The Impact of Yoga on Mindfulness and Mindfulness on Yoga
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully aware of the present moment and not becoming overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is happening in our surroundings. Mindfulness involves observing and labeling our thoughts, feelings, and sensations to ground ourselves in the present. When we practice mindfulness, we learn to be an observer of our thoughts or emotions while reserving judgment. Our brains naturally wander, constantly seeking new stimuli and topics to ponder. Practicing mindfulness is a way to take control of our thoughts instead of letting them take control of us and how we feel. Benefits of mindfulness include but are not limited to improved cognitive functioning, reduced levels of stress and anxiety, feelings of happiness and calmness, reduced chronic pain and blood pressure, and much more. It can be practiced during formal meditation or throughout our everyday activities such as cooking and cleaning.
Yoga is a great place to start practicing mindfulness, as yoga and mindfulness go together. Both are intended to quiet the mind to help us form a deeper connection and understanding of our sense of self. The primary focus of mindfulness is mind-body awareness, whereas the primary focus of yoga is to connect the body, mind, and spirit. Whether we do yoga in a studio or at home, it is critical to its effectiveness that we learn how to cultivate a sense of mindfulness to achieve a meaningful connection. Coincidentally, yoga can help unlock mindfulness, which leads to more effective yoga.
Mindfulness can be found within a yoga practice regardless of whether we prefer slow and gentle flows or fast-paced and sweaty. A critical decision when starting is to rid ourselves of distractions. Make sure phones are muted or off, preferably entirely out of sight. It’s also essential to practice reserving judgments. Yoga allows us to observe how we are feeling in the present moment emotionally and physically without being negative. It is a practice, not a contest, so whenever our minds wander, we must gently remind them to concentrate on our courses and how our movements make us feel. Yoga doesn’t require goal setting, and although it’s tempting to set objectives for ourselves, we then focus more on achieving our goals instead of practicing mindfulness.
Accepting Our Thoughts and Feelings, Then Letting Them Go
For more information about achieving mindfulness through practicing yoga, go to PinkVilla.com:
“Other emotions may be triggered by our practice. It could be the teacher's voice, something he or she says, your perceived ability to accomplish a certain position, or the person next to you and the sound of their breath. Acceptance is an important aspect of mindfulness, which is paying attention to our thoughts and feelings without criticising them—without believing, for example, that there is a "good" or "wrong" way to think or feel. Use your practice to experiment with the concepts of accepting and letting go of these emotions.
It can be tough to concentrate on asanas. Yoga is more than just doing the poses. It's also about staying entirely engaged to the current moment. As a result, it's critical to take some extra precautions in order to practise more mindful yoga.”
From 4 Ways To Embrace Mindfulness On Your Yoga Mat - PinkVilla
Photo Source: WIX
What are some things you do to achieve mindfulness? If you have not incorporated any aspects of mindfulness into your life yet, what are some things you are considering trying?
Written by Yellow Brick Road Token
April 15th, 2022