Self Care Toolkit Essentials

I'm getting so excited for next week when the Self Sustaining workshop begins! I can't wait to share the subtle shifts in our habits that can change how we experience our days. I'm going to be laying out an entire buffet of simple self care choices and we'll sample them together to find where you should be investing your time and energy to have the most substantial impact. Here are the simple tools we'll need to get started:

Water Bottle

Massage Oil

Blanket

Dry Brush

Candle

You may have many of these already and we'll put them to good use this month. For the items you may not have already, here are a few things to look for.

Water Bottle

Choose a refillable container that is easy to clean and easy for you to carry with you. We'll be discussing the benefits of hydration and seeing what works best for your body. You'll be spending a lot of time with this tool, so make sure you have something you enjoy using. You'll want to have this ready for the first week. Sometimes I fill up more than one to make it easy to move through my day. I leave one in the car, one on my desk, and keep one to carry. If you think this strategy might be for you, make sure you have more than one bottle. I've even been known to use quart size mason jars with a plastic lid in a dishwashing pinch!

Massage oil

You'll want to choose a food grade oil since we'll be using this to hydrate our skin and nourish ourselves deeply. I'll be using coconut oil since it is already sunny and in the 70's here in San Jose. If you run warm or are already experiencing spring, this may be a good choice for you too. I pick mine up at the grocery store in the oils aisle. However, if you generally feel cool or are still having wintery weather, a sesame oil will be a better choice. You'll want a plain sesame oil, not toasted or flavored. We'll be experimenting with this in week 1.

Blanket

We are going to use this as a cushion during meditation and as a prop during some yoga sequences. The blanket you choose needs to stay folded well and not be too slippery. Cotton blankets and quilts tend to be excellent for this. Many yoga studios use colorful Mexican blankets that are easy to find online if that interests you. You'll want to have this ready for week 1.

Dry Brush

Here's another tool that should feel good in your hand. We'll try dry brushing in week 3 so you have some time to find the right brush for you, whether that means one that fits in your hand with a strap or one with a handle. These can be found in drugstores and online.

Candle

Choose a candle you love. It can be scented or unscented, colorful or simple. Make sure you have a safe container and a way to light your candle. We'll be using this in week 4.

I've gathered together the toolkit essentials from around my home and I'm looking forward to getting started with you next week. If you have any questions about the supplies needed, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

In the meantime, I'm wishing you vitality and joy!