True forgiveness is when you can say, “Thank you for that experience”
– Oprah Winfrey
I wrote a post about the beauty of Yoga for forgiveness recently on my IG page. This is something I wanted to explore in more depth. It can be hard to forgive at first as when you’re hurt you feel angry, causing you to lash out, reacting rather than responding and building a fortress of protection around yourself is completely natural.
There are many different reasons we may find ourselves wanting to forgive someone in our life and the journey to forgiveness is unique and individual to each of us, but we all deserve to feel peace within.
The process of forgiveness is complex, it is strength and gentleness, a rainbow of emotions shining through the dark clouds. It takes courage, understanding and your own self-love to hold you steadfast on one of the most precious journeys to inner peace.
One of the biggest gifts Yoga can give to you is compassion, I started to think about various aspects of my life that this enriches, this led my thoughts to feelings of acceptance and the ability to be non-judgemental whilst remaining openhearted.
I’ve found that all the above can enable me to surrender up any negativity and anger, creating space within for empathy, positivity and freedom which delicately and beautifully opens the door to forgiveness.
This can be for yourself, or for someone who has wronged you or hurt you in some way, this can range for example from actions such as a person being rude to you in a queue to someone breaking your heart.
The process of being able to ‘let go’ can be healing and nurturing, as holding on to resentment gives power to feelings of inner negativity for yourself, or to the other person, and you remain painfully ‘stuck’.
It can be felt within as the Heart Chakra (Anahata) closes. You cannot move forward, practically, emotionally, or spiritually, and if we continue to hold onto this, we can show signs of physical stress and depression. Long term this can become bitterness.
Yoga can give you therapeutic tools to help with the release of painful feelings. With care and tenderness using pranayama techniques, meditation, journaling, and asanas that cultivate you to let vulnerability wash over you, whilst opening your heart and hips where we can physically store our emotions, is to let a glimmer of light in, to let the healing begin.
This may take time, and forgiveness is a process, some days can be harder than others.
I find that a restorative Yoga practice can gently nourish and empower me. As I fill my heart space with kindness, patience, and empathy, I can open my Heart Chakra which replenishes my joy for life, relationships, and the path to forgiveness.
Forgiving does not mean condoning behaviour, but you will be able to move forward without pain or regret. Even if they hurt you deeply.
Helpful Yoga practices can be for example:
Pranayama – breathing techniques that connect you to your emotional energy through the physical sensation of release.
Gratitude – an active gratitude practice can cultivate positivity, and perspective.
Actively send a forgiving thought to someone who has hurt you. Maybe they were doing their best, maybe they are in emotional pain.
Physical asanas can help release pent up emotions and nurture an open heart.
Set an intention for your practice, this could be flowing to forgive, to let go, or to let compassion in.
Dedicate your practice to someone who has hurt you, I have actively done this, and I find it really helps cultivate empathy towards them entwined with peace, empowerment, and freedom for myself.
Meditation – sitting with yourself can be intense at times, but it enables you to acknowledge thoughts and let them go. Looking inwards fosters compassion and acceptance for yourself. This can radiate beautifully to others around you.
Affirmations – positive affirmations can help you through a healing journey. Some to try for example:
I practice understanding and compassion.
I forgive everyone in my past for all perceived wrongs. I send them loving energy and wash it out of my aura.
All is love.
Journaling – especially therapeutic post meditation for any emotions that arise and for practicing gratitude.
Remember, forgiveness is a personal experience, it can have many layers to it, forgive without expectation, and be kind to yourself along the way.
“Let go of the battle. Breathe quietly and let it be. Let your body relax and your heart soften. Open to whatever you experience without fighting.”
Jack Kornfield
Be kind and go with the flow.
Jo x
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