March Mat-Ness Bracket

Hello and happy March Mat-ness! This is our very own version of March Madness- the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, but instead of competing- we’re practicing. Each week, you’re invited to pick a bracket (or two) and advance your favorite, most supportive practices to the next round. At the end of March, everyone who completes a bracket will have a chance to win a KML giveaway full of my favorite things.

10% more comfortable: Checking in with your body (and life) and taking simple efforts to make yourself just a bit more comfortable.

Wiggle, Jiggle, Shake if off: Think of the way a baby deer gets spooked and then pops up and shakes it off. Let that ish go.

Stay, Shift, Skip: A “permission slip” to check in with yourself and deciding to stay, shift or skip (the pose, the task, the approach, etc.).

Pause between the doing: The practice of not rushing.

Less screentime: Did you know the average American spends more than 7 hours a day looking at a screen? Reducing screen time has been linked to reducing eye strain, headaches and neck pain as well as improving sleep and posture. Plus, less screentime can reduce stress, anxiety and depression and increase opportunities for connection and creativity.

Choose support: A yoga block? Making an appointment with your therapist? Adding a snack into your daily routine? What kind of support can you consider adding to your life?

Hush the inner critic: Try giving your inner critic a name, acknowledging how (INSERT NAME) may be trying to help or protect you. Reassure the inner critic that you’ve got this or let it know that kind of dialogue isn’t helpful and ask it to take a back seat.

Meditate/Journal: Did you know these two practices can cultivate self-awareness, enhance emotional regulation and help reduce stress by helping participants anchor in the present moment and have an opportunity for emotional processing?

Reminder: These are invitations to practice- not a quest to be perfect. Take what you need, leave the rest.