As the year winds down and the holiday season draws near, we are often reminded of the importance of both giving and receiving. Whether it’s the gifts we share with others, the kindness we offer, or the help we allow ourselves to accept, this time of year brings a unique opportunity to reflect on these essential aspects of life. Yoga and mindful habits can help us find a balance between both, ensuring that we give with an open heart while also creating space to receive what we need.
Let’s explore one powerful yoga pose and a simple daily habit to help you cultivate this balance throughout December.
Yoga Pose: Camel Pose (Ustrasana) — Opening the Heart to Both Give and Receive
Camel Pose is a beautiful heart-opening posture that encourages both physical and emotional openness. In this pose, your chest lifts toward the sky, your shoulders draw back, and to create space in the front of the body, inviting a sense of generosity, both in how you give to the world and how you allow the world to give to you.
When you open your heart, you make space for love and connection to flow both outward and inward. Ustrasana is a perfect pose for cultivating the balance of giving and receiving, as it encourages us to stay grounded while reaching out to others, while also fostering the vulnerability required to receive kindness and support in return.
How to Practice Camel Pose:
Start in a kneeling position with your knees hip-width apart and your thighs perpendicular to the floor.
Place your hands on your lower back, engage your core, and gently press your hips forward.
Slowly begin to arch your back, roll your shoulders back, keeping your chest lifted toward the sky.
Keep your neck relaxed, but avoid collapsing your chest forward. Focus on creating space in your heart center.
Hold the pose for 3–15 breaths, deepening into the stretch as you exhale. Come out of the pose slowly by lifting your chest first, then bringing your hands to your hips and returning to a neutral position like childs pose nor seated position.
After practicing Camel Pose, take a moment to feel the openness in your heart and reflect on the balance of both giving and receiving in your life.
Daily Habit: Practicing Gratitude with Intention
In order to maintain the balance between giving and receiving, it’s essential to cultivate a daily practice of gratitude. When we appreciate what we have and acknowledge the kindness we receive, it becomes easier to both give generously and accept graciously.
One simple habit you can adopt this month is to start each day with a gratitude practice. By consciously focusing on the things you are thankful for, you create a mindset of abundance, which naturally invites more opportunities to give and receive.
How to Start a Gratitude Habit:
Morning Reflection: Every morning, take 3–5 minutes to list three things you’re grateful for. They can be big or small—perhaps it’s your health, a warm cup of tea, or the love of family and friends.
Incorporate Yoga: After your gratitude reflection, move into a short yoga sequence, including Camel Pose, to physically open your heart and amplify the positive energy of your gratitude.
Evening Gratitude Check-In: At the end of the day, take a moment to reflect on the ways you received support or kindness. It could be a compliment, an unexpected favor, or simply a moment of peace. Acknowledging these moments helps you stay open to receiving in the future.
By combining the heart-opening practice of Camel Pose with a simple daily habit of gratitude, you’ll create space in your life for both giving and receiving. This December, embrace the flow of generosity and receptivity, and remember that both are essential to nurturing your well-being and your connections with others.
Happy holidays, and may your practice and gratitude bring you peace and balance this season!
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