In this time of uncertainty we thought it would be nice to stay in contact and offer a little online yoga. We have recently had some great feedback that our online classes are helpful, and as such we would love to share them with you!
So we offer you below a complimentary class to support your home practice during this time of social distancing.
Self-Compassion over Self-Esteem
The research on building self-compassion over self-esteem building is really very interesting. Below are some wonderful insights sourced from Dr. Kristen Neff – expert on self-compassion:
- Self esteem building in our young has possibly led to the rise in narcissism we see in today’s society: “Self-esteem had a strong association with narcissism while self-compassion had no association with narcissism.”
- “Self-compassion was also found to be less contingent on things like physical attractiveness or successful performances than self-esteem.”
- “Research indicates that self-compassion offers the same benefits as self-esteem (less depression, greater happiness, etc.) without its downsides.”
- “Unlike self-esteem – self-compassion does not lead to blaming others in order to feel good about oneself”.
- “People who received the self-compassion instruction reported less negative emotions when thinking about the past event than those in the self-esteem condition”
(Source)
The class provided is one that may give you some ideas on how to practice self-compassion. The classes employs some of the Compassionate Mind Training techniques as taught by Prof Paul Gilbert:
- Compassionate posturing,
- Compassionate breathing,
- Compassionate toning with your inner voice, encouraging yourself gently, rather than as a dictator or army sergeant!
- Letting your compassionate self speak to your anxious/fearful or depressed self.
- Understanding the fears, blocks and resistances to self compassion.
Please do enjoy this video and please do see some of my compassionate self-talk schema’s for practice below.
Compassionate Self-Talk
“It is ok to feel anxious right now; you know this feeling, and this too shall pass.”
“You are doing such a wonderful job of caring for others right now and the best job you can at the moment you have.”
“You are a wonderfully responsible person, and you care for others and want to make things safe for them.”
“You are doing well, and you have made an effort to get out of bed and go for a healthy walk; well done.”
“You can bring your attention back to the moment and practice self-compassion. Well done!”
“You are taking care of yourself in many ways, which is a valuable achievement.”
We all experience shared humanity and suffer to varying degrees at different times in our lives; showing compassion and empathy to Self and one another is imperative in creating a more compassionate world.
With compassion, we are “like a sun shining that illuminates without distinction all in its path.”
References
Paul Gilbert and Dr James Kirby and The compassionate mind research group.
Kristin Neff: Why self-compassion is healthier than self-esteem
Compassion Focused Yoga Therapy and Meditation Teacher Training
If you would like to contact Celia to learn more about the meditation teacher training journey, please do visit our Meditation Teacher Training Page or find us on Facebook or Instagram or contact Celia directly.