Hygge and mindful yoga practices
Create more happiness and contentment in your life
December and the beginning of the holiday season feels like the perfect time to add some hygge to our lives.
In case you’re not familiar with the Danish word hygge (pronounced hoo-ga), I’ll try and define it as best as I can. I first heard the word about 5 years ago when the book, The Little Book of Hygge, the Danish way to live well by Meik Wiking of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen was one of the top books in all the bookstores. Did you know that Danish people are considered among the happiest in the world? A lot of credit for that is given to this concept of hygge. It seemed like exactly what i needed at the time, so I immediately bought a copy of the book. I often keep it near me so I can read bits of it here and there, and it’s a great little book to leave out for company when they stay over.
There’s no direct English translation, but hygge is all about atmosphere, coziness, and creating intimate surroundings. It’s about looking after yourself, being still, living in the moment, feeling safe, and connecting with others. It is about self-reflection and authentic, deep conversations with loved ones. It’s candles, warm baths, and fuzzy slippers. I particularly like the Norwegian translation of the word hygge, “well-being”.
Sounds a lot like a mindfulness practice, doesn’t it? Before I start a slow mindful yoga practice or meditation, I create a welcoming space (or “setting the container” as it’s often called in yoga circles) - I light a candle, I set up my mat and cushions, and make sure the room is quiet. I have my journal supplies nearby so I can write when I’m done. I run a warm bath after my nighttime practice. It’s all hygge.
One of the first concepts Meik describes in his book is about lighting and how important it is to light a room correctly. We often don’t think about lighting, but just dimming the lights or adding a candle can affect our nervous system and create that calming effect. So, if you light a candle as part of your yoga practice you’re starting to create a space more conducive to calmness.
If you create a moment of hygge, for example making yourself a hot cup of tea and holding it to watch the steam rising, you’re also engaging in a mindful practice. Moving into child’s pose on the yoga mat and feeling that connection to the earth is nourishing to the soul and our wellbeing and is also hygge.
I love The Hygge Manifesto in The Little Book of Hygge. Notice how similar it is to a yoga practice:
Atmosphere - creating a safe space, lighting some candles, quiet..
Presence - Turn off your phone and be here, right now. The ultimate in mindfulness.
Pleasure - Engage in a self-care practice that nourishes you.
Equality - Everyone is safe in this space. Yoga is for every body.
Gratitude - Use affirmations, mantras, give thanks, and write in a journal.Practicing gratitude has a huge impact on happiness.
Harmony - Living in alignment with integrity.
Comfort - Time to relax, get some fluffy blankets and pillows and breathe deeply.
Truce - This is a time to let go of judgement, both of yourself and others.
Togetherness - Building relationships with yourself and others.
Shelter - This is a place of belonging, peace and security. Our yoga practice is a safe space where we can shelter ourselves from the outside world and its stresses, even if it’s only for a brief time.
The next time you engage in any mindful yoga practice - movement, meditation, or reflective writing - see if you can add some elements of hygge. At this time of year especially, we’re looking for more relaxation, coziness and comfort in our lives. Add some candles or lower the lights, have some soft blankets or pillows available, put on some quiet music, and move slowly through your practice. Then make yourself a cup of tea, wrap yourself in a comfy blanket, and write in your gratitude journal.
Try adding some hygge to your mindful yoga practice and your life and allow yourself to sink into the stillness and peace. Give yourself a present of presence this holiday season.
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