FEELING LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO STAY ABOVE WATER?
- By Yoga Studio Calgary
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- 26 Feb, 2018
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The struggle is as real as you choose to make it. A struggle is
tough, draining, uncomfortable. Struggle does not generally lead to
the result you desire. When you have the courage to exist and live
within your unique state of alignment, the easeful, abundant,
effortless flow of life is present.
There is a practice that exists off your yoga mat. It is a practice of life, a practice to know happiness, contentment, joy, and peace. A practice to experience fulfillment and adventure, to reach freedom and hear wisdom. This practice happens through direction from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and specifically, the Yamas and Niyamas. Personal restraints and personal practices.
Exploring these one by one, we grow to recognize the patterns that show up in our lives. We start to see the roadblocks and self sabotaging we set up.
We strive to establish a life where we are "in the flow". In this place, life feels easeful and joyous. The Yamas and Niyamas are your life road map to this place. Although we do not arrive there by striving, we arrive there by witnessing our lives unfolding and noticing how we are being guided.
Ahimsa (non-harming), when practiced; offers us the balance in life needed to release the struggle to keep your head above water. A practice of Ahimsa creates the life grounding for the chaos to lift.
How do you find a practice of Ahimsa? First you must acknowledge that you deserve this grounding and state of balance. It takes courage to come to this place. The courage comes from releasing the things, thoughts, people in your life you may need to. This is an act of self-love, enhancing your practice of Ahimsa, non-harming. How do you know what the rights things, thoughts, people to let go of are? Begin to notice, observe, pay attention to your inner guidance, patterns that present themselves. What is there that is making you feel powerless, helpless? Does it need to be there. Never forget that you can question anything that comes up. When you have recognized any patterns, heard your inner voice, ask yourself; Can I let this go? Then simply breathe it out. By clearing out the clutter, you make room and space for clear energy to present itself. You make room and space to fill with feelings and noticing your accomplishments, love, joyful moments, gratitude.
When we are in balance and living within our unique alignment, we immediately live in Ahimsa (non-harming)
There is a practice that exists off your yoga mat. It is a practice of life, a practice to know happiness, contentment, joy, and peace. A practice to experience fulfillment and adventure, to reach freedom and hear wisdom. This practice happens through direction from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and specifically, the Yamas and Niyamas. Personal restraints and personal practices.
Exploring these one by one, we grow to recognize the patterns that show up in our lives. We start to see the roadblocks and self sabotaging we set up.
We strive to establish a life where we are "in the flow". In this place, life feels easeful and joyous. The Yamas and Niyamas are your life road map to this place. Although we do not arrive there by striving, we arrive there by witnessing our lives unfolding and noticing how we are being guided.
Ahimsa (non-harming), when practiced; offers us the balance in life needed to release the struggle to keep your head above water. A practice of Ahimsa creates the life grounding for the chaos to lift.
How do you find a practice of Ahimsa? First you must acknowledge that you deserve this grounding and state of balance. It takes courage to come to this place. The courage comes from releasing the things, thoughts, people in your life you may need to. This is an act of self-love, enhancing your practice of Ahimsa, non-harming. How do you know what the rights things, thoughts, people to let go of are? Begin to notice, observe, pay attention to your inner guidance, patterns that present themselves. What is there that is making you feel powerless, helpless? Does it need to be there. Never forget that you can question anything that comes up. When you have recognized any patterns, heard your inner voice, ask yourself; Can I let this go? Then simply breathe it out. By clearing out the clutter, you make room and space for clear energy to present itself. You make room and space to fill with feelings and noticing your accomplishments, love, joyful moments, gratitude.
When we are in balance and living within our unique alignment, we immediately live in Ahimsa (non-harming)
Inhale: 1-2-3-4-5. Exhale: 1-2-3-4-5. If you’ve been doing breathing exercises to feel calmer, happier, and more focused, you know how soothing yoga is.
Despite being an ancient practice, yoga has become increasingly popular, and for good reason. It is suitable for people of all ages and effective for treating chronic conditions.
Interestingly, scientists have discovered that this practice has several mental health benefits. Let’s explore the relationship between yoga and well-being, as well as the evidence-based benefits of yoga.
Winter is here, it is that time of the year again when waking up early and practicing yoga becomes a difficult task and mostly ends up compromising it for an hour of extra sleep. But there are lesser-known facts about why we should practice yoga during winters and how it benefits us.
Spring is nature’s rebirth. Every year, when the soft green buds and the delicate pink blossoms appear on the cherry trees, we are given the opportunity to renew ourselves. In our yoga practice, this can be through a physical detox, a mental reboot or both.
So, it’s THAT time of year again. The cards are out, flowers and chocolates in the shops, and the candlelit tables are all booked up weeks in advance. With good reason, many of us find it all rather superficial and insincere. Perhaps some of us might join the cynical chorus asking why we need a specific day to express our affection for someone else. We may even go as far as to accuse the the forces of capitalism of driving demand for “stuff”. But I’m not here to monologue on the meaningfulness of St. Valentine’s Day, and I’m certainly not here to criticise anyone for wanting to express themselves or to show affection for someone else (we all need to be doing this more, not less).
Can yoga reduce anxiety?Yes! Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of yoga in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. In one study, women who participated in a three-month yoga program experienced significant improvements in perceived stress, anxiety, and depression. In another study, ten weeks of yoga helped reduce stress and anxiety for participants.
Happy New Year yogis! I’ve often found this time of year to be especially powerful in enhancing my yoga practice. Of course, yoga is always a powerful practice, but the gift of the new year brings deep reflection and introspection that can amplify processes of self-inquiry, expanding our spiritual awareness and commitment to yogic living.
