I think it’s safe to say we all want joy.
But what is it? How do we get it? Joy can feel out of reach — and even confusing.
I was intrigued to see a local yoga studio gearing up to launch a six-week program with joy at its core.
Big Power Yoga has locations in Houston and Denver and, thanks to COVID-19, a widespread virtual following. Their program is called TRANSFORM: Big’s 6 Week Journey to Self-Discovery. It’s a 40-day series that’s heavy on yoga, meditation, self-inquiry and weekly group meetings that emphasize discussion and connection. I’ve done these kinds of systems before, and they’re powerful. The intention is to guide participants “back to joy; back to whatever it means to live your biggest life possible.”
I thought that sounded enticing, so I told Big’s local co-owner, Nancy Perry, that I needed to know more. (You know, asking for a friend.)
Perry is a good person to ask. She’s co-founder of three businesses: BIG Power Yoga; Out Here Yoga; and Live Alive Adventures. She’s a life-coach, a highly trained and skilled yoga teacher, and a wife and mom with two young kids. She is seriously devoted to her own growth and has been shepherding folks along with her for over a decade. She’s warm, kind and powerful. I’ve written about her before because when she talks, it’s worth listening. And then sharing.
So, I picked Perry’s brain to know more about what joy looks like to her. Here’s what I learned.
Heed the opposing forces.
Perry points to two beliefs that will actively sabotage our ability to feel joy: believing that joy is a luxury that we can have later when circumstances are ideal, or once we’ve “earned it,” and believing we don’t deserve it.
Contrary to both these points, Perry considers joy a birthright. She says, “Joy is part of our essence.”
In her view, disregarding our inner narratives that say otherwise and integrating a core belief that we’re always worthy and deserving of joy is vital. Then, adjusting our focus and practicing joy can go a long way.
Remember.
Perry says joy is part of our natural essence and design. We lose sight of it as we age and life bears down, but if we look back to when we were kids, it can be easier to spot what lit us up.
Perry says reflecting on what inspired us, drew us in and sparked joy when we were young can be helpful. Identifying how those bright spots made us feel can point us toward where more joy is available now. Look back, and then start looking around.
Create little moments of joy.
While Perry believes we should work toward big joyful events, like weddings, birthdays and special occasions, she says life “feels more fulfilling when we are disciplined enough to create and focus on little moments of joy.”
How?
“This could be as simple as carrying your favorite book with you and reading it when you are in line somewhere rather than scrolling on your phone,” she says. “It could be taking time out of the day to be distraction-free with nature or with children. It could be adding in time with friends each week or taking five-minute dance breaks throughout the day to your favorite songs. It could be watching a comedy special on TV rather than more of the same news you have been watching all day,” Perry says.
A lot of us probably know what gives us joy and experience more of it than we realize. Just getting a better sense for it can set us up to appreciate and feel it more.
This is worth some reflection and self-inquiry. Of course, not all moments are meant to be joyous. May as well take as many as we can get!
TRANSFORM: Big’s 6-week Journey to Self-Discovery begins Jan. 24. Participants can choose whether to take part virtually or in-person. The program is free for Big members, $175 for nonmembers. Information is available at bigpoweryoga.com.