HOT YOGA MAMA

If you have been practicing yoga for a short time or for years - you can relate to the fact that setting goals is something you are constantly doing. Once you meet your goals - you set the bar higher, and so on.

Last night I practiced. Like a good student I focused with my mind - and did my best to hold judgment with my body. My body has made some serious progress over the years - but it has only been in the past year that I have focused more on where my mind is - to get closer to my goals.

There are so many poses I am still working on (the entire level 2 series in traditional yoga!). Most I do exteremely well and I have a few level 3’s that are down perfect but they are never perfect from day to day. Some day they will be - but I know that my practice is a lifelong commitment. I’ll be doing this until my body literally tells me to stop.

So onto discussing the power of the mind…

‘Inner dialogue’. Do you know what I am talking about? It’s that inner voice that tells us we can’t do something or that we’ll never get there. A lot of the time it’s negative. And a lot of the time it’s what stops us from taking any risks or moving forward in life - or our day - in our relationships - in our health goals - anything. It’s terrible.

The key is to getting this inner dialogue to speak positively. It is a daily effort to switch your thinking around. I am only speaking to yoga practice here and it’s a challenge to get on your mat without judging how you look or how long you hold your pose, or if you can achieve alignment.

I suggest listening carefully to instruction. Teachers give a lot of instruction when setting up for a pose. Listen to everything and try your best to get to that space of proper alignment and peace. I know that in bikram yoga there is not a lot of focus on the spritual aspect of practice, but energy is created from our heart and our emotions. If you are present to your spirit, your body will respond and will want to align.  I know it sounds a little ‘woo-woo’ but it’s true.

Another thing to think about is focusing only on your performance. That’s why teachers always say to focus on you in the mirror and not your neighbor. If you’re looking at the space between your brows and listening to the positive inner dialogue, you’ll have a great practice. Part of the discipline is mental focus with the inner self; not getting distracted by anything else.

At the same time - we love to practice with community. Everyone working hard is motivating to the teacher and the students. The dynamics make students put in more effort- so that’s important to note as well.

Last night when I practiced I felt complete. There is still so much progress to be made, but at the same time I remember the days when I would pray for my practice to be over. I have come a long way and I am present in the moment - that my body is strong and wants to grow stronger.

That my mind is powerful and can tell my body to follow suit.

I hope that you can achieve the same.

Namaste.