Welcome
Note: this program is free until May 7, 2019. At that time it will be switched to subscriber-only. If you would like to begin or continue with the program at that time and are unable to subscribe, apply for a bursary.
I would like to start by saying my heart is with you and I am happy you are here. My hope for you is that, by reading this, you are choosing to take a powerful step towards healing. I hope this program of yoga, inquiry, and connection can help you as it helped me. I created this month of mindful practice as a condensed version of the healing path that I have been on for the past decade. This path has lead me to a place of full spectrum living, far more vibrant and joyful than anything I could have imagined was possible. I believe this is the type of life waiting for you, all you need to do is take one step at a time toward it.
Watch my video below to get a feel for what's ahead.
Week 1
Reading Suggestions for Week 1: Eastern body Western Mind by Anodea Judith up to chakra 2. Learn more about this book in our blog post, 17 Essential Yoga Books to Inspire You and Your Yoga Practice.
Day 1
Chakra One Flow
Difficulty: Intermediate
Props: None
We begin at the beginning, an exploration of the chakras from the root up gives the opportunity to look at patterns and perceptions that guide all our choices.
Day 2
Flow Into Feeling
Difficulty: Intermediate
Props: None
This class offers the ability reunite our mind with our body through the observation of sensation. Establishing this connection is an essential part of the healing process.
Day 3
Absolute Beginner Series: Meditation for Body Connection
Difficulty: Gentle Beginner
Props: None
Sitting with ourselves in the present, observing our own desire for distraction, is part the shift inward to a place of calm and connection.
Day 4
Chakra Two Flow
Difficulty: Advanced
Props:None
The second chakra reminds us that we have the inherent right to feel, on every level and that doing so is part of the human experience. Giving ourselves permission to experience positive feelings and pleasure without the shadow of guilt.
Day 5
Restorative Yoga for the Hips
Difficulty: Gentle Beginner
Props: Bolster, Blankets
The first two chakras are associated with the hips and imbalance in them can lead to tension in this area. Deep sweet release of tension can be an opportunity to let go of the old and welcome the new.
Day 6
Nature Connection: Walk, run, hike, or sit in nature. Yoga is a practice of connection on all levels, walking in nature can remind of us of our connection everything living in the same moment we are!
Day 7
Reflection Questions: Where and when do you feel safe? What circumstances give you comfort? Do you feel the ability to create these circumstances for yourself or is it something out of your hands?
Week 2
Reading Suggestions for Week 2: Eastern Body Western Mind Chakra 3-5
Day 8
Chakra Three Flow
Difficulty: Intermediate
Props: None
This chakra open us to the idea that we can take action and chart our own course, we can stand up for ourselves and what we believe in.
Day 9
A Flow for Courage
Difficulty: Intermediate
Props: None
Chakra 3 is one of action, and taking the first step on any journey always requires courage from within.
Day 10
Chakra Four Flow
Difficulty: Intermediate
Props: None
Chakra 4 is the center of the our energetic system, the heart chakra. This chakra invites us to understand love in all its forms, and how to love in a balanced way.
Day 11
Love Yourself
Difficulty: Gentle Beginner
Props: None
Learning to show love for others is often the easiest step, and can even go to the extreme of poor boundaries. Learning to love ourselves requires a holistic approach and allows time to consider the needs for all, ourselves included.
Day 12
Meditations for Chronic Anxiety: Turn It Off
Duration: 21:34
When we develop disordered eating it stems from disordered thinking, and often obsessive or relentless negative thoughts. Developing tools to help manage this unhealthy anxiety is an essential part of long term healing.
Day 13
Interconnection: Set aside an hour to spend time connecting with a friend or loved one. Having an eating disorder can be a lonely place where we slowly wean ourselves away from meaningful connections with others. trying to hide what is happening, trying to hide in general. Making an effort to connect with someone who provides joy and or support is a great first step in restoring these relationships.
Day 14
Reflection Questions: What guides your decisions each day? Your desires? Fears? Others demands or expectations? Do you act based on analytical thinking or based on feeling and emotions?
