Creating Sanctuary: A Gentle Invitation to Nurture Your Body and Soul Through Recovery
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
As we move through Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to offer something both powerful and simple: a loving reminder that your home can become a place of deep comfort and healing. While medical care and support are essential, there is another kind of medicine that can be found much closer—the sanctuary you create for yourself.
This is not about doing more or pushing harder. This is about slowing down, coming home to your body, and tending gently to your senses.
Whether you're still in treatment, in the early stages of recovery or years past treatment, your nervous system craves one essential message: you are safe, held, and worthy of comfort. And what better place to begin than your own sacred space?
The Power of Sanctuary on the Mat
Think of your yoga or rest practice not just as movement or relaxation, but as a ritual—a gift you offer yourself. A soft place to land.
I invite you to consider these suggestions—not as a to-do list, but as gentle whispers, reminding you that small changes can make a big difference.
Creating Your Home Sanctuary: No Pressure, Just Possibility
1. Where Do You Practice?
Could you choose one spot in your home to return to again and again for your yoga or relaxation practice? It doesn’t need to be a perfect studio space. It might be a corner of your bedroom, near a window, or simply where the light feels good. If your mat can’t live there all the time, that’s okay. It’s the intention of returning to the same space that builds ritual.
2. Lighting
Natural light is soothing, but if that’s not possible, try soft, mellow lighting—lamps with warm bulbs, salt lamps, fairy lights. Lighting can completely change the feeling of a space, helping you to soften and let go.
3. Touch: Comfort Is Key
For lying-down poses and relaxation, try using a sheepskin rug, a thick blanket, or even a cozy quilt. Let your body feel cushioned and held. Consider wearing loose-fitting, soft clothing—a comfy t-shirt, no tight waistbands, and a well-fitting bra that feels supportive, not restrictive. This is about being kind to your body, especially after all it's been through.
💡 Safety Tip: Avoid doing standing poses on a sheepskin or rug, as it could be slippery.
4. Smell: The Magic of Aromatic Anchoring
What do you smell in your space? Scent can powerfully anchor us into a state of calm. Consider using a mist diffuser with pure essential oils (Be sure to avoid synthetic fragrances.)
When you use the same scent each time you practice, your brain begins to associate that smell with relaxation. Over time, simply smelling that scent—even when you're not on the mat—can help you drop into a calmer state. This is called aromatic anchoring, and it’s one of the most beautiful ways to support your nervous system.
5. Rhythm & Routine
The body loves rhythm. When possible, consider weaving your mat time into your daily routine. You might try habit stacking—linking your yoga practice to another part of your day. For example:
“I wake up, drink warm water, brush my teeth, step onto my mat for a gentle session, and then I have breakfast.”
It doesn’t need to be long or complex—just consistent. A wonderful book to explore this idea further is Atomic Habits by James Clear.
🕊 A Final Word: Be Gentle with Yourself
Please remember—there is no right or wrong way to do this.
This is your sanctuary. Let it evolve slowly. Let it feel nourishing. If something doesn’t resonate, let it go. If one small thing brings comfort—keep it. Recovery is not a straight line, and neither is creating a sacred space.
By taking the time to nurture yourself in this way, you are doing something profound: telling your nervous system, “It’s okay to feel safe here. I am supported.”
💬 I’d Love to Hear from You
Have you created a sanctuary space at home? Even just a corner or a tiny ritual? I’d be honoured to hear your thoughts or see photos of what you’ve made—no pressure, just if it feels good to share.
Together, let’s reclaim recovery as something that happens not just in hospitals or clinics, but in the quiet, gentle spaces we create for ourselves.
With love and softness,
India
Founder of Gentle Recovery for Breast Cancer
I do have a place, where I put my mat to exercise. It s just beside a large window, from where I can see the trees in my garden. I feel protected by the window, and still I can see outside.😊