With the ending of one solar cycle and the beginning of the next, each New Year offers us an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the mechanisms of time and change which are a consistent companion to the experience of the human condition, life, and even the universe at large. The only constant in the universe is change itself, and to live as a human means to be constantly adapting to never ending change. However, to suggest that we are slaves to change would not be entirely accurate. We are slaves to change only in so much as we have become slaves to our bad habits, both physical and mental alike. When we learn to recognize our own inner freedom and ability to make personal transformations within this ever changing existence, we recognize our own innate ability to make good choices and cultivate good habits which have the power to direct our path in life, affecting everything from our mental state, physical health, successes, relationships, and more.
Yogic mindfulness and meditation help us in bringing our thoughts, beliefs, and words in line with our intentions and dreams. This process shines light on our own needs, brings clarity to our vision, purpose to our path, and creates a strong foundation for the manifestation of our dreams into reality. How often do we defeat ourselves in our own thoughts with criticism, judgement, and negative self talk? Unconscious habits of self doubt, blame, or rumination (to name a few), sow the seeds of negative outcomes in life. When we understand that our thoughts and language are habits which we can choose to change, we realize that we have the power to change our belief structures. This gives us the ability to let go of what no longer serves, and install new programs that will help us operate with more efficiency and ease in the future.
However, changing our thoughts and language are really only the first step of true transformational change. From here, action is needed to complete the process of manifestation, or, at best, we will end up with nothing more then well thought out hopes and dreams. Although most people translate the word 'yoga' as 'unity', or 'to unite', it's sanskrit root also gives rise to a dual meaning which is less often discussed - the word 'discipline'. This double meaning holds within it the understanding that the process of becoming whole, happy, and in control of your life-path requires discipline. Yoga is, after all, a practice, and to achieve success in any practice, discipline, consistency, and repetition are always required.
Setting ill-founded dreams without understanding our own true nature, needs, and opportunities is like casting a net with no care to it's direction or aim. Aimlessly working out, bouncing from diet to fad diet, and pursuing a relentless march towards a six pack and sexier body without any consideration as to what it is that you really want or need for your health and happiness, is likely to land you feeling tired, unmotivated, and like your efforts just never seem to pay off. It is only when we learn to bring our thoughts, intentions, words, and actions all into disciplined alignment that we find the ability to manifest actual, meaningful, and sustainable changes in our lives.
This is the path of yoga. As we learn to connect inward, to notice our breath and all of it's possibilities, to experience the subtleties of our own bodies, and to affect change regularly on our mats in a scheduled and disciplined practice, we find the key to mastering this process and we become empowered to take charge of our lives and move them in the direction of our dreams. To quote the late, great yoga master, B.K.S. Iyengar - "It is through the alignment of the body that I discovered the alignment of my mind, self, and intelligence." Yoga uses the body as the vessel of action and learning for all of life's great mysteries and potentials, offering a unique way of improving one's mental health and resiliency, while at the same time improving physical fitness and function, and enabling one to effectively recognize their most authentic self and path in life.
This January, visit us online regularly as we share inspirations, motivations, and practices which help us to find the self-discipline to keep on track with our goals and cultivate the changes we wish to see this year!