Attaining Health Through Yoga

Yoga emphasizes a holistic approach to health which includes physical exercise, diet, proper elimination, deep breathing, rest, relaxation techniques, and meditation.  Yoga teaches us to look deeply at ourselves without judgment.  Yoga teaches us that the human being is more than just a body.  Each person is a unique individual.  We are each a breathing and thinking being made up of complex emotions, appetites and desires.

Attaining Health and staying healthy is more than a matter of good diet, taking vitamins and medicine, finding surgical cures or even doing various physical exercises. More crucial to wellbeing than any of these factors is keeping a healthy state of mind.  One way I keep a healthy state of mind is by noticing my thoughts or noticing when I am rushing around or when I am tense.  If I find my back and neck start to ache from tension it reminds me that my mind is most likely racing along with my body.  When this happens, the only person I am harming is myself. The yogis say, “The mind governs the body.”

In yoga philosophy there are 5 restraints that yogis use to guide the mind/thoughts. This is part of attaining health. These restraints also guide behavior. The first restraint, or Yama, is called Ahimsa (non-harming-in thoughts, words or deeds to ourselves and others).  It seems pretty easy to practice non-harming but the reality is that the restraints can be difficult, especially when it comes to ourselves.  For example, with me, I want to get everything done and the sooner the better. But when I push too hard or rush, the tension creeps in and I start to feel the ache of it in my body.  Intuitively I know that it is not always the best thing for me.  It is true that what we want is not always what we need.  Through yoga practice I know that I must treat myself with care or I will get sick.  I am responsible for my own health.

To attain health, I must ask myself questions such as, “Am I living in the future or past?” , “How can I be more present?”  “What am I doing that is keeping my energy level low?”  I must be honest with myself.  Non-harming (Ahimsa) goes hand in hand with the second restraint, Satya (truthfulness in thought, word and action).   I have to look deeply to truly see the negative behavior patterns and thoughts causing my unnecessary stress.

Ahimsa and Satya are the first two of ten restraints and observances in yoga philosophy. These are helpful tools in working with your mind to attain health from the inside out.

Here are 10 Practices for attaining health that I use and you might incorporate into your practice.

10 Practices for attaining health:

1. Practice living in the present. Become more present in the moment by drawing awareness to the breath and bodily sensations. Yoga practice helps us to focus on the present moment instead of replaying past traumas or anticipated future stressors.
2. Improve self-acceptance and self-esteem by using positive affirmations to reduce and reverse negative thinking patte One affirmation I find helpful is: “I face life challenges with an open heart.” Utilizing positive affirmations while practicing yoga can help reframe negative thinking patterns developed in response to stressors.
3. Practice meditation. Even 5 minutes per day can develop a flexible mind set, one that can rise to meet day-to-day challenges and quickly return to a calm, relaxed state.
4. Cultivate a diversion from stress. For me art is a wonderful diversion. I am certainly not a great artist but I dabble in it and find it puts me in the present moment.  Anyone can do Zentangle! Give it a try!
5. Study yourself on the mat. Whatever is happening on your yoga mat may be occurring off your mat in the outside world.  For example:  If you rush through your practice, could you be rushing with your family, in traffic or on the job?  Can you learn to move slowly, with a deeper awareness in your yoga practice?  Is your mind rushing all over the place in yoga class?  Can you learn to focus on your exhales to slow the mind down?  Practicing this way of self study will help you examine your physical and mental capacity and set realistic expectations.  Unrealistic expectations create guilt and inner defeat. Strengthen your will power by setting realistic goals for your relationships, diet, work…
6. Deepen your yoga practice by taking more classes or setting more time for your home practice. Yoga teacher training can be self-transformative even if you don’t want to teach.  People note wonderful changes in their lives after completing teacher training.
7. Find and go to a yoga retreat. Take a few days for yourself and live in the moment!
8. Understand that everything changes and that this is ok. Release attachments to things that are short-lived and of passing value. This acceptance will build a positive attitude.
9. Make a life plan that will gradually strengthen your body, breath and mind. Do what you love to do.
10. Ask for help from a friend, family member or colleague because one cannot do it all. This was a big realization for me!

The yogis say that there is a center of energy within us that has the power to be one’s greatest friend or one’s greatest enemy; it is the source of health and dis-ease.

Live in health and harmony my friends!

Namaste,

Lucy