Ahimsa & Self-Care for Caretakers
Ahimsa- non-violence…Can it include self-care?
Ummmm Yes!
Ahimsa has always resonated with me. It’s the Sanskrit word for non-violence. I remember reading this In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and saying to myself, “Ah, I am not violent with people, animals…therefore, I have this.” No. Pretty early on, it clarifies that Ahimsa starts with being non-violent to yourself.
Pretty early on, it clarifies that Ahimsa starts with being non-violent to yourself.
I remember reading this over and over, trying to let it sink in. How we treat ourselves is, in truth, how we treat those around us. That was a game changer. It’s easier to say than do, and I believe most of us struggle here. As a holistic therapist, people often discuss their thoughts with me and share their cynical, unkind inner dialogue. Sometimes life can be rough.
When people first hear the word self-care, often one of the first things they picture is vacation, massage, or spa trip. While yes, those are amazing and can be a component, daily habits play a role in self-care and can be easier to make a reality. Perhaps it is a hot shower before bed, healthier eating and sleep routines, talking to a friend, going to a PURE Yoga class or practicing at home when unable to, setting up an appointment for therapy, etc.
What small habits can you begin implementing to replenish yourself?
This notion of Ahimsa and self-care was a main topic at our recent workshop for caregivers on Sunday, January 8. We had incredible insights and together as a community experienced personal growth. When a loved one becomes terminally or chronically ill, all we want is to make everything better; to be their support and to show our love. It just never goes that smoothly. There are medical appointments, days off work needed to cover them, expenses which seem astronomical, feelings of guilt, despair and inadequacy, and so on. Self-care can be hard to do and hard to make time for, but it is integral to your wellbeing.
We took from our earlier gathering a commitment to foster growth and nurture our community of caregivers. We will have a follow-up workshop Jan 29, 2023, at 7pm at PURE Yoga Downtown. We will further explore Ahimsa and self-care for caretakers in a manner that helps connect the body, mind and spirit.
Join us! If you are interested in attending, please contact Joanna.
Joanna is a licensed clinical social work supervisor (LCSW-S) at the United States Department of Defense, working with active military and veterans at Fort Hood in Killeen and Temple. She combines yoga mindfulness, breathwork, and asana in her EMDR, ART, and other clinical work. Joanna teaches yoga at Salado Fitness and Life Moves Yoga and has been a regular volunteer at the annual Texas Yoga Retreat. Her passion is to bring awareness and support for mental health issues and bring access to resources and tools directly to the community.
