Joy is the feeling of grinning inside. – Melba Colgrove

At the hospital last night, I sat bedside with a friend, Cheryl*, who was suffering with pain and nausea from a surgery. It was one of many treatments she had endured in her fight against cancer. She was unable to see any relief in the near future. As she went in and out of consciousness we talked about her life. She told me of her fears and wishes and the loves in her life. I left the hospital with uncertainty of what would be her fate. She was unable to eat and her will to live was slipping away.

This morning as I practice yoga, my heart is heavy and crazy fears circle in my head about my mortality. What would I do if I was in her shoes? As I stand in Warrior Two, I think ‘allow your lips to to turn up in a little smile’. As I do, the dark clouds covering the sun in my heart move apart leaving a subtle feeling of ‘joy’.

Joy is the feeling of grinning inside. – Melba Colgrove

Joy building poses:
Warrior One – with a smile on your face
Wild Thing
Half Moon

Breathing exercises:
Energizing Breath – 2 quick inhales through the nostrils and 2 exhales through and open mouth
with the vocal sound ‘ha ha’ (repeat as many times as you like).

NOTE: I received a text later in the day from a friend. Cheryl was going home! The nausea subsided, she was able to eat breakfast and keep it down!

* fictious name 🙂