As I sit down to write this article, the words to Don’t Stop Believin’ keep rolling through my head. After all, I am a small town girl and often feel like I live in a lonely world. Perhaps you can relate to that feeling too: the one where you never quite fit in. Where you have all these beliefs and feelings that don’t quite match up with others.
I spent much of my life looking for my tribe and didn’t truly find it until I found yoga. As I worked my way through my yoga studies program, I began to experience an unveiling – the removal of all those things that were not really me to reveal my true self. This yoga stuff really works!
“Through yoga I finally began to feel like the person I always knew I was meant to be.”
As I continued to grow and evolve in my own practice, I learned to channel my inner wisdom more effectively. And for me, “channeling your inner wisdom” is often synonymous with “getting out of your own way.” It’s easy to get tangled up in expectations and cultural norms, losing sight of who you are to fit into someone else’s idea of who you should be. Learning to channel your inner wisdom and chart your own path feels like a special kind of magic. So, what’s the secret? Well… if you are reading this magazine, you are already on the right track.
- Tune in to yourself.
Yoga teaches us to become more aware. When you tune in to your inner voice, body sensations, and emotions, you begin to notice who you are on a deeper level. By increasing your awareness, you can better recognize your triggers and patterns, and can then adjust your dialogue and actions accordingly.
2. Follow your gut.
By being aware, you also learn how to follow your gut. You know things. You feel them in your body, in your heart, and in your gut. But recognizing those things and believing in them are two different things! Sometimes we question ourselves, which can be a helpful way to tell the difference between ego or fear based thoughts and those that are really us. To access your inner wisdom you must learn to make those distinctions.
Questions to Consider
Will this bring me joy?
Would I do this if I could set fear aside?
Would I choose this if there were no barriers?
Who am I doing this for?
What keeps me from moving forward?
3. Take action.
Channeling your inner wisdom requires action. And no one can do it for you! You’ll often know when something is for you. Have you ever been on the cusp of making a purchase but instead waited to see if the item kept calling to you? It’s the same with your inner wisdom. If it is for you, the idea or notion will stick with you. It will keep you awake at night. It will distract you in the middle of your favorite show. It will consume your thoughts no matter how much it scares you. So take action! Even if it’s just one small step.
“Fear is excitement without breath.”
4. Practice, practice, practice.
Practice may not make perfect, but it will create consistency and build confidence. The more you practice tuning in and taking action, the easier it will become to follow your gut. You’ll begin to recognize your patterns easier and readjust quicker. You’ll become masterful at quieting your inner critic, ego, and fear. You will also be better able to stand in your own truth, tuning out the voice of your external critics or those who don’t align with your way of thinking.
When you step into your true self and channel your inner wisdom, you’ll light up your life in new and exciting ways – ways that inspire you toward continued growth and invite others to do the same.
Allissa Obler is the owner and founder of Mudita Wellness and River Valley Yoga Festival. With over 25 years of personal practice, Allissa is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with specialty training in restorative yoga and meditation. Allissa is also certified as an AromaTouch essential oil practitioner and is proud to serve on the board of Stillwater Area Kiwanis Club and as an Ambassador for the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about Allissa, her studio and River Valley Yoga Festival at muditawellnessmn.com and rivervalleyyogafestival.com.
