10 things you can do to cultivate self-love

The Month Of Love Is Upon Us!

February is often considered the month of Love because of Valentine's Day, a holiday dedicated to celebrating Love and affection between intimate partners, friends, and family members.

People often exchange gifts, cards, and sweets to show their Love and appreciation for one another. As a result, the holiday has become a symbol of Love and romance and is celebrated worldwide.

However, it is crucial to remember that self-love is just as important as Love for others and should be celebrated throughout the year, not just in February.
And while it is important to show Love and appreciation for others, it is equally important to show Love and kindness towards oneself. It’s essential to give yourself the Love you wish to receive.

In other words, Love starts with us.

So, what Is Self-Love?

Self-love is the practice of treating yourself with care, respect, and kindness.
It involves recognizing and appreciating your own worth and accepting your imperfections.
It is a positive and nurturing attitude towards yourself, which leads to increased self-esteem, confidence, and overall well-being.

Self-love is essential for a healthy and fulfilling life, and it involves taking time for self-care, setting boundaries, and being honest with yourself about your needs and wants. By practicing self-love, you can build a strong foundation for healthy relationships and a fulfilling life.

This can include taking time for self-care, practicing self-compassion, and engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment. Whether through exercise, spending time in nature, or trying a new hobby, taking care of yourself can help you improve overall well-being and increase feelings of self-love. So, this February, say yes to celebrating Love for yourself as well as others.

Ten things you can do to cultivate Self Love:

1. Practice self-care activities like exercise, good nutrition, and enough sleep.

2. Surround yourself with positive people and minimize toxic relationships.

3. Set healthy boundaries and learn to say "no" when necessary.

4. Practice gratitude and focus on the good things in your life.

5. Engage in hobbies and activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

6. Practice self-compassion and treat yourself with kindness and understanding.

7. Forgive yourself for past mistakes and let go of negative self-talk.

8. Surround yourself with positive affirmations and things that make you happy.

9. Seek professional help if needed, such as therapy or counseling.

10. Make time for self-reflection and personal growth.

Do you have any other ways to cultivate self-love? Leave a comment and share it with us!

Happy Self-Love month!

and if you need more Self-Love in your life, this month's Yoga Nidra Bliss workshop is dedicated to giving yourself exactly what you need!

Yoga Nidra Bliss
Self-Love Edition

Join us for a workshop dedicated to cultivating Self-Love!

Feb. 12th • 11 am PT / 2 pm ET

Three Reasons Why New Year's Resolutions Fail

Tell me, do you have a New Year’s resolution for 2023?

Have you made New Year’s resolutions in the past and not kept them?

New Year's resolutions are often seen as a way for people to set goals and make positive changes in their lives. However, if you have ever set such a goal for yourself, you might have found that your resolutions did not work, and perhaps you have struggled to keep them.

There are several reasons why this may be the case.

• First •

You might have set unrealistic goals for yourself, which can be difficult or impossible to achieve. This can lead to disappointment and frustration and make it harder for you to stay motivated and committed to your resolutions.

• Second •

You might not have had a clear plan or strategy for achieving your goals, which can make it difficult for you to stay on track. Without a plan, it can be easy to get sidetracked or distracted and lose sight of what you are trying to accomplish.

• Third •

You may not have the support and encouragement you need to stick to your resolutions. This can be especially true if your friends and family do not share the same goals or values or if you do not have a strong network of people who can help you stay motivated and accountable.

Overall, many challenges and obstacles can make it difficult for you to stick to your New Year's resolutions. To increase your chances of success, it is important to set realistic goals, develop a clear plan, and seek out support and encouragement from others.

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So, this year why don’t you try something new?

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Every January 1st, I lead a Yoga Nidra workshop:

• to relax & let go of the stress your body and mind have accumulated over the Holidays,

• to release the previous year and everything you’ve been through,

• and to manifest what your heart truly desires in the upcoming year (without your ego telling you what to do or wish for).

In Yoga Nidra, we set an intention instead of a resolution. This meditation helps keep the ego at bay and allows you to open up to your most authentic desires.

It’s the perfect way to start the new year!

You will feel refreshed and ready for 2023!

+ I am also adding a Vision Board-making workshop after the meditation this year.

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It’s going to be EPIC!

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So click the invitation button above to get all the information and join us for a fun, relaxing, empowering workshop and the best way to start the new year!

Wishing you & yours a Happy Holiday Season!

With Love from Santa Monica,

Cathy D

Is the end of the year a stressful and difficult time for you too?

The Holidays are upon us.

And with it comes the busyness of getting all your personal & work projects done, a calendar filled with to-dos from Holiday parties, gift shopping, and friends & family gathering…basically our stress goes to another level.

It is also a time when you may feel lonelier or deep sadness, especially if you are away from your family, have lost someone close, or are going through your own life challenges.
Every year at this time, I think of my father, whom I lost during the Holidays. This year is no different. And as I am writing this blog, I am going through another loss.

So, how do we find joy amidst overpowering emotions and tensions?

By first not avoiding the sadness, the grief, the anger… we may feel. There are no wrong emotions.
It is important to let ourselves feel what needs to be felt, find compassion for ourselves and ask for help when needed— When we allow these emotions to go through us, we can give them space and, eventually, a place to rest.

Second, As you go through difficult emotions, also notice and embrace the small things that make your heart a little lighter:

• The twinkle in the eyes of a child looking at Santa and the toys through a store window,

• Your favorite Holiday song on your playlist,

• Decorating a Christmas tree, lighting the Chakukkah candles…and other family traditions,

• Looking at the Christmas lights in your city, town, or neighborhood.

