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The Power of Mindfulness

4/24/2018

When life gets busy, it’s easy to find yourself in a nonstop routine that cultivates tension and anxiety. Awareness of not only your surroundings but also your inner emotional state is fundamental to yoke the energy of concentration. The practice of incorporating mindful practices as well as physical effort can help you establish a happier and healthier life.

Your yoga practice doesn’t have to stop when you leave the mat. Whether it’s running out of the house to pick up the kids from sports, making dinner for a family of 8, or even coping with a lost loved one, check out these mindfulness exercises to harness your ability to deal with life’s challenges.

Mindful Breathing
Never underestimate the power of simplicity. Maintain awareness of your breath and focus your attention on moving the breath in and out. This exercise can be done at any time of the day and in any position anywhere. The results can be tremendous.

Start by bringing awareness to your breath.
Breathe in and out slowly breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Let the breath flow effortlessly in and out.
Let go of your thoughts including pending tasks or things that require your attention.
Be one with your breath.

You can continue the exercise or set your timer for as long as you like.

Concentration
Now that you’ve focused on your breath, follow your breath beginning to end. Sustain your awareness and let fleeting thoughts pass.

Continue breathing and relax your body.
Improving the quality of your concentration, let any interruptions go.
Count to 6 with each inhalation and 6 with every exhalation.
Try to deepen your breath as you continue.

Feel free to close your eyes and move your attention inward.

Awareness of Your Body
Tension in the body can be released by the mind. Awareness of the body can help bring oneness to the body and mind. The more peace and harmony in your breathing, the more it will reflect in your body.

In any position, practice total relaxation.
Aware of any tension in your body, practice mindful breathing.
Breathing into your body, bring awareness to your body.
Breathing out, release the tension from the body.
Continue the practice of releasing the tension from yourself.

Mindful Walking
Self-reflection is essential to appreciating the wonders of life and letting go of the things that hold us back. Mindful walking is a simple technique that can enable you to find your purpose, increase your well-being, and give you the clarity to navigate yourself through the world.

Take deep breathes and count to 6 with each inhalation and 6 again with each exhalation.
Feel your feet touch the ground beneath you and listen to your breath.
Shift your awareness to the world and your surroundings.
Let your mind be clear to appreciate the moment.
Come back to your breath counting as you return.

Slow Down
A warrior never rushes. Combat the addiction to rush and stay present. Slowing down can sometimes be the best way to speed up. Whether it’s moving slower, taking time to think about the things you speak, find perspective on balance by calming the body, mind, and spirit in preparation for meditation.

The combination of mindfulness and physical activity is the crux of combating negative thinking and emotional distress. Although this practice requires discipline and self-control, mindfulness can transform your ability to concentrate and make a breakthrough.

The focal point of mindfulness practices is meditation. The combination of physical and mental practices can train the body to stay calm and be observant. This concentration allows one to
wake dormant energy toward awakening.

Christin Lee is a yoga instructor, entrepreneur, and lifestyle blogger living in NYC. She currently writes for InsiderEnvy with an emphasis and focus on fitness, health, and universal human rights.

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How A Yoga Lifestyle Can Improve Your Overall Health

4/11/2018

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Jason Lewis, Strongwell.org

A Busy Life can Create Stress

Many Americans struggle with stress, anxiety, fatigue, and other symptoms of a busy lifestyle, all of which can lead to exhaustion, issues with family members, and problems at work. These feelings can actually cause physical pain or depression, and in some cases, can even lead to substance abuse. When your entire body is involved, it’s hard to see a way out or imagine finding a way to make it better.

Yoga is More than Exercise

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to feel better, and incorporating yoga life is one of them. Largely hailed as one of the best forms of wellness for your body and mind, Yoga can help to you relax, learn to focus on the present rather than being anxious about the future, and find inner peace even when you’re in the midst of a stressful event. It can be done alone or in a group, meaning you can find balance no matter where you are, and it doesn’t require a gym membership.

Learn to Relax

Yoga Asana can help you to loosen your muscles, guide you to taking deeper breaths, and help you to find inner peace so that you can work toward letting go of stress. If you have a very demanding job or work long hours, practicing Yoga can help you stay calm when those stressful situations kick in, and it can also help you find ways to manage your emotions. This is especially useful for individuals who are single parents and have a lot going on, or for people with high-stress jobs.

Have Fun

Yoga is a great way to chill out, but did you know it can be fun, too? You can play your favorite music while practicing Asana, try it outdoors for a change of scenery -- head to the Beach or Paddle Board. Seek out a practice that suits your desires, at first. For example, some teachers are allowing you to bring pets while you practice Asana. It’s not always about teaching them the poses--although some do participate--but rather, showing them how to be calm. This may be the place for you to begin, but remember, the practice is much more than just doing poses. For more info on places that welcome dogs during the asana practice, click here.

Build Strength

Many first-timers are surprised at how much energy it takes to get through a single yoga asana session, because it tends to look easier than it is. It’s a great way to build up muscle strength and perfect your posture if the instructor guides you through proper alignment in the poses. This is perfect for individuals who sit at a desk all day. The best part is, because Yoga can be done just about anywhere. Some instructors can even offer adaptations of the various poses for chairs and with tools (blankets, straps, blocks, etc.).

Connect Spiritually

The practice of Yoga includes 8 Limbs or aspects one of which is learning to focus your mind so that meditation may happen. This practice can bring you closer to spiritual health. This can mean different things for different people, so think about what it means to you and allow Yoga to give you a bit of a boost when you need it. Simply practicing mindful practice, directing your breathing and physical body can help you learn to be more present in the moment and appreciate your strength. For a guide on all the ways Yoga can help your body and mind, read on here.

Because Yoga is appropriate for any age, can be done almost anywhere, and is beneficial to many different parts of the body, it’s ideal for many different kinds of people. Not only can it help alleviate symptoms of various health disorders, it can also prevent them. Talk to your doctor about whether Yoga is right for you.

Jason Lewis is a personal trainer with a focus upon senior health.

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The Power of Mindfulness

How A Yoga Lifestyle Can Improve Your Overall Health

A Busy Life can Create Stress

Yoga is More than Exercise

Learn to Relax

Have Fun

Build Strength

Connect Spiritually

Jenay, E-RYT, Director

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