L.G.O. (Life goes on) ⇝ 

A mantra that should be taught to us from the moment we arrive on this earth. Each day we may face agitations, disappointments, or obstacles that are temporary and may even disappear quickly. There is not much else to do besides providing a simple reminder of these three letters or words – L.G.O. (Life goes on). 

Turn your attention to one thing you can be grateful for in your life right now.

About a year ago, I decided to become more familiar with yoga. I needed and wanted to create a healthier sense of balance in my life. Instead of running miles, I spent more time on my mat. Instead of running from my thoughts, I spent time sitting with them. I was fascinated by the mind-body connection that I experienced when I was on my mat. I felt supported, comfortable and in my safe haven. I continued to go to yoga classes to prepare me for my yoga certification course in July. For three weeks, 12 hours a day, I was living, breathing and falling in love with the practice of yoga. I became so captivated and passionate towards everything that it consisted of. My mind and body were exhausted, but my heart was so full. This opportunity allowed me to grow my practice immensely as well as form inseperable bonds with others. This course helped me to become aware that yoga was beyond a set of various poses, a workout, a way to become flexible, or a way to stretch. It led me to realize that it is practice, a lifestyle and a strategy.

The practice of yoga continuously reminds me that I am seeking wholeness, not perfection. Through pranayama, meditation and asanas, I am able to decrease my suffering. I am able to effectively use relaxation techniques and mindfulness to assist me throughout each day and night (sleep – if you know me, I’m an insomniac). This lifestyle continues to assist me towards presence, enlightenment, contentment, positivity, balance, self-love, compassion, non-violence, acceptance, openness, perspective and a peaceful state of mind. It also assists me to find a greater connection to my spiritual faith. It allows me to release from the negative energies such as self-judgment, hatred, anxiety or anything else that does not serve my mind or my body. I strive to acknowledge and surface any pain or problems that I may be experiencing. 

I am aware that yoga will not solve my problems or stop life from being difficult.  I still face struggles that are extremely hard to overcome. Although, yoga allows me to embrace my humanness and provides me with the faith that leads me to a happier, healthier life. I will continue to deepen and strengthen my practice each day. 

Most importantly, I feel grateful that I get the opportunity to share my passion for the practice of yoga with others. Whether I am working with patients at the hospital, individuals who have developed post-concussion syndrome, or teaching basic yoga to any individual, I am convinced that the healing benefits of yoga are endless no matter what one may be experiencing. 

I wish for every human in this world to find their gift, passion, yoga, something that gives you hope, happiness and healthiness, then share it with others. 

anicca. /ˈænikə/ noun. (in Theravada Buddhism) the belief that all things, including the self, are impermanent and constantly changing.

I see various examples of the concept anicca every day when I am working with patients in the rehabilitation unit of the hospital. I am currently working with a man who is a writer and has just lost all ability to use the hand that he writes with. He expresses his frustration and that this is the longest he has ever gone without writing. This has become an extremely difficult change in his life at the moment. I can’t imagine one day suddenly not being able to do something that I love or have been doing all of my life.

To me, the concept of anicca is difficult to acknowledge at times. I am living and learning to accept the impermanence that occurs around me each day. I am aware that whether it is our physical state, mental state, where we live, the people around us, relationships we hold, our occupation, and so on, everything in our lives is constantly changing. Throughout the past couple of months, I have taken the time to notice changes as they come and go. The book “Living Your Yoga” by Judith Lassiter suggests to write down everything that has changed in the past three months and later on look back on it to see if those things have now changed. This allowed me to be mindful and notice how frequently various aspects of our lives are changing.

Throughout my yoga practice, I have intended to work towards accepting the concept of impermanence. I have come to the realization that if we cling to the idea of everything staying the same, we will in turn increase our suffering. If we fear impermanence, we fear life. As I focus on breathing throughout my practice, I realize that even no breath is the same as the last. Each breath is different from one another. 

All of these thoughts have left me to examine this concept with a more open-minded perspective. Even though we may undergo difficult changes, each breath provides us the ability to start fresh, new and become present. It becomes easier to accept change when we notice that each breath provides us with a second chance to accept, regain, restore and find growth in whatever situation we may be in.

My heart continues to grow each day as I witness patients overcoming the drastic changes they may be experiencing. It is inspiring to see each patient regain their abilities and better themselves each day. Take time to notice the impermanence that is occurring in your life or may have recently occurred. Take the time to be grateful for the changes that have allowed you to start new and led you to happiness. As for the difficult changes, allow yourself to find acceptance or find the ability to grow with a second chance. 

As I read the book “The Healing Power of Mind”, I am learning and understanding how powerful the human mind truly is. I have become aware that the true nature of the mind is peaceful, whole and enlightened. I realize that it is the external factors in life that we get caught up in that can cause us to become imbalanced and create suffering. 

This perspective on the mind provides me with motivation and leads me to question- if we all started out in a peaceful state, why not find our way back? 

Through awareness and practice, we can allow ourselves to let go of the worries, stresses, attachments, hatred, desire, illusions and ignorance that have stepped in the way. When we observe and notice what is getting in the way, it becomes easier to let go.

From experience, when I take the time to step back from the chaos and become mindful, I am at a higher sense of wholeness within myself. In my eyes, every human deserves a whole life. Take the time out of your daily routine to notice what may be getting in the way of your ability to be peaceful, whole and enlightened. 

“Ahimsa”

“ahimsa” – absence of violence from ones mind, the act of non-harming. 

 I was introduced to this word for the first time during my yoga certification course and it has had a strong impact on me ever since. The concept of ahimsa is to be used on and off of the mat. Ahimsa can be used towards ourselves as well as with others. It is simply living to peace.

When using the concept of ahimsa towards myself, I am able to create compassion and freedom. It allows me to release from feeling I am “not doing enough” and become aware of exhausting myself to the point to where I increase harm and lack self enjoyment. It allows me to ask myself  “am I serving or harming my body?”.

I decided to revisit the meaning of ahimsa this week because I feel that we can always add this powerful concept into our lives in some way. Whether we are practicing it with ourselves or ANY living being. If we practiced the concept of ahimsa every time we spoke, took action, had a thought, etc. we would be filled with only peace. Unfortunately, this is not reality. From experience, certain feelings we experience can most definitely get in the way of this. So if we want to, we can choose to become aware of this concept and use it to our best ability. 

I am eager to try to grow the practice of ahimsa towards myself and others. I plan to start by doing less and being more, practicing asanas at the speed of my body and not my mind, creating an “ahimsa” day and reminding myself of this concept when I am communicating with others. 

How can you add ahimsa into your life to add a little more peaceful living…?  

♥