Self-Practice & Co-regulation

“That practice is firmly grounded, that is done over a long period, consistently, and with the right attitude.” 

~ Yoga Sutras of Patanjali ~

Every time I step onto my mat recently, I can’t help but reflect on the privilege of practice. In a world with so much pain, suffering and inequality, it can almost feel like an indulgent act. 

One can feel pretty hopeless into knowing how to take action during these times. Whether it is the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and beyond, or news such as March being the warmest in modern times. Any action feels like a drop in the ocean and pales into insignificance to how much needs to be done.

However, it is in these times of overwhelm when our practice becomes even more essential. As Christiana Figueres & Tom Rivett-Carnac highlight in their book The Future We Choose: “..continual personal grounding is key to being able to withstand the daily bombardment of bad news from all sides. Without such grounding, you will be a leaf in the wind - vulnerable to the elements from all directions. Better stand as a tree, firmly rooted in your values, principles and convictions."

By taking responsibility for our own resilience and sense of groundedness, we are then better able to take meaningful action in the world. Using our privilege instead as a commitment to not turn away, and instead let the heartbreak spur us onto greater action rather than sinking into a space of blame, despair or hopelessness (Christiana Figueres & Tom Rivett-Carnac). 

Not only does self-practice support your own wellbeing and resilience, your grounded and calm nervous system also affects those around you. By providing an unspoken message of peace and equanimity through co-regulation. 

In simple terms, co-regulation is the ability to regulate our own emotions in order to provide a warm and calming presence to those around us. This shared experience of connection can then help individuals regulate their own nervous system, shifting into a calmer, more regulated state of being where healing can take place.

So practice becomes a meaningful action in and of itself. Giving us the strength to continue living in a world which does affect us, whilst maintaining a deeply rooted inner stability which reverberates to those around us. 

These words from Jesus to his followers resonated with me when contemplating the power of practice and co-regulation:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” 

I believe through self-practice, we are offering the world much needed equanimity one calm and grounded nervous system at a time.