Gratitude
In practicing yoga I often find myself feeling and expressing gratitude for a number of things: my decision to roll out my mat that day, my body for supporting me, my hour of free time to exercise and reflect, my teachers, my energy. Gratitude reinforces my practice and helps me feel more productive and grounded in yoga, but it can be taken off the mat. Since January I have been recording one thing every day for which I am thankful and placing it in a jar beside my bed; even on my worst days, this serves as a reminder that there exist forces in my world that want to see me thrive. I feel more motivated to act kindly toward other people and to appreciate what I have, and this in turn improves my happiness. Try it: what is one thing you are grateful for today?
Mindfulness
The practice of acknowledging your actions, thoughts, and words and connecting everything you do to your inner self is not only practicable when meditating or moving through your asanas; being mindful and self-aware can have a tremendous impact on the quality of your relationships, your productivity, and your happiness. When you are walking to class or sitting down for a sandwich at Bullet ask yourself, “How am I feeling? What do I want to achieve? How can I use the power of thought to turn my bad day into a good one, or my friend’s good day into a great one?” One of the best ways to improve mental and physical health is to look inward and to ask yourself what you really need.
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Breathing
Yogic breathing techniques are great for calming yourself during panic attacks, alleviating headaches, and increasing energy. One of my favorites is alternate nostril breathing, or Nadi Shodhana (watch a great tutorial from Yoga Journal here:http://www.yogajournal.com/video/video/learn-nadi-shodhana-alternate-nos…); I love to use this technique if I feel myself getting sick or stressed. Three-part breath (https://www.yogaoutlet.com/guides/how-to-practice-three-part-breath-in-yoga) is another great way to lower stress. Overall, maintaining a pranayama practice is beneficial to your physical and mental health because it links your mind to your body and gives you a sense of control.
Mantras/Intentions
A positive mantra or intention can serve of the cornerstone of a yoga practice: “I will move with my breath, I accept what my body cannot do.” These phrases can be taken off the mat, too. Construct an “I statement” that illustrates some value or task you wish to accomplish in your day; it could be tangible, like “I intend to start my homework early” or something a bit more meta, like “I will display kindness to those around me.” Whatever your intention or mantra, consider it already done: I am strong, I am supportive. Start each day with an intention.
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