• Reconnecting with an old friend visiting from out of town,

• Volunteering or donating to your favored charity

• The list goes on…

In other words, stay present for it all.

And believe me, I know It is not easy!

When I go through a difficult time is when my yoga & meditation practice helps me the most, Yoga Nidra in particular. This deep meditation created space for me to move through the loss of my father and some very difficult moments since then. It allowed me to release my anxious thoughts and feelings and ground myself so I could also see the sweet moments and the kindness around me, not just the pain.

That is one of the major reasons why I share Yoga Nidra with all of you all year long, especially this time of year.

If you’re feeling the stress of the end of the year and would like to experience a little release and calmness, I highly recommend this practice. You can find recordings on YouTube, or Spotify, attend a class in person in your city or join me online for my next Yoga Nidra workshop.
It will leave you refreshed and ready for the end of the year, no matter what you are going through!
Click below if you want to know more about the workshop:

Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday Season!
And remember, you are not alone. I am here for you!

With Love from Santa Monica,

Cathy D

What Happened To Me?

That’s a question I often hear after teaching a
Yoga Nidra workshop.

Have you ever asked yourself that same question?

Have you also said out loud or to yourself: “Did I fall asleep, again” during Nidra?
And maybe you felt disappointed that you missed most of the meditation, yet when we discuss the journey, you recall some of the imagery, the sensations you felt, the smells, and perhaps even the sound of my voice, and you wonder:
What exactly happened?

So, here are 3 things that happen during Yoga Nidra!

Your Body Heals

During the guided meditation, your body falls asleep which helps reduce physical stress. However, your mind stays very much aware.
Your muscles start to relax, your jaw releases, and your shoulders soften.
Yoga Nidra helps release tension and pain wherever you feel it.
The body goes into a healing state facilitating physical wellbeing.

And yes, if it is sleep that you need your mind will fall asleep too to help heal & renew. With time you will learn to stay awake through the whole practice.

“Healing may not be so much about getting better, as about letting go of everything that isn’t you - all of the expectations, all of the beliefs - and becoming who you are.”

— Rachel Naomi Remen

Your Mind Awakens

During the practice, you may notice that your mind awakes, yet you detach from your thoughts. Instead of attaching a storyline to each image or word popping up in your mind, you start recognizing your thoughts as thoughts.
You become the observer.
You develop a deeper awareness of yourself.
With time you may even watch your unconscious and subconscious thoughts & patterns unfold in your everyday life, not just in your Nidra state.

Yoga Nidra guides you to become who you’ve always been by helping you identify the little nagging voice in your head criticizing your every move and quieting it down so you can live your best life!

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”

— Lao Tzu

You Feel Alive

As you awaken from the practice, you’ll feel a deep connection to all around you and to the Divine, the Universe, or whatever your spiritual beliefs are.

It may take a few minutes to adjust to the world surrounding you as you return to your senses. The colors may seem more vibrant, the sounds clearer, and the light brighter. You may feel more aware and in harmony with yourself.
You may even feel the deepest desires in your heart become alive and dare I say, find your purpose.

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built.”

— Rumi

Are you ready to give yourself what your body, mind, and soul need?

I offer monthly Yoga Nidra workshops & bi-weekly short Nidra meditation to soothe you when you need it most!

Click below to see the schedule.

Subscribe to my Karmic News newsletter to receive exclusive offers and discounts.

Shimmer • Sparkle • Glow!

“If your inner light is on, the darker it gets, the brighter you shine.”

— Matshona Dhliwayo

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Have you ever had a dream so powerful, that you woke up with a wonderful feeling that you just can't quite explain?

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Well, I had such a dream a few nights ago and I am still processing it.

It felt like I received a message, or maybe it was a deep knowing that I suddenly was aware of.
After hesitating a few days, I am now sharing it with you.

But first, let me ask you a question, have you ever heard or said he/she/they have the brightest inner light?

If you answer Yes, you're not alone, I have as well.

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What exactly is inner light?

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The answer according to the Oxford dictionary is:

“personal spiritual revelation; a source of enlightenment within oneself.”

In Hindu philosophy,

it is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman – soul

The dream I had, revealed so much more.
It showed me that in order for us to shine bright, we must be in harmony with our whole being.

Our spiritual journey is only one part of the light we emanate.
To shine at our brightest, we must attend to all our "lights", nourish them, and care for them every day, in different ways.

Each light represents the relationships we have with:

• our loved ones and the people who challenge us,

• our bodies,

• our minds,

• the world around us,

• mama Earth...,

• and yes our spiritual life.

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“When we are in harmony, our light is at its brightest, so intense that we can no longer see its colors. We become an infinite glow.”

— Cathy D

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In my dream, the lights had different hues. They were like tabs of a notebook where each color's vibrancy represented my state of being and what I needed to "work on".

One of these "tabs" was rainbow-colored! Oh, that was exciting, although I wouldn't be able to tell you which “subject” it was for!

When we are in harmony, our light is at its brightest, so intense that we can no longer see its colors. We become one infinite glow.

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Do you want to access your inner glow?

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If you want to shine your brightest spend time with yourself, in meditation or prayers, and ask: what do I need today?

Then attend to the area that needs a little bit more love & attention.
It doesn't have to take long, a few minutes every day is enough to bring yourself back into balance.

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Are you ready to watch yourself glow & become who you are at your core?

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Book a complimentary 30-minute coaching call and I’ll give you a tip on how to radiate your brightest light!

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“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.”

— Mary Anne Radmacher

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