More and more people know how to find their way to a yoga class, workshop or training or yoga holiday. But their lives also remain hectic, consisting of deadlines, a busy family, social contacts and always in a hurry. Taking a yoga class once a week is the quick fix for many to compensate for their further overcrowded life. But yoga is much more than that and by taking a class once a week will not, in the long run, give you the quiet, balanced, and happy life you are looking for.
In the old yoga philosophies we speak of elements that reinforce each other and are therefore necessary together for your change, transformation.
First, it is about moving, taking action with dedication, so that your inner fire burns again and you train and purify your body and mind. This is just as important as your ability to self-reflect and also your belief that, for example, yoga will take you further in your life to lead a balanced and happy life.
Tip to work on this every day:
In addition, self-study is important and this means, among other things, the realization that negative thoughts are of no use and that feelings are not thoughts. Love, anger, desire are moods. Recognize the feeling and realize that it will pass. You have thoughts but are not. If you do not give it energy and attention then it will not grow and you can actively change your patterns in emotions.
Tip to work on this every day:
Focus on practicing satisfaction, gratitude, and compassion. Sit comfortably, on the floor or on a chair, with your eyes closed and your back straight and relaxed. 25 times in your mind, inhale up the spine and breathe out down the spine. Feel that a space is created where you can keep your attention. Then at any point, stop at your heart and take one of the qualities of contentment, gratitude, and compassion. Feel it in your heart and keep your attention in your heart. Stay here in silence for 3 minutes and then feel for a moment. This is how you cultivate these positive sensations.
Finally, it is also an awareness of yourself and everything around you, this ensures a correct attitude towards everything that lives. Only then will you practice yoga in its entirety and you will gain insight into how you can live your life in such a way that it always offers you peace, balance and satisfaction, also outside your yoga mat. If you practice yoga in such a way, your life outside of your yoga class will eventually become less rushed and busy. You experience a pleasant feeling and know that this will take you further in life. Then you can make good choices more easily, you will find other things more important and you discover that yoga is a lifelong path that you walk instead of a quick fix to be and stay in balance.
For example, practice this affirmation as a tip:
“I do what it takes with intelligence and honesty and know what works for me. I do what I can and I am always learning. I accept my limits, situations and mistakes. “A very nice mantra to start with every day.
Kind regards, Namasté,
Manon Simonis
