So, how do you talk to yourself?
I often start my Yoga Nidra workshops asking: "how do you feel?"
You'll hear me say: "Find 1 to 3 words that describe how you feel at this moment."
It gives the students a starting point.
It's important to know this information to see if we feel any differently after the practice.
It's also important to notice if we judge ourselves for the way we feel and what other words may come to mind as we pass judgment on ourselves.
The practice of Yoga Nidra is known to reframe the mind, which is especially important when the chatter in our mind turns to self-loathing.
Let me ask you, how do you speak to yourself when no one else is listening?
Do you say things like: "I'm so stupid," "I'm not good enough," "I'm such a dumb-ass," or even harsher words?
Or am I the only one who speaks to myself in that way?
Do you know how it actually affects you on a deeper cellular level?
According to (very simplified) quantum physics, everything is energy, calibrated to vibrate at different frequencies. Each vibration is equivalent to a feeling. In that energetic world, there are only two types of vibrations: Positive energy & Negative energy.
So why does it matter, and what does it have to do with the power of words?
Masaru Emoto, a famous Japanese scientist, performed a series of tests on the effects words have on water using the concept that words have a vibrational impact.
He took water from the purest stream and polluted river in Japan for his experiments.
He then labeled the vials with words like love, appreciation, gratitude, while other vials were labeled with words like hate, you make me sick, or Hitler.
After 24 hours, he put the water of each labeled vial on a slide. He then froze each slide and looked at them using a microscope.
The results are incredible.
The crystals from the water labeled with positive emotions such as Love & Gratitude showed perfectly shaped hexagonal pure crystals. In contrast, feelings such as hate led to dark, mishappen crystals, no matter if the water was polluted or crystal clear to start with.
Check out the short video to see the effect words have on the water. It’s fascinating!
Since our bodies are made of 50-70%, imagine the power the words we tell ourselves has on us?
What now?
Here are three ways you can use words to heal and uplift:
Turn self-criticism into self-compassion
Notice what you tell yourself often to criticize yourself, even playfully - and think about what you would tell your best friend if they were saying that about themself. Talk to yourself as you would your best friend.
Self-compassion will help you turn your words around into positive inner dialogue that will benefit you, encourage you, and help you get to where you want to go.
I love you is a mantra.
Look at yourself in a mirror and tell yourself what you need/want to hear to uplift you.
In the 5-Day Dream Challenge I created, I invite the participants to stare at their own eyes in a bathroom mirror and tell themselves out loud: Their name, I love you, for 1 minute to start with. Then, do it for 21 days in a row and see if the relationship you have with yourself starts to change.
It sounds easy enough, right?
I'd love to hear your feedback and thoughts after doing that exercise.
Words matter
What words bring positivity to your whole being?
Write them down on your vision board, notepad, or better yet, on post-it notes that you place around the house and on your desk at work (if you're back at the office). Read them out loud when you see them:
Abundance,
Trust,
Love,
Bliss,
Appreciation,
Gratitude,
Ease,
Balanced,
Confidence,
Radiance,
Pleasure,
Empowerment
______________ Add your own here
Words like the ones above will raise your vibration, giving you the power to change your world.
Using words consciously will shift your energy and bring more of what you want in your life.
Words can heal, or words can hurt. Choose wisely!