Managing Roadblocks to Wellbeing Short Blog Collection | Volume 1
- Aileen David | Mad Yogi
- Aug 31, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 19, 2024
Hello everyone! I've collected some of my posts from our Facebook page! They're from our Managing Roadblocks to Wellbeing Collection 1 of practical & relatable yoga mindsets, which I'm updating at the same time.
We go though yoga mindsets in a practical, relatable and belief-neutral way, so you can use them in your everyday life.
To that, this blog will be updated as we go along. For sharable MRW cards, visit the Affirmation Gallery.
So, here we go:
Some days, simple reminders are enough...to live in HUMILITY, KINDNESS & LOVE.
Does it sound a bit woo-woo to you?
I understand if you feel that it is; it is unfortunate that others voice this truism in an esoteric way.
But the truth is, it's all about how we relate to each other.
Sometimes, we just click well with certain people. Then, there are those we just can't.
If we adjust our mindset to a willingness to live in harmony with each other - not just tolerance or have a nonchalant, "whatever" attitude - even the discordant "notes" in our life will have their place.
Would you believe me if I say that the most common barrier to our happiness is our own ego?
It's true.
Establishing a yoga practice grounded in dedication, patience & sincerity goes beyond the flow; these values help us tap into our self-care, empowerment, kindness and take these into our everyday life & share it with others.
The same is true for the non-physical aspects of yoga. Making the emotional and mental aspects also practical and relatable yoga mindsets creates an achievable, dedicated practice.
I'll admit to something here - sometimes I make my classes a tad bit challenging on purpose .
But hang on, I have a perfectly good reason!
There's still a lot of skewed perceptions on what a yoga class is "supposed to be". Some think it's "just" stretching, some think it's purely spiritual, some think it "shouldn't be this tough"...
Sentences in quotations are actual, btw.
What I always say is that yoga isn't just for the body, but for the mind and emotions as well.
What better way to underpin this but by throwing in challenges that invite you to have an honest discussion with yourself with the intention of cultivating self- awareness, confidence, self-love and self-acceptance.
You can stop and rest or tease the challenge - either option is an opportunity for growth.
Here, I offer you a mindset-shift regarding what it is to be healthy. Is it being muscled and buffed? Is it being vegan? Is it being in a perpetual state of happiness?
Would you actually be in balance if you achieved these?
The mindset-shift I offer is this: Being healthy is having a quiet mind, calm emotions and a nourished body.
I wanted to re-share this as a reminder to those who are burdened with self-judgement - that s#!t will just poison you.
Let all that go, learn to accept, love and be kind to yourself and share that mad love!
I have an invitation for you - STOP HIDING YOUR LIGHT behind fear of a deity, antiquated thinking, peer pressure, - any belief system that shrouds you in fear and stops you from recognising your own strengths, passions, and ability to think for yourself.
Because seriously, F___ that!
If you make a mistake, own that. If you have a win, celebrate that!
Rediscover yourself and shine your light. You are whole and beautiful and strong in your own self - and let no one tell you otherwise.
Hello everyone! Here's another one of my favourites!
Diet is a very divisive topic in yoga communities. It is often at the centre of the "ahimsa debate", which has to do with vegetarianism/veganism, the idea of non-hurting, and the consumption of meat.
HOWEVER, all the hurtful, accusatory words hurled towards meat-eaters are often glossed over by non-meat proponents by saying these yoga practitioners are "not authentic" and "lacking integrity" and "just speaking my truth", giving themselves a hall-pass over going against Ahimsa.
Think about that.
Here's a truth - the yogic diet is simple - everything has its place. Barring anything that is ACTUALLY harmful to you, eat what you want; or don't. It's all up to you, really.
So, how's your meditation going?
Strong?
Just every now-and-then?
Non-existent?
The only really important barrier to our meditation practice is self-judgement.
When you find that your mind won't settle, or start doubting yourself whethere you "know" or "can" do meditation, opt for this - just relax and chill.
Put on your favourite playlist, make a cuppa', and rest.
Then, just observe these things that give you a sense of simple peace, joy, and contentment.
No need for Lotus Pose. No need for any mudra (hand gesture).
Just observe and REDISCOVER YOURSELF.
That's it. You're meditating.
In our private lives (off the mat, that is) the idea of "letting go" can be so confronting. Discussions over this idea and practice can be anything from a light-hearted chat to an, intervention-like situation, to an all-out breakdown of relationships.
So, as yogis and humans, how can we discipline ourselves to look at things from an objective perspective, assess the situation and choose an action; even if that action is to let go?
The answer is to Trust to be Guided, and we can practice this on the mat.
When we trust to be guided, we are practising Letting Go - we let go of the ego, of preconceptions, of assumptions, of judgements. When we do this, we are creating space in our mind and emotions to be objective and see our choices clearly.
It sounds contradictory, but letting go is enacting our own agency. Isn't that beautiful!
I'm an '80's kid. Multi-tasking was our thing. Being overly-busy and stressed was a badge of honour.
...and rest was for the weak.
But is it? Really?
Thank goodness we know better now.
We don't have to be busy and stressed to the point of exhaustion and anxiety. That's just going to push us into health problems - physical, mental, and emotional.
It's also unkind.
When we ignore our need to rest, we are being unkind to ourselves, and eventually to the other people around us as well. Because, as we know, stress spills over.
So, let's choose to honour ourselves and the people we love.
Let's choose kindness.
Let's rest when we need to.
You know, new people in my class almost always ask "does it get easier?"
I always tell them that:
There will always be challenges,
There are always short-term and long-term benefits,
Everyone can always stop and rest whenever it is needed,
Everyone can always pare back the intensity of the flow.
But the most important thing to remember is to let your transformation happen naturally. This is when the physical practice transforms and incorporates a psycho-emotional practice through self-kindness, acceptance and awareness.
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