July 28, 2013

A Mantra of Acceptance

My shadow 
is just as much a part of me 
as my light.

My Spirit is full of PEACE 
when I choose to 
focus on and accept 
what is
rather than holding onto 
the ideas of how 
I wish things were.



Credit: I created this mantra right after watching Debbie Ford's video "The Shadow Effect" which provides wonderful insight and acknowledgement to the darkness we all have inside of us.

July 24, 2013

Before You Try To Meditate...

I recently received a question through my website from someone looking for tips and advice to learn how to meditate.

There are SO MANY great ways to learn how to meditate. When I was first learning meditation and stress relieving techniques, I relied on my breath to help guide me to a peaceful place, physically, mentally, and spiritually, before getting into the deeper layers of a meditation.

I recommend exploring some common yogic breathing techniques before trying to meditate, because steadying your breath helps to calm your thoughts and releases tension in the body. A great breath to learn is dirgha breathing which is a 3-part complete yogic breath. Another useful breath to learn is ujjayi breathing which is an ocean-sounding breath that can help to increase your concentration with an internal focus. When you are able to send your awareness to your breath, you are making a choice to let go of outside distractions -- distractions might include excessive worries and stress, which are usually the obstacles and road blocks in the way of you finding your inner peace and happiness.

You could also start out really simple by just closing your eyes and as you breathe in say silently to yourself "calm" inviting in calming energy and when you breathe out say in your mind "peace" sending peace outward.

Meditating is all about focusing your attention in a way to accept what is, without judgement or attachment.


YOUR MINDFULNESS PRACTICE:
Experiment with a few basic breathing techniques, and find one that works best for you! There is no one "right way" of breathing or meditating. Whichever one helps you relax and remain focused on the present moment is the best choice for you!

July 20, 2013

YAMA: Brahmacharya - Energy flows where your awareness goes

Brahmacharya is the fourth YAMA (“Yamas” are the ethical guidelines from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, which are the first of eight limbs of traditional yoga) and is often defined as "celibacy" or "control of sexual desire" to avoid becoming distracted and retain focus on your yogic path. However, it is time to embrace a modern and slightly adjusted meaning of practicing Brahmacharya, which is less restrictive, yet embodies a similar intention.

When I first began studying the Yamas, my teachers asked each student to select one of the five yamas to focus on and practice for the next two weeks until our next class meeting. I chose Brahmacharya. Other students cringed at the thought of incorporating this yama in their daily practice of yoga, often times referencing their significant other and resistance. However, when we discussed a few variations and definitions of Bramacharya, I took a different interpretation to heart.

My interpretation of Brahmacharya is a Holistic idea that our time & energy is more efficiently spent once we choose to distribute it evenly across the various areas of our lives; rather than investing it in one particular task or activity. Examples of "one particular task or activity" where you might place most of your time and energy might be in a form of seeking sexual desire (trying to find and attract a mate, for instance), or watching TV shows for hours on end.

I began to introduce this new Holistic take on Brahmacharya into my everyday life -- starting out with small observations and slowly building up to making new choices. I first began to observe where I have been choosing to distribute my energy. I found myself spending more time and energy than I wanted to on things that were not helping me fulfill my personal values (i.e. – browsing through social media sites when I was bored, or analyzing a negative interaction from a past relationship). I started to intercept these energy-burning activities and thought patterns by choosing to stop what I was doing the moment I recognized them. Once I paused, I took a few seconds to think about what I was getting out of my current activity -- for example: was it having a positive or negative effect on my mood? I thought of other alternatives that I could be using my time for, and once I had a few options in mind, I consciously decided where I wanted to redistribute that same energy.
 
After a few weeks of practicing my modern take on Brahmacharya, the seemingly small adjustments I made in my routine began to add up and I was starting to GET THINGS DONE! I got things done that I had wanted to do for months, but somehow could "never find the time" to do for myself. I gained a new sense of responsibility for my actions and productivity. If I have an hour before having to leave for work, will I spend the entire hour watching TV, or will I choose to spend 45-minutes doing laundry, making my lunch, writing a grocery list, and spending just 15-minutes watching TV? The practice of Brahmacharya also encouraged me to contemplate some deep-rooted questions about my life: Do I want to continue to tread water, living each day putting effort in places just to stay afloat? Or would I rather put my energy and awareness towards actions and thoughts that will help me grow into a positive, empowered version of me?

An important thing to remember about TIME and ENERGY is that they are both set on the same autopilot mode for every single person on Earth. They are constantly being spent, whether we are aware of it or not. We cannot stop or reuse time, nor can we go back and reuse energy that has already been spent. One day can be spent a.) full of laughter and joy in the sunshine surrounded by others or b.) full of negative thoughts and concerns in a dark room all alone -- either way, the same amount of time and energy is used up that has been allotted for the day.


YOUR MINDFULNESS PRACTICE:
Curious about how you might feel by incorporating this yama into your daily life? Give it a try -- it is easier than you think! The next time you find yourself sitting in the same spot for an hour, ask yourself if you might enjoy spending your energy doing things that will make your day more productive. Also, ask yourself how you might FEEL differently once you chose to distribute your energy in more positive and responsible ways.