It’s September - the month that ends summer and begins fall. The changing of seasons often brings about changes in emotions - those of us mourning the end of late summer nights - and those excited about the cooler air sweeping through. Regardless of what changes around us we always have choices on how we react. It's not just the big moments in life we find stress, but the little moments that might send us over the edge. One of my social media friends posted the following message -
What an amazing idea - we CHOOSE how we react to the world - choosing to be positive or negative sets the tone on how others see us - and if others want to be around us. Even though we have a choice in how we react with the world - this doesn't negate the fact that we do have the right to have a multitude of feelings! Are we allowed to be sad, angry, fearful? - yes - It's choosing to recognize those emotions - noticing what brought about those feelings - and then choosing how to deal with them. Are we choosing to dwell on the fear, hurt and sadness - allowing bitterness, grief, and paranoia to consume us - or are we finding avenues to seek peace and comfort amidst the chaos? So, our choice is our continuance in how we present our emotions to the world. - I think Mr. Rogers said it best -
As we think about how we deal with the emotions building in us as we react to the world around us - sometimes we just see ourselves as the 'receiver' of actions - someone made a negative statement about me so now I'm mad, sad, upset, angry, bitter.... However, as in most of life - we aren't just receivers - but 'givers' of feelings and emotions. The words we choose each day as we speak send love and light - or darkness and hate - and of course a multitude of emotions in between.
As yoga students and teachers, we study the 8 limbs of yoga - briefly described -
Yama - Restraints, moral disciplines or moral vows
Niyama - Positive duties or observances
Asana - Posture
Pranayama - Breathing techniques
Pratyahara - Sense withdrawal
Dharana - Focused concentration
Dhyana - Meditative absorption
Samadhi - Bliss or enlightenment
The beginning limbs all leading to the end result of bliss - or peace within ourselves and with the world around us. Even though we may find Samadhi at various moments in our lives - it's not a permanent state - but something to be constantly striving towards. So, our daily practice of moving and breathing, meditation and focus - all help us to *daily* reach for that internal peace - or what I like to call (J)oy - capital Joy - not to be confused with (j)oy - lower case joy (feelings of temporary happiness). As you can see - finding Joy - is a daily process requiring focus and effort - it doesn't come without a CHOICE.
Specifically, within the 8 limbs of yoga, the first two steps - the Yamas and the Niyamas - contain a series of ethics - externally and internally - to help us begin the path to Joy:
Basically, these ethically guidelines aren't anything new to us - growing up in our education, our spiritual guidance, our home values - we've all been introduced to these ethical guidelines in some frame of reference. Each part of these helps us as we continue to move through the limbs - especially when we reach asana (poses). Most people connect the term 'yoga' with the poses. As we move our bodies through the postures, using the breath as a guidance - but also thinking -
'Am I harming myself trying to do this pose?' (Ahimsa)
'What do I need to learn about myself to find peace in this posture?' (Svadyaya)
'Even though my body doesn't seem to look like others in the room, my body feels good here.' (Santosha)
All of these questions are emphasized in my classes - encouraging us to find the pose that fits our bodies each day -
not seeking -
competition (we are all shaped differently and will look different in the same pose),
judgment (my body belongs to me and I value what it gives me each day), or
expectations (even though I've been practicing many years, my body is unique and some poses don't allow my body to find a full breath and peace)
So, we've looked into a little yoga philosophy, how it relates to our everyday lives. But - if you're like me - give me something practical. As a kinesthetic learner, I teach yoga (and other areas) by showing - so people can see movements, but then feel for themselves what is happening - creating multiple paths for our bodies and minds to connect with the information. To seek a mindset shift to pull us out of our initial emotional reactions, we need something specific - and that is gratitude. This article gives multiple examples of shifting our focus from self (or self pity) to the wonderful things around us that bring beauty and peace into the world if we just take a moment to find them.
Once we've found this awesome JOY - we can't possibly imagine keeping it to ourselves - let's spread some KINDNESS - and let JOY abound. There is awesome research showing the power of kindness. Creating a habit of kindness helps us be more positive - so when we interact with unpleasant situations, the internal positivity takes over to lift us back into JOY.
As we look to yoga postures that help our physical bodies encourage openness in our nervous system and our minds - we find a multitude of avenues to find physical and mental peace and seek JOY. Just a few of those poses are highlighted in this video -
The picture below shares some of the poses from the video (and of course the lovely Bella Mae shares some of her fun yoga poses also - she has perfected Downward Facing Dog and Upward Facing Dog) -
An amazingly strong pose - that is often overlooked - is the first pose - Mountain (Tadasana). In mountain pose we find grounding of our feet into the earth; length and engagement of the limbs and spine; a long open breath, steadiness and stability - all in one posture. The other postures focus on relaxing the spine and hips - while gathering strength and openness. When we allow our bodies to move and breathe - the areas that we tend to shove the emotions we've not taken time to work through can begin to relax - and in turn may release those emotions buried inside.
***While yoga is a great avenue to find openness in the body and mind, if you feel you've encountered emotions that you'd like help working through - please seek a professional licensed counselor or physician to guide you into a safe place of healing***
Overall, I think this song sums it all up - as we choose to seek a difference perspective - finding JOY - and sharing kindness and love - feel the world around us be consumed as every smile is contagious!
Lyrics to song -
joy.
for KING & COUNTRY
Lately, I've been reading, watching the nightly news Don't seem to find the rhythm, just wanna sing the blues Feels like a song that never stops Feels like it's never gonna
Gotta get that fire, fire, back in my bones Before my heart, heart, turns into stone So somebody please pass the megaphone I'll shout it on the count of three One, two, three
Oh, hear my prayer tonight, I'm singing to the sky Give me strength to raise my voice, let me testify Oh, hear my prayer tonight, 'cause this is do or die The time has come to make a choice
And I choose joy Let it move you, let it move you, let it move you Yeah, I choose joy Let it move you, let it move, let it move you
Yeah-eh, back when I was young, my eyes were full of life But now that I am older, I live at the speed of light Feels like the cycle never stops Feels like it's never gonna
Gotta get that fire, fire, back in my bones Before my heart, heart, turns into stone So somebody please pass the megaphone I'll shout it on the count of three One, two, three
Oh, hear my prayer tonight, I'm singing to the sky Give me strength to raise my voice, let me testify Oh, hear my prayer tonight, 'cause this is do or die The time has come to make a choice
And I choose joy Let it move you, let it move, let it move you Yeah, I choose joy Let it move you, let it move, let it move you Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of night Oh, with You by my side, I'm stepping into the light I choose joy Let it move you, let it move, let it move you
I need that joy, joy, joy, joy Down in my heart, down in my heart to stay I need that joy, joy, joy, joy Down in my heart, down in my heart to stay
And I choose joy Let it move you, let it move, let it move you Oh, I choose joy Let it move you, let it move, let it move you Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of night Oh, with You by my side, I'm stepping into the light I choose joy Go let it move you, go let it move you, go let it move you
I need that joy, joy, joy, joy Down in my heart, down in my heart to stay I need that joy, joy, joy, joy Down in my heart, down in my heart to stay