Yoga is a tool on the path to clarity. With awareness in the body, we feel a sense of balance. It is then possible to sit in meditation for longer periods without bodily distractions. An overactive mind creates distractions to shift focus from the objective. When the mind is still, the body reverses in age and we can tackle obstacles that used to overcome us. Through yoga, I found my voice. Here are five ways yoga can clear your mind.
Discipline and routine create confidence.
Patanjali is my man (or woman - this text is ancient), and in the Yoga Sutras (ancient texts) there are Yamas, which is the support structure to your best self. Ahimsa is the commitment to non-violence. This one was a tough one for me and still is to this day at times. Non-violence means being kind to SELF and others by doing what makes your heart sing unapologetically because what you love aligns with your purpose. If you want chocolate, eat the chocolate. Punishing yourself for eating, it creates negativity and gives power to the negative concept of eating chocolate. *Chocolate is delicious if that’s what you're into! The negative mindset attached to consuming chocolate is what makes one fat, not the actual chocolate itself. Feelings of shame and guilt release cortisol into the bloodstream which creates visceral fat, more commonly known as belly fat. Your body ends up protecting its organs from your mind’s negativity. Satya is being true to yourself and others. Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt. Open your eyes and honor your intuition. When we love what we do, it makes each moment and our pockets richer because it aligns with the purpose of our life. Be true to yourself by thinking back to childhood and asking what you loved to do then. Brahmacharya means to conserve your energy and practice moderate sexual intercourse. There is only so much butter to spread on your toast, and when it is spread too thin, so are you. Let go of what isn’t serving you with Aparigraha. Keep what serves your life, as it will make what you have more valuable.
Commitment to being a good person.
Yamas are the commitments to your best version. Clean, minimalize, and purify your thoughts with Saucha. Positivity creates a positive life. When our mind, space, and body are cluttered with impurities, it creates distraction. Find contentment with where you are in life to get you where you want to be, and have gratitude for Santosha. When we are in a state of gratitude, it is impossible to be in a state of suffering. Next time the world is caving in, make a gratitude list to lift yourself back up. Burn that shit off w Tapas. The struggles in your life are there to teach you a lesson. Open your eyes, and shine light on pain in order to give it the attention it needs. Feel the burn, because nothing lasts forever and once this hurdle is overcome, you will be better because of it. Svadhyaya is taking a good, hard look in the mirror. Look into your eyes and say, “I love you.” It's the commitment to self-study. Ishvara Pranidhana is surrender. Surrender and realize there is a divine path in your life. When shit hits the fan, know it is for something more than what can be identified.
That flow, though.
Asana is a yoga posture. It is meant to allow comfortable breath. If you can’t breathe, the purpose is defeated. The morning routine of Asana sets my day for greatness. I had never felt comfortable in my body, so I would disassociate from it often. Asana brought me back into my body. The body is merely a vessel, but we give it way too much credit. With Asana, you will see that the body is just a shell that conducts what the mind thinks. Asana unclogs the energy that gets backed up. When energy is backed up, we feel stuck and anxious. Meditation is the reward of asana because asana is practiced to be able to sit in meditation without distractions of the mind. Asana burns through the distraction. When a negative thought or pain arises during practice, breathe into it in order to let it go. Mental dis-ease creates physical ailments, and you may experience vivid memories or feelings coming up (especially in hip openers!). When the pain is acknowledged, it stops trying to get our attention.
Breathe.
Everything is connected to your breath. Shallow breathing triggers the sympathetic nervous system, also known as fight or flight. This releases poisonous hormones as a warning sign to our body, and when they are released regularly, we deteriorate. Deep belly breathing nourishes and creates a feeling of abundance. When in a state of abundance, we can breathe more easily. How we breathe creates our life.
Giving is life.
Contribution is a human need - not want, but need. When we give unconditionally, it releases the feel-good hormone oxytocin, and we feel better than if we were to receive it. Our brain rewards us for giving. The feel-good wave lasts for a couple of hours after the fact, so it can be called a drug. When giving up a bad habit, it needs to be replaced with something else or the habit comes back with shame sprinkles. Replace the addiction with giving. It will last longer, and the act of kindness will inspire others to do the same. You are an example. Be the voice of change.
How will you be remembered? Do something kind for a stranger today.
I would love to hear your story. We are all students AND teachers. By connecting and sharing, we can change the world.
*Cacao is a superfood that is also an antidepressant. Many chocolates in grocery stores are marketed as chocolate but are really just wax and sugar. Feed your soul the good stuff by making your own at home. If you are looking for a fresh brick from Guatemala, send me an email. My favorite cacao comes from Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, and I can get it for you fresh from an eco-friendly source!