Mindful Living Through Yoga
Incorporating the principles of yoga into your everyday life can be much simpler than most people realize. The five foundational principles of yoga are:
Proper Exercise (Asanas)
Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
Proper Diet and Nutrition
Positive Thinking and Meditation
Morning Meditation: Starting the Day Right
Each morning, after washing my face and brushing my teeth, I make my bed and immediately begin meditating for at least five minutes. When I first started meditating, I found guided meditations helpful. If you're looking for a place to start, there are plenty of free options on platforms like Spotify and YouTube.
Now, I meditate simply by focusing on my breath and being still. It's incredibly rewarding to do this before even touching my phone. I believe it's so important to connect with yourself before plugging into the outside world.
Mindfulness Throughout the Day
Throughout my day, I find opportunities to practice mindfulness and breathwork, whether I'm waiting at the doctor's office or sitting in traffic. Being present in the moment, no matter where you are, can be grounding.
To incorporate physical yoga (asanas) outside of a studio setting, I start or end my day with some light stretches to improve flexibility. On particularly tiring days when I can’t sleep, I diffuse essential oils like lavender and peppermint and practice gentle poses such as supine twists, Child’s Pose, Thread the Needle, or a Forward Fold. These help me unwind and prepare for rest.
Relaxation: Finding Calm in Simplicity
Proper relaxation, or savasana, doesn't necessarily mean booking a massage or taking a vacation. It can be found in the simplest moments—savoring a meal with no distractions, sitting outside to watch a sunset, or listening to calming music, like sound baths or light acoustic guitar. When we realize that relaxation can be this simple, it's easier to find moments of calm throughout the day.
Diet and Nutrition: Fueling the Body and Mind
A huge part of health and well-being is proper diet and nutrition. Personally, I’ve found that eating primarily whole foods, especially fruits and vegetables, gives me natural energy and aids in digestion. The healthier choices you make each day, the more energized and well you’ll feel over time.
Positive Thinking: Shifting the Mindset
Our thoughts are powerful—negative attracts negative, while positive attracts positive. By being more present and aware of your thoughts, it becomes easier to filter out the negative ones and shift your perspective. The goal is to reframe negativity quickly, turning it into positivity so you can continue to attract good energy into your life. Of course, there are times when staying positive is difficult, especially in challenging circumstances. In those moments, just be as present and positive as you can.