Letting Go
It is our natural desire as human beings to want new things. Whether they’re material things, relationships or drastic changes in life, we’re rarely content with what we have.
Most of us hold a cherished belief that a change in our outside world would do the trick. We even go as far as to blame things around us for not letting us get to a place where we really want to be. When we focus on our external world as a cause of our problems, we never get very far. People who do this often will usually go on to tell others about their misfortunes. We all have that person in our lives who loves to tell anyone and everyone about the negative things in their life. They feel like they’ve been dealt a bad hand and won’t let it go. We must remember, though, that what we focus our attention on expands. That’s that.
We want new things but we are reluctant to let go of our stories. This script that makes up our lives gives us a sense of identity. This might explain why we hold onto our pain far beyond its ability to serve us. We continue to replay old stories in our heads and cling to guilt, frustration and regret. Maybe this brings us a sense of power, or maybe we’re scared to find out what will happen if we drop it all.
In order to invite new things in, we must start letting go of things that are no longer serving us. Imagine your body as completely full to the brim. Any new activity or journey we embark on must have room to come in. The same goes for our thoughts. If we make a true effort to be more positive and less judgmental, we have to let go of our past, which accepts a state of tension as the norm. These habitual thoughts circle around us all day, and we usually don’t even realize it. Start now by picking one story or thought that you’re clinging to. With a deep exhale, feel it leaving your being and floating away. On your next inhale, invite anything new that feels spontaneous and authentic. This is the start of creating a new you that is no longer overrun by regret from the past or stressful anticipation about the future. You’ll feel lighter and happier as you embrace this sense of freedom.
By Sarah Hunt
Yoga Instructor at Dan Roberts
Stress Response
How Do You Respond?
With each experience, especially potentially stressful events, we have a choice on how to respond. We can respond in fear and worry, which results in an agitated mind. Or, we can respond with a calm and focused mind. The choice is yours – one causes more stress and the other results in more peace and calmness.
Understanding our mind and how it works is fundamental in lowering our stress levels. Agitation will always exist, but there are ways we can understand it better. There is agitation that is unavoidable, due to facts you can’t change. On the other side, there is also agitation born of misconception, imagination and memory. Once we realise this, we can begin to avoid unnecessary suffering. One way that we start to really notice our responses is through a regular yoga practice. As we hold postures and remain still, we have an opportunity to observe the comings and goings of our emotions. It is a reminder that yoga is ultimately about working with the mind.
When we begin to comprehend how the mind works, this is the initial step that eventually leads to knowing yourself as distinct from the mind and its fluctuations. In the end, this reduces our suffering. Balance your emotions with a regular yoga practice. It helps to diffuse emotions such as impatience, anger and hostility, which are linked to stress related illnesses. There are many other things you can do for stress relief. Take up a hobby or activity that you’ve always wanted to. Alternatively, go on that trip you’ve always wanted to. Once you get out of your regular routine, you’ll discover different things about yourself that you never knew.
Start observing your responses today. Remember, take a deep breath and gather your thoughts before you instantly respond. Be perceptive with what is happening in the mind. This will make you feel more grounded and thereby reduce stress.
By Sarah Hunt.
Yoga Instructor at The Dan Roberts Group