It's the beginning of a New Year and we've all got good intentions. New Year's resolutions, loose weight, get fitter, dry January, Veganuary. The list goes on. We try and create new habit's and ditch old ones and there's so much marketing around all this on social media, the web and TV. Algorithms especially know how to steer our attention.
Yogaeverydamnday is a simple concept which is not my idea. It comes from a much more deep rooted yoga tradition of creating 'a practice' for your own wellbeing which you make time for everyday.
Even without the distractions of modern life the original yogi's knew that from the moment we wake up until the moment we go to bed we are influenced by everything that we see and experience. Our mind is constantly whirling with thoughts and distractions. We all know how hard it is to concentrate on something important when there's lots going on around us?
The most ancient reference to yoga, Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras (a collection of aphorism dating back to 2nd century BC) says in the second verse that the purpose of yoga is to stop the mind from fluctuating - Yogas-citta-vrtti-nirodhah
I know myself when it's dark and cold and my alarm goes off at 6.30am often the first thought is, 'Surely that can't be right?' Our minds play games with us saying things like; It's too dark and too cold to get up yet. Just another half hour. I'll do it tomorrow instead'. Does that sound familiar?
Yet if we are able to push those thoughts to one side, get up and make the effort (this is called Tapas or self discipline in yoga) the rewards are so worthwhile.
In yogaeverydamnday by rolling out your mat, doing a sequence of movements which help to strengthen and improve the mobility of our bodies we (probably more importantly) set a positive tone to the rest of our day. Not only that, if we push ourselves a bit, that also really helps to focus our concentration.
Of course this daily discipline, or practice, doesn't apply just to yoga, it can be used for other forms of fitness. Running, cycling and the very fashionable trend for wild swimming. The idea is the same. Pantanjali got it right, we just need to stop our minds from fluctuating. Be present, feel in control, put in the effort and try and be more mindful.
Namaste
Special thanks to Mary Davies for her Suffolk Sunrise photograph
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