time? Oh the SHOULDS of being a yogi!

I hide my impatience…well maybe not now, as I’m sharing this with you, but I certainly keep it tucked away. It’s not a characteristic I’m proud of, so I continuously work on it.

In a self-awareness program I participated in, we had to find our unsavory characteristics and give them a name. We were encouraged to ask someone close to us what they’d name this delightful (haha) nature, as they probably were a victim of it as well. This helps nail it.

This is a practice we do in the 200-hour yoga teacher training that has incredible results in shifting behaviors and expanding our awareness of the shadow (aka unobserved) parts of ourselves.

So my husband, who is the most patient person ever, named my impatient nature - Little Miss Small Mouth. As my mouth gets very small and my brow tight when I’m under the resistance of impatience. This is embarrassing, but worth sharing, as we all have these less-than-optimal traits.

Yoga certainly helps my impatient nature. And it takes my daily practice to continue to observe when my impatient self is arising, so then I can choose to respond and not react in a way I’ll regret.

What most people don’t realize is that beyond the physical relief yoga provides, the secret sauce is what it mentally and emotionally does for us. Observation with no judgment is one of the more subtle, yet profound, aspects of yoga and one we practice a lot in the spring.

The springtime is when things start to grow from the deep stillness of winter. Growth takes patience. Growth is not a straight line. There are obstacles in the way. Think of a sprout growing in rocky soil, growth takes perseverance and patience to find a new route.

The energetic frequency related to growth and inspiration corresponds to the same energy frequency that runs the liver and gallbladder, therefore we focus on stimulating their meridians in the spring practices. When the liver energy is smooth and balanced we benefit from patience, kindness, and generous nature.

Impatience is a symptom of imbalanced Wood nature. The spring wood element, according to traditional Chinese medicine, corresponds to the energy of the liver and gallbladder. Humans are part of the wood element, as it relates to all animated growing beings.

Impatience, anger, and frustration are all symptoms of resistance. Resistance = suffering. These difficult emotions have a tendency to raise their ugly heads in the spring. Energetically they are symptoms of imbalanced liver qi (energy) rising.

3 ways that help shift my impatience to kind and generous PATIENCE

The inner smile:

Expanding and lifting the corners of the mouth and brow to open the mind to observe - what the fear is behind my impatience?

Diaphragmatic breathing:

Inhaling to expand the abdomen, exhaling pulling the navel back to the spine.

Focusing the mind on meridian breathing:

Through the liver and gallbladder energy channels when meditating or in yoga poses.

If you suffer from these unsavory traits, come join us in the Meridian Flow classes (or the upcoming new virtual ‘20-minute practice’ membership) to shift your resistance, into a kind and generous patient nature.

Meditations, breathwork, specific yoga poses, and qigong sets are a part of this unique practice that releases resistance and brings you into a harmonious energetic state where you feel RELIEF!

Our energy is the subtlest layer, yet has the strongest effect on our emotions and physical well-being.

You’ll feel so much better…and everyone else around you will benefit!

We are ultimately responsible for our own healing.

The Meridian Flow practice transcends chronic pain, anxiety, and autoimmune issues naturally.

You can read more about the seasonal practices, meditations, and breathwork in my recent book The Empowered Yogi, Transcending the Chronic Pain and Anxiety Associated with Autoimmune Conditions.

If you feel called towards these seasonal teachings, meditations, and meridian flow practices, which help us heal naturally from chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and autoimmune issues, come join our Meridian Flow program to find relief and freedom.

If you're a seasoned yogi or yoga teacher and would like to learn and implement these practices join the Master's Path or 300-hour Teacher Training course.

~ The Meridian Flow program is for those who may be newer to yoga and suffer from chronic pain, chronic anxiety, and autoimmune issues. This type of program has been recommended by rheumatologists for their patients who want a natural approach to healing their issues. We are ultimately responsible for our own healing, and this program puts you in the driver's seat to take control, so you’re no longer a victim but an example of how to heal yourself. You’ll be practicing with others in similar situations that want to take an empowered approach to relieve chronic ailments and feel free in your body and mind. Book a call with Maggie here to see if this program is right for you.

~ The Master's Path program is for seasoned yogis and yoga teachers who want to uplevel their practice and offerings. Learning this seasonal practice of the Meridian Flow, seasonal qigong sets, and Kundalini kriyas is the best way to keep our own practice and teachings fresh and seasonally appropriate. You’ll continue your learning with a support group of other yogis who meet seasonally and inspire each other. Learning new things is one of the best ways to keep the mind bright and youthful.

~ The 300-hour teacher training is the same program as the Master's Path but added teaching support with our Teachers Inner Circle to learn how to deliver this practice with grace and confidence and fulfill the requirements from the Yoga Alliance to obtain the 500-hour certification.

The Meridian Flow classes are unique and for all levels. If you're just coming back to yoga or new to it, check out the Monday 5:30 class, and the Tuesday and Thursday classes.

Meridian Flow 30 min Basics Monday 5:30

The Meridian Flow class Monday at 6:15

Meridian Yin and Qigong Tuesdays at noon

Meridian Basics Thursdays 11:15.

From my heart light to yours~

Namaste,

Maggie

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