Pratipaksha Bhavanam and Affirmations

Do you always think positive thoughts?

Do you always tell yourself that you are loved and accepted?

Do you think that you are beautiful?

If you answered "YES" to one, or more, of the questions above then you are better (or perhaps simply more evolved) than me.  

And you know what?! 

I'm OK with that because I know that I am on my own journey to self-love and self-acceptance; and I accept where I am today.

Besides, I have a couple of tools that continue to help me down the path towards a more healthy and happy mind.  Again, if you answered "YES" to one, or more, of the questions above, you might not need to read this post.  Therefore, you have my permission to leave. 

BUT WAIT! 

If you struggle to keep positive thoughts in your mind, if you are striving to have more self-love and self-acceptance in your life, if you have a hard time accepting that you are beautiful, then perhaps - just maybe - (I hope) you might find this post enlightening.

Tool #1: Pratipaksha Bhavanam

According to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (2:33, to be exact): 

When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite [positive] ones should be thought of.  This is Pratipaksha Bhavanam.

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As YogaLia over at Yoga Community explained, "this, essentially, is yoga's version of The Secret. If you're thinking negative thoughts...stop doing that.  And choose some positive ones, instead."  In fact, the whole pratipaksha bhavanam thing is pretty simple: if you change your thoughts, then - without even trying - you will change your mood, and once we change our moods, then our whole outlook on life changes too!  Suddenly the same people, the same situations, the same things that drove us absolutely bonkers before is OK - perhaps even beautiful, charming, and nice.

By cultivating an opposite or positive thought when we are in the throes of emotional turbulence, we pave the way for self-healing.  Patanjali is simply asking us to replace anger with compassion, violent thoughts with peaceful ones, hate with love, and even to replace our general feelings of tension and stress with a sense of relaxation and contentment. (Source)

This is, of course, incredibly easier said than done.  In reality, the practice of pratipaksha bhavanam might require me/you/us to remove ourselves from unhealthy and harmful situations, giving me/you/us the time and space to feel safe, comfortable, and calm.  It is only then that we can put the situation into perspective, and begin to cultivate a more healthy and positive thoughtful approach. (Source)

So, yes, what I am saying is that there really is something to that ol' parable about "the power of positive thinking."  When it comes to the thoughts in our mind, we always have two choices; why not choose the positive?!

Tool #2: Affirmations

Sometimes, when I can't depend on myself to come up with a positive and uplifting thought on my own, I call upon an affirmation.  Although this affirmation could simply be a popular uplifting quote or saying (i.e. Be the change you wish to see in the world - Mahatma Ghandi, etc.), I am particularly drawn to songs and chants.

Don't let me fool you - I DO NOT have a good voice.  

Regardless, that doesn't stop me from singing songs/chants like this one:

I am the light of my soul.

I am beautiful.

I am bountiful.

I am bliss.

I am.

I am.

On days when ED is really trying hard to breakdown my walls, I find the "light of my soul" song to be really empowering.  If I can remember - for long enough - that I am beautiful, I am bliss, and I have a light in my soul that deserves to be protected and shared, then I can outrun the darkness of ED.

Another one of my ALL. TIME. FAVORITE. chants is Om Namah Shivayah (rough translation: "I bow to God" or "I honor the God within").  According to "The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony: Volume I" by Thomas Ashley-Farrand:

[Although] this mantra has no direct translation, the sounds relate directly to the principles which govern each of the first five chakras on the spine...Earth, water, fire, air, ether.

Here's a version by Krishna Das that I love!  Something about his voice reminds me of Johnny Cash...I just love its earthy quality.

Next time - I promise that we will return to a recipe post.  I know it has been a while.  I have been busy in the kitchen, but other posts have simply risen to the top!

Question of the Day:


Do you use affirmations in your life?  If so, which ones, and what do they mean to you?!  I am always looking for new affirmations to work into my own repertoire. :)

Blessings,
Ally and Bo

Ahimsa: Nonviolence on Your Yoga Mat and Beyond

The concept of ahimsa - non-violence - has been weighing heavily on my heart for the past several weeks.  When I say "weighing on my heart" I don't mean to imply that this is a negative experience, but rather that my awareness of this yogic concept has been in the forefront of my mind.  In particular, I have noticed a heightened consciousness of the importance of ahimsa while leading my students through their yoga practice.