Week 3
Reading Suggestions for Week 3: The remaining portion of Eastern Body Western Mind
Day 15
Chakra Five Flow
Difficulty: Intermediate
Props: None
Chakra 5 invites us to bring our thoughts into form, to speak our truth and step out of our place in the shadows. You have something meaningful to say, your thoughts matter and need to be expressed.
Day 16
Calming Restorative Yoga
Difficulty: Gentle Beginner
Props: Bolster, Blankets, Strap
At this point in the program we are trying to get used to spending quality time in the present moment, and to give ourselves the opportunity to indulge in down time every once in a while. Let’s be honest here, most of us with disordered eating are a bit up tight at times, lets learn to soften a bit.
Day 17
Chakra Six Flow
Difficulty: Intermediate
Props:None
Chakra 6 is that of the 3rd eye, the seat of the soul, inner seeing and our source of true wisdom. We learn to listen to the authentic voice of intuition and divine seeing. The voice that would never beat us up, compare us to others, or hide us away.
Day 18
Yoga for Inner Acceptance
Difficulty: Beginner
Props: Blankets
We are coming to a place now where we realize that there are perceptions, traumas, negative dialogs, that we carry with us. They have been cogs in the wheel that got us to where we are but are not the right tools to get us to where we are going. Time to bring them forward, accept yourself and let them go.
Day 19
Moving Meditation
Difficulty: Intermediate
Props: None
Note: this class is temporarily free, to go with Fiji's Yoga for Eating Disorders Program. It will be returned to subscriber-only on May 7th.
Day 20
Inner Connection: Spend an hour on your own doing something that brings you joy, perhaps something you don’t often make time for. Part of stepping back towards life is identifying what is realling worth living for, what you are missing out on. Take some time to choose something and then make time for that, take a step towards it in some way.
Day 21
Reflection Questions: Where in life are you most creative? Do you have an outlet for this creativity on a daily or weekly basis? What do you feel like when you are doing something that allows for personal creativity?
Week 4
Reading Suggestions for Week 4: How yoga works by Michael Roach
Day 22
Tune Into You
Difficulty: Intermediate
Props: None
The difference between what you want and feel and what you think you should want and feel is an important area of distinction. This practice invites you repeatedly to honestly check in and to move from that seat of integrity.
Day 23
Loving Yourself
Difficulty: Intermediate
Props: None
Loving yourself in the present moment, independent of the temporary life circumstances that show up is what we are all working towards. This is another practice to move us in that direction. Practice, and all is coming.
Day 24
Meditations for Chronic Anxiety: Awaken the Brain
Duration: 17:05
Learning to release is something we practice each day, and in doing so we limit the hours spent in the struggle caused by clinging. Life and nature offer us continual opportunities to refine this, as does this class.
Day 25
Moving Meditation II
Difficulty: Advanced
Props:None
This is a challenging flow, challenge is rarely daunting to someone working through an eating disorder. The struggle here will be to lean in, listen, and respond appropriately to the voice of intuition and compassion. To have patience with the practice and see it as a lifelong learning opportunity.
Day 26
Chakra Seven Flow
Difficulty: Intermediate
Props:None
The 7th chakra! This is where we are hoping to shift more of our energy and awareness, to a place of ultimate and true seeing. Here nothing is clouded by the limited perceptions we cloak so many things in, here is the place where we see and experience unity.
Day 27
Vision Connection: Take time today to lay in supported savasana, close your eyes and vision the way you want your life to look and feel. Becoming clear on what you want, what it looks like and feels like, is part of forming your own future. You are a powerful being capable of creating a life through your thoughts and actions. It is now time to shift that power to be constructive rather than destructive, inclusive rather than seclude, uplifting rather than self doubting.
Day 28
Reflection Questions: If you could imagine a life for yourself that was of your design, your choosing, that filled all your desires and intentions for this life what would it look like? Where would you be? Who would be there? What would you be doing? What emotions would be most prevalent? Paint a picture with words, include every detail.
In Conclusion
Congratulations! Share below if you have any questions or would like to let us know about your experience.