Are you a sensitive type?

Some of us are just a bit more sensitive to the world around us.

Sensitive people, or ‘empaths’ don’t have the usual filters that others have so they tend to be sponges for other peoples emotions or physical symptoms.

Big crowds can be draining, they often experience fatigue, and other peoples anger and stress can drain them. Society will often give them signs that they are not coping. For example in their workplace sensitive qualities may not be appreciated, such as true compassion and deeply caring. Empaths get a signal that should ‘toughen up’ and not be so sensitive. This is not helpful or useful for empowering empaths.

Being sensitive doesn’t mean we are flawed in any way. In fact, if we get curious about ourselves, we notice that this sensitive quality is our gift which allows us to truly connect with people and nature in a deep way.

Dr Judith Orloff MD author of the Empaths Survival Guide is a psychiatrist and an empath. She found that these patients where what she calls ‘emotional or physical empaths.’ She writes about how highly sensitive people can embrace their sensitive qualities and protect themselves to feel empowered.

If you relate to this, you are not weird or crazy - you are simply a sensitive person with a gift that you can protect, develop and successfully manage. Personally I have found that embracing my sensitive qualities and learning boundaries to protect them has helped me really get clear on my purpose in life as a yoga teacher. Truly connecting with people and supporting others to flourish as empaths brings me so much joy in my daily lifes work! Being an empath is a wonderful gift once we learn to embrace or unique inner qualities.

Upcoming events:

Saturday 12 October at 9.30am - 12.30pm ‘Yoga and Wellbeing workshop’ - Caring For Yourself . Learn yoga and breathing techniques to help centre ourselves, protect ourselves, set healthy boundaries and release stress absorbed from others. Learn more and book your spot at the link below.

Jo Jarden is a certified yoga teacher and personal trainer at Heart & Mind Yoga in Christchurch. She holds wellbeing workshops incorporating yoga and wellbeing wisdom and science for reducing stress, and living a more fulfilling life.