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As I have mentioned in previous yoga posts, the physical practice of yoga is just one of its eight limbs.  Yoga is an art and a science dedicated to creating union between body, mind, and spirit.  To seek this union, there are eight branches of yoga, none higher or more important than another.

1. Yama - morality (i.e. non-violence, truthfulness, and non-greed)
2. Niyama - observances (i.e. purity, contentment, and study)
3. Asana - physical postures
4. Pranayama - breathe exercises
5. Pratyhara - control/withdrawal of the senses
6. Dharana - concentration
7. Dhyana - meditation
8. Samadhi - union

Every individual is unique, and therefore might find themselves connecting to one or two of the branches of yoga more strongly than the others.  For instance, I find asana to be a particularly powerful branch of yoga.  I feel unified when I work with my body, as opposed to against it.  For me, asana is akeen to a moving mediation.  There are times when I feel as though I am in communion with God when I am practicing, and for that unity, I am so very thankful.

Regardless, the eight limbs of yoga are not designed to operate in silos apart from one another.  On the contrary, they are designed to complement one another in a manner that creates a holistic and complete yoga practice that addresses the mind, body, and spirit equally.

So what do any of my ramblings have to do with ahimsa?

Well, I explained all of that to say that there is a very important role for the yama ahimsa in the physical practice of hatha yoga.  Although, you don't necessarily have to take my word for it.  Take, for instance, yoga master Judith Lasater's musings on the subject:

Ahimsa refers not only to physical violence, but also to the violence of words or thoughts.  What we think about ourselves or others can be as powerful as any physical attempt to harm.  To practice ahimsa is to be constantly vigilant, to observe ourselves in interaction with others and to notice our thoughts and intentions.

It is often said that if one can perfect the practice of ahimsa, one need learn no other practice of yoga, for all the other practices are subsumed in it.  Whatever practices we do after the yamas must include ahimsa as well.  Practicing breathing or postures without ahimsa, for example, negates the benefits these practices offer. 

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I remember a time when I acted violently toward my own body.  Not only did I starve myself, but I also binged, purged, worked-out beyond my bodies limitations, and ignored any cues of injury or harm.  I harbored no love for my own body, and as a result, felt no qualms about harming it intentionally, repeatedly, and for years on end.

Until yoga came into the picture.

Combined with the unconditional love of family, friends, and a great psychologist, yoga began to open my eyes to the giftedness of my physical form.  Yoga taught me to listen, to honor, and finally to love my body. I began to view my body for its strengths, as opposed to its weaknesses; and I began to focus on what my body could do, as opposed to what it looked like.  In summary:

Yoga brought my focus from the outside in,

and 

taught me how to practice from the inside out!

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So many physical activities in life tell us to "feel the burn" and "no pain no gain."  In many cases, we are taught that the only way we can get the body we want - or think we need - is to inflict harm upon it.  But yoga teaches us to embrace the balance between effort and ease.  To find your "edge" - that place where you feel the body growing and strengthening - where you can still breath, relax, and enjoy a peaceful state of mind.

Yoga reminds me that I don't have to be violent to myself in order to become the person I want to be physically, mentally, or spiritually.

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As a teacher, I want to create a space that gives my students the freedom to practice ahimsa.

I want my students to know that I don't expect perfection - ever - and neither should they.  

I want to give my students permission to listen to their bodies, and modify accordingly.  

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According to Sri Swami Sivananda:

Practice of ahimsa develops love. Ahimsa is another name for truth or love. Ahimsa is universal love. It is pure love...Where there is love, there you will find ahimsa. Where there is ahimsa, there you will find love and selfless service. They all go together."

Non-violence. 

Love. 

Peace.

How can we bring the practice of ahimsa off our yoga mats and into the world?

Source

Next time - a protein-enhanced "Panzanella Salad" recipe perfect for a light, cool dinner (not to mention a great way to use up the stale bread in your pantry)!

Question of the Day:


Do you believe in nonviolence?

Blessings,
Ally and Bo