Yoga changes your brain. Studies are beginning to show this as fact, something that long time practitioners of yoga already knew. Even after practicing for a short time, people will begin to notice results. This is due in part to the meditative effect of yoga, which allows you to focus your mind by connecting it to your breath. I often tell my students, most of the benefits of yoga are found in the breath. We learn it’s ok to slow down and our mind and body enjoy the break.
Most of the stress and anxiety in our bodies is created from the thoughts in our minds. Our actions and reactions are often initiated without any thought at all. Yoga teaches us it’s ok to slow down and take a second to think, rather than acting impulsively. Whether you’re choosing what to eat, how to respond to someone or how to plan your day, yoga can help change the way you think so that you have a more positive experience.
When you start doing yoga you expect certain physical changes. As with the physical, the mental takes some time to develop. A true yogi isn’t measured by how far and perfect they can get into a pose, but by how they present themselves to the world and how they treat themselves. Sadly there are some people who do yoga and have a beautiful physical practice, but are lacking the true nature of a yogi. They haven’t found the real spirit of the practice and yoga holds many of them, more than I could ever list.
We thrive on patience. It’s a fast paced world out there and our culture has gotten into the mode of got to have it now. Cultivating patience is hard, but the rewards are worth it. If you simply slow down and wait, you’ll still get the same results. The only thing missing will be the frustration of trying to be first. Patience is learned through our practice by working towards a certain pose or building the strength to make it through class. Take a deep breath and exhale slowly. Take the time you have to wait and use it to check in. Notice while you’re calm, how frantic the chaos tends to be around you. How miserable people look when they’re rushing and not caring about their affect on people. Create a moment of bliss for yourself by being patient.
We listen fully, without interrupting. People love it when you listen to them, especially when you make eye contact and don’t interrupt them. It makes them feel important and shows you care about what they have to say. Don’t look at your phone, don’t let your eyes wander but really listen. You’ll be amazed at what you can find out and the interesting conversations you can get yourself into. Yoga teaches us to treat others how we would like to be treated, to be kind and considerate. Listening to someone embodies both of these traits. Yoga has taught us to turn off all the random thoughts in our head so we have more space to listen fully to others.
We rationalize before we panic. Taking a second to take a breath and calm down will help you make better decisions. When we don’t stop to think, we make rash decisions that aren’t always the best. Even pausing for a few seconds can make a difference. Yoga teaches us that we have time and that it’s ok to slow down. The world won’t leave us behind. The difference of a few seconds can have a major impact on a situation.
We find the positive in an impossible situation, because we know nothing is permanent. Even if you’re in a situation that totally sucks, it will pass. It’s how you endure that situation that makes the difference. If you suffer through it and complain the whole time it will only make it all the worse. If you can’t find anything positive about what you’re going through, just remember to breathe and know that it can’t last forever. It’s like when you’re in plank for the longest time. It feels like it will never end and it doesn’t feel good, but like all things you eventually come out of it. You even end up being a bit stronger than when you went in.
We live in the moment. This moment is all you’ve got. If you’re thinking about the past or focusing on the future, you’ll miss a lot of stuff. Being in the moment is better for us emotionally. We aren’t caught up in something that isn’t really happening, but focusing on what’s in front of us. Less stress for the mind makes for a happier body.
We love to share our positive experiences. Whether it’s trying to get someone to try yoga for the first time or getting someone to take a deep breath and calm down, yogi’s like to share our happiness. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always pure bliss when you’re a yogi, but we aim to not dwell on the bad stuff. Yoga is good at opening your eyes so that you can truly see the world and the people in it. It’s not always a pretty picture. Wanting to share yoga so that others can find bliss like you is natural. We don’t like to see others suffer when we know there is a way out.
We know when to say no. Yoga teaches you that it’s ok to take care of yourself. It teaches you that you don’t have to please everyone, especially if it only makes you suffer. Learn the art of communication. Tell people thank you for the offer, but you can’t do it. Don’t make up excuses, but be honest. You aren’t being selfish when it comes to taking care of your body and your mind. In class you know when to back off of a pose so you don’t get hurt or overdo it. The same applies to your schedule.
Yoga isn’t a magical pill. It takes work to get your mind to change for the better. Not being harsh on yourself when you fail is priority. Mistakes will be made and bad days will happen, but what’s important is that you try again. Eventually all the good mental habits you pick up from this practice will become the norm. That is why yoga is a good daily practice. You’re reminded every day how great your brain can feel and function when you give it a break.
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