Mindset Matters

“You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That's the only thing that you should be trying to control.”

- Eat Pray Love

Performing yoga asanas (poses) are important, but it's just as necessary to have mind + body connection.

Without the connection, we are simply exercising. With connection of our mind, this is when we are practicing yoga.

Below are some ways to get started in improving our mindset

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Acceptance

This is a gentle reminder that you are so blessed with the body and mind that you have today. By accepting who we are, we become more aware of what (or whom) may be limiting our path to self growth. Some days may feel easier to do this than others, and that is okay. With time, we are able to see where we need to make the right changes.

Change the way you look at things

By changing our perspectives, we’re looking at the usual but with a fresh set of eyes. This can help to transform mental roadblocks into opportunities, break rigid thinking patterns, and allow us to see solutions that were previously overlooked.

Let go of control

When we fall asleep at night, we are letting go and allowing our mind/bodies to relax into sleep. This is also fitting for most circumstances in life - sometimes we just need to trust and let go of the need to control in situations. When we let go of control, our mind and body is able to experience the healing that it needs. We avoid chronic exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout.

Retrain your way of thinking

We have molded our way of thinking by our experiences in life, what we’ve been taught throughout the years, and what we’ve gotten used to. Like an onion, we need to peel back these layers that include our fears or self destructive thoughts so that we can get to the core of our being. Replace these layers with new layers; the kind that will uplift the soul with encouragement to be our highest, greatest good.

The way out, is in

Sometimes we may look for reasons why we can’t make changes that we know will be good for us, or we may look for reasons why we just can’t let go of our fears, resentments, negative thoughts, patterns, etc. In time, the more we get to know ourselves and reflect on where we are and how we want to feel, the closer we get to inner and outer healing.

Trust your inner teacher

By peeling back these layers we can get to the core of our being, where our soul and inner self lie. Our soul wants to be heard, we just need to listen. We can learn from several books, teachers, gurus, but at the end of the day our inner teacher knows what’s best for us.

Stay present with patience

Keep your mind focused on the present, not on the past or the future. Stay patient with yourself, give your mind and body some grace. Practice meditation to get started. Growth and personal revolution doesn’t happen overnight, but keep the faith and it will come before you know it.

Do more of what makes you happy

Make an effort to do at least 3 things that you love each day, and if you can’t do that, make a journal (internally or externally) and write down 5 things that you are grateful for. Keep a list of goal(s) for yourself to look forward to each day (ex. simply making your bed). Make affirmations to repeat to yourself in the morning and at night. Meditate. Do some yoga. Go for a walk. Practice deep breathing. Hug someone!

Make the decision

Make the decision to keep this change, decide to make it a commitment. Everyday we have the choice to work on our own growth. 💛

“Change your thoughts and you can change your world.” - Norman Vincent Peale

“The soul always knows what to do to heal itself, the challenge is to silence the mind.”

— Carolyn Myss

Mindset + Meditation within Movement

While we practice our asanas (poses) it is important to maintain mind/body connection. If we are in a pose physically but not in it mentally, we could injure ourselves if we don’t slow down. Mentally, we are spacing out on our yoga practice. Emotionally, we are not flowing with the moments and may be getting impatient by anticipating the next thing (then the next, then the next, etc.)

Some helpful tips for anyone who may struggle with this:

  • It’s normal and I promise you’re not the only one

  • You are still a bad a** yogi (and person in general, yoga aside)

  • Some days are easier than others

  • These are moments that are challenging you to be present, to find things in this moment now to let your attention be focused on. Because this moment will be gone before you know it

  • Slow down, that pose or next thing will still be there

  • Laugh about it, don’t judge yourself. You caught yourself doing it, now just pull yourself back!

  • Take a deep breath, re-center

  • Bring attention to what you’re hearing, seeing, smelling, feeling

  • And begin again. You got this!