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Writer's pictureMindy Cochran

How To Embrace Self Compassion

And why I left Levitation Nation, and my commitment to my new community.



As you may know, I created the brand "Elevated Fitness" to house my blog posts last year. Then, over this past summer, I left the aerial studio I founded nine years ago (but sold two years back) in order to get high aerial silks classes going again. After leaving the studio, I moved my HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) class to a new location and began offering them under my new "Elevated Fitness" brand. Starting in September, I will be teaching the high aerial silks classes offered through the Flathead Gymnastics Academy.

Leaving the aerial studio I founded in order to be able to offer high aerial classes again has brought on a bit of sadness, but I also see it as an opportunity for introspection. I have embraced the chance to assess: Are my values the same as when I founded Levitation Nation? How can I use my platform to better serve my community? What has the change taught me? What needs to be different?


These are big questions, and as I continue to refine my answers, I am committed to staying open to the lessons from the universe and compassionate to myself. Here are a few things that have helped me.


Tip #1 - Start Your Morning Gently


I once heard that placing your hand on your heart and saying "I love you" to yourself helps unlock self-compassion. In a slight variation of this, each morning, I have been putting my hand on my heart and simply saying "Good Morning, Mindy," the way I would talk to a young child or a dear friend. I do this variation because, on my really low days, it feels more available to me than "I love you." I have a reminder that pops up on my phone to do this practice every morning. It is a simple practice that has benefitted me greatly. Everyone should try it!


Tip #2 - Imagine Everyone Is Enlightened Except You


I have many books on my nightstand, one of which is "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and It's All Small Stuff" by Richard Carlson, PH.D.


Carlson says "Imagine that everyone you know and everyone you meet is perfectly enlightened...Your job is to try to determine what the people in your life are trying to teach you. You'll find that if you do this, you'll be far less annoyed, bothered, and frustrated by the actions and imperfections of other people"

"Once you discover that someone is trying to teach you, it's easy to let go of your frustration."

"For example, suppose you're in the post office and the postal clerk appears to be intentionally moving slowly. Rather than feeling frustrated, ask yourself the question, 'What is he trying to teach me?' Maybe you need to learn about compassion - how hard it would be to have a job you don't like. Or perhaps you could learn a little more about being patient. Standing in line is an excellent opportunity to break your habit of feeling impatient.


You may be surprised by how fun and easy this is. All you're really doing is changing your perception from 'Why are they doing this?' to 'What are they trying to teach me?' Take a look around today at all the enlightened people." I love this.


Tip #3 - Remember The Pillars of Health


I am a huge believer in weaving magic into life through movement medicine, a health-minded diet, and plentiful rest and restoration.


The irony is that the more I gain traction in one of these areas, the more gains I have in the other two. I try not to eat after 7 pm because the food energy affects my ability to get good sleep. Likewise, I have had a theory that doing some movement or exercise in the early evening results in better sleep. I have been testing that theory; paying attention to how my movement has been in comparison to my sleep. I mentioned it to a friend the other day, and she said, "Oh yeah, my Apple watch tells me when I need to get more exercise because it affects my sleep." For me, after sitting at a desk all day, a 30-minute walk in the evening can have profound benefits on sleep.


Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. When I sleep poorly, I am too tired to exercise, and I know I make poor diet choices, using sugar as energy to survive the day. And then the cycle repeats because I haven't exercised, and I sleep poorly again. It can be challenging to break out of the cycle, but it is possible. An earlier bedtime is a gentle place to start. I am also a huge advocate for finding movement that you love. This way, exercise feels more achievable even when you are tired. Let me know if I can offer you any support with my HIIT or silks classes (you can try out my HIIT class totally free!).


Tip #4 - Surround Yourself with Compassion


Practice gratitude. Listen to guided meditations on self-compassion. Pepper your life with compassionate friends and reach out when you need them. You get bonus points if you can combine any of these with movement such as on a long walk.


My Commitment to My Community


As I move into this new era in life, one where I leave Levitation Nation behind for now and say hello to Elevated Fitness, I want to say that I am grateful for the outpouring of support from my friends and community. It has been an emotional decision to leave, but I am connected to my vision and purpose in life.

My motto when I created my first brand a decade ago was "Fitness is Fun" and (of course) I am bringing that ethos along with me to Elevated Fitness (because I believe it with my whole heart). My purpose is to help women find their best selves, and I know how important it is to have a supportive, health-minded community on that pathway. Please know that I am committed to supporting you in your journey to your best self. I commit to learning from mistakes and celebrating successes along the way. I am here for you as much now as ever, and I am excited to see what the future brings. Thank you for letting me be part of your quest to your best self. XOXO, Mindy


 

Article by Mindy Cochran. Mindy is a practitioner, teacher, and performer of aerial silks, aerial hammock, and aerial hoop; as well as a health columnist for Montana Woman Magazine. Her column shares expertise for elevating health & wellness which she has acquired through her certifications as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and life coach. To connect with Mindy on Instagram, please visit: www.instagram.com/aerial.mindy; or visit her Linktree here.






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