Be open to receive

In my work as a restorative yoga teacher, part of what I do is to help my students get into the pose, this includes placing their eye pillows on, covering them with our weighted blankets and sometimes tucking the blankets around their feet or their body.  As I do this, I am constantly confronted with their awkwardness of having someone else done something for them that they could probably do for themselves.  They feel uncomfortable with being fussed over or feeling “awful” about me providing extra effort.  Some are beginning to enjoy the experience, relating it to feeling like a child again, getting tucked into bed, with a real warmth attached to their experience. 

For most of us, there’s a real willingness to give, we’ve been conditioned that way, believing that it is better to give, but when it comes to receiving, we don’t seem to be very good at it.  Even receiving a compliment can be difficult for some. Receiving can ignite the vulnerable part of ourselves as we create a moment of connection.  There is a softness and if we can allow ourselves to lean into this feeling of softness we can create more of it, slowly becoming more comfortable with receiving.

 As human beings we need to feel nurtured and supported, and while it is a lovely thing to give unconditionally, receiving is equally important.  There is a lovely exchange of energy as we unconditionally give and receive with others.  And I feel a sense of sadness at times when I witness the difficulties that some have in receiving.

Recently a beautiful soul offered to give me a massage, sensing that I might be needing some nurturing. I didn’t want to “put her out”, but I gratefully accepted because I was needing just that. I touched that vulnerable place within and enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing experience because I was willing to receive.

Be open to receive, let the walls of resistance drop away and honour your inner needs