Day 347 Intention ~ Watch My Thoughts

Day 347 Intention ~ Watch My Thoughts

 

 

 

Sometimes we may not say negative things out loud for the sake of another's feelings and for various reasons. We are taught that if we don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all as children. It doesn't always take things being said out loud for us to feel hurt. When we think negatively about others and ourselves, we are not following the yogic moral code of ahimsa or non-harming.

 

 

I beat myself up all the time in my head about silly little things. I get frustrated by people's behaviors and rather than tell them, I think negatively about that behavior and so on. This can be just as harmful as saying them out loud.

 

Think positively. Think with an open mind and an open heart. I'm not saying be blind to things, but don't put a negative twist on everything either. Negativity breeds negativity. And guess what, positive thinking breeds, well, positive thinking.

 

 

Sure, a little less harm could be done by not saying something mean or negative to someone, but thinking it, one can usually sense it anyhow. Don't feed it.

 

 

Til tomorrow...

 

Shanti,

 

Marcia

Day 235 Intention ~ Practice Ahimsa

Day 235 Intention ~ Practice Ahimsa

Ahimsa, one of the yamas or restraints, that yogis are supposed to practice to live in a yogic way. Non-violence or non-harming. Being vegan or vegetarian, trying to leave less of a carbon footprint on the world, being kind (or at least not mean!) in thoughts, words, and action. To other beings...even yourself. 

I reminded myself of this today as I started to beat myself up for not making it to Ashtanga this morning. As a woman, sorry guys, bear with me for a moment, there are certain times that a less vigorous practice or even skipping practice for a day or two is recommended. That is where I am at today. Although, I have just been enjoying my reinstated Ashtanga practice so much these days that I hate to miss an actual led class rather than home practice. But, alas, I am feeling a bit rundown and wanted to sleep in a bit. As the day goes on, I know I made the right choice and that a gentler, more restorative practice is in order today. So, in an attempt to be a little less harming to myself, the harmful chatter to myself has ceased. 

This is one way to bring yoga into your *very* personal daily life :) There are many many other ways. Yoga doesn't end once we step off of our mat...that is when it starts. It's a lifestyle. Live it. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 210 Intention ~ Make Today Fun

Day 210 Intention ~ Make Today Fun

It's funny, I don't work a regular 9-5 type job, yet on Monday's, I still feel what I guess most Americans feel starting the work week. Weird. Maybe I have just been trained to think that way? Maybe it's John leaving for work that makes it seem like a drag? I don't know, but really, Monday is one of my more mellow days, so it's funny that I allow myself to get in a rut about it. 

Not today! Today, although I do have 3 classes to teach and research to do, I am going to make today fun. Please, I love my work anyhow, so that's already fun. It's gorgeous outside and I have a few free hours before my evening classes...all the makings for a fun filled Monday! 

The way to make something better is to change your thoughts about it, so from now on when I feel dread about a certain day or event or meeting (anything really) that I don't necessarily want to do, change the attitude about it and it will surely turn out better than expected! 

Have a great day!

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 100 Intention ~ Think Positive Thoughts

Day 100 Intention ~ Think Positive Thoughts

I was perusing last month's Yoga Journal this morning when I came across a little snippet about how studies have been done at the Medical Research Council in England about replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts and how it actually worked in research participants. 

In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, it reads: 

PYS II:33

Vitarka badhane pratipaksa bhavanam.

When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite ones should be thought of. 

So when you find yourself feeling low or negative about things, try some positive thinking to change your mind. It's all about attitude. This can be difficult in the heat of the moment, say, if you are arguing with someone or if you lose someone you love, but trying to come to the opposite emotion can help. Remember a time when you were laughing with the person you are arguing with or find gratitude for having the person you lost in your life. Find a way to change your attitude to a positive one and your whole day may be on the upswing. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia