Have you ever noticed that quite often, without you even knowing, your mind, like an mad chihuahua, just does its own thing?
You are having a nice walk in the woods you’d been dreaming of all week and suddenly catch yourself midway halfway through an imaginary argument with your colleague. How did that even happen? I certainly did not choose to be there. I just wanted to enjoy my walk.
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— Napoleon Hill
– Unknown
I can go on and on, but you get the gist of my drift – being able to control the mind is important. How unfair it is then that it is so bloody hard? Try not to think of a green pig for a minute!
But there is hope for us, and it is – surprise! – yoga. Especially such elements of it as breathing, stillness and meditation.
Here is what Bernie Clark, the author of The Complete Guide of Yin Yoga has to say about it:
“Long ago, yogis noticed that controlling the mind is really hard… and it requires tremendous willpower. However, there is a back door to the mind, through the breath. The mind and the breath are like two fish in a school; when one moves, the other moves. If our mind is agitated, the breath is short and choppy. Likewise, if the breath is short and choppy, the mind becomes agitated. However if we slow down and breathe more evenly, the mind also slows down.
The sky is always with us. Clouds may block our view, but we know with certainty that behind the clouds, the deep blue sky remains. The sky is a metaphor for our true nature. We rarely see who or what we are because so many thoughts and distractions prevent us from seeing clearly what is really there. This vision of our true nature is possible only when the clouds of thoughts have drifted away; stillness of the mind is required for this clarity. Stillness cannot be forced but must arise spontaneously of its own accord. We can, however, create conditions for this to occur.
To still the mind, the breath must be calm. To calm the breath, the body must be still. When these conditions have been met , deep awareness is possible. This state can by achieved only by commitment and dedication. Commit to stillness and allow whatever arises to be just what it is“.
This sums up what yin yoga is for me.
Join my Yin classes in July and August on the following dates:
To book, pay HERE
(or message me 07999711008)
And here is my 10 minutes guided meditation for you guys – it is very simple and you can do it anywhere and anytime. And no, you do not have to sit cross legged!
By the way, check out my YouTube channel and give it a wee follow if you want more free workout videos, ypga videos and guided meditations.
Lots of love x