Words of Wisdom:
“There isn’t enough room in your mind for worry and faith. You must decide which one will live there.” ~Unknown
Thoughts for May:
I used to worry constantly over the smallest of things. Before discovering yoga, I didn’t know how to relax. If I had a mantra back then, it would have been, “Worry.”
Just before graduating from college, my anxiety levels went into overdrive. I worried constantly about what life would be like after leaving the institution (aka: college campus) I had called home for four years.
Will I be able to find a job?
Will my degree be put to good use?
Will I make enough money?
What’s my life’s purpose?
It all boiled down to questioning whether or not I’d be “good enough” in “the real world.”
It all boiled down to questioning whether or not I’d be “good enough” in “the real world.”
Fast forward a bit and all these worries began manifesting in the form of panic attacks, that would spring up on me in the oddest of places…while driving, grocery shopping, hanging out with friends, etc….
I felt afraid and out of control.
I knew I needed to reclaim my sanity. Not doing so would keep me in a downward spiral of worry and agony. I knew that it would only be when I could drop my backpack of worries, that I would be light and free. The question was, “How?” Exactly how would I do this?
I often joke that I didn’t find yoga, but that yoga found me. I believe that God gives us just what we need at the exact time in which we need it. I find it of no coincidence that yoga came into my life when I needed it most. I was in my early twenties, newly out of college, and in the emotional rut, I described above. After taking my very first yoga class in 2004, I knew I had stumbled upon something life changing.
Little did I know back then…this practice would also come to be my life’s purpose, through teaching and one day opening a studio.
Here I was, searching for answers, and then, this practice fell right into my lap. It was the answer to my prayers.
Here I was, searching for answers, and then, this practice fell right into my lap. It was the answer to my prayers.
Through years of practice and growth in my personal faith, I’ve found freedom from worry.
That’s not to say I never worry. I continue to have worries, but I am now better able to cope with them and I no longer obsess over them.
When I find myself worrying, I’m able to recognize that I’m worrying and work to shift my perspective and mindset to something positive.
- I breathe,
- I pray,
- and I choose to shift my focus away from the thing or things that are worrying me.
It’s like Drishti on the mat. Where your attention goes, your energy flows. You can choose to give your attention to worry, stress, and fear. Or, you can choose to give your attention to things that are uplifting, positive, and affirming.
You can choose to give your attention to worry, stress, and fear. Or, you can choose to give your attention to things that are uplifting, positive, and affirming.
You see, the mind likes to attach itself to the “known,” which creates anxiety. Worry is a symptom of the deep-rooted fear you experience when you have to move into the “unknown.”
We, as human beings, prefer for things to be predictable. We fear that any unexpected turn of events will throw our planning into disarray. The more energy we give to our fears, the more anxious we become.
In reality, worry represents a lack of trust. When you worry, you are unable to trust in the goodness of life. Even though things could turn out a number of different ways, when you worry, you believe that things are gong to turn out negatively, rather than positively.
In reality, worry represents a lack of trust.
Worry displaces.
You become ungrounded.
With your mind constantly fixed in the past or the future, it is difficult to be present. You lose the ability to experience life in the here and now. With worry, you deny yourself the opportunity of living life’s moments in freedom.
Worry also creates a lack of energy. You feel low. You are more apt to complain about things and compare yourself to others, and you’re less likely to be rational. Your relationships with others are impacted too. No one likes being around a dark cloud of doom and gloom.
So, how do we overcome worry? Well, I’d like to think that just as with anything else in life, it’s a work in progress. And that each and every time we step foot on our mat, we’re given the opportunity to put letting go and being in the flow of life into practice.
And that each and every time we step foot on our mat, we’re given the opportunity to put letting go and being in the flow of life into practice.
It’s important to understand that uncertainty is a natural part of life. You cannot know with absolute certainty what is going to happen next. Just like I couldn’t have known all those years ago that I’d make enough money, have my degree be put to good use, or find a steady job.
Worrying certainly didn’t help the matter. So, day by day…practice by practice…keep working at letting go and practicing faith.
Let go of the things you can’t control and hold tight to faith, so you can enjoy the here and now, and all the precious gifts this life has to offer.
When you release your attachment to control, it’s easier to breathe and have a clearer focus.
Energy goes where your attention flows.
About the Image:
Marina Mukandala, is featured in this newsletter issue in Ardha Chandra Chapasana (Bound Half Moon Pose). The benefits of Bound Half Moon Pose are as follows:
- Builds endurance in the feet and strength in the legs
- Opens the hips
- Strengthens the quadriceps of the lifted leg
- Lengthens the spine with a subtle twist
- Improves core strength and balance
Join the conversation and comment below.
How does love show up for you on your mat? What connected with you the most? Did I miss anything?
