Three Ways to Be a Better Person Today

By Kristen Dollard

ATHA YOGA NUSHANUM
(ah-ta yoga NEW-SHAH-NUM)
Sanskrit does not have an exact translation but an apt meaning is “now begins the exposition of yoga.” Other nuanced understandings include: “now the instruction of yoga,” “let the teachings of yoga teach,” and “yoga is in the now.”

The Explanation
To me, this means that everything is yoga--especially when we step off the mat and out of the classroom. Really, where does the yoga begin and where does it end? Class is merely a microcosm of the rest of our lives and it is "designed" to bring up all that comes up in life. The whole range of emotions as well as why certain people push our buttons and why we repeat the same patterns. By range of emotions, we mean that through life’s experiences, we will feel many different emotions and we tend to categorize them as either “good” or “bad.” When we suppress the feelings that are uncomfortable, we push them deeper into the seat of our unconscious where they take hold tighter us.

When we go through a typical yoga practice it brings up all of the same feelings that come up in life not only the joy and freedom and feeling of harmony but it brings up frustration, pain, jealousy and the more vulnerable side of our selves that might be harder to deal with. When we can find peace and a sweetness in all of the yoga poses even the more difficult poses are easier. We meditate and experience peace of mind on a daily basis. This helps us be with the discomfort that can come up in life. It also helps us move through those difficult situations with ease and clarity.

Modern Day Example
With regular practice and daily time to check-in or rather check out of the daily minutia in our mind, it gives us the space to make decisions and choices from this place where our mind is clear and our heart is open. It is then that we can begin to see what might not be so apparent at first like sometimes the nasty people on the subway are just the ones that are suffering the most so rather than gear up for a fight we open our hearts and feel compassions for them and even muster up some kindness that can possibly make a difference in that person’s life.

The Practice
One way to do this whether you have any yoga practice at all or not is to find a comfortable chair or seated position where your back is straight and you are sitting tall. Close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes and observe the thoughts that arise without getting involved in them. Imagine you are stepping aside and watching your mind from a distance. To practice this helps us to see that the mind is changing all the time and as the old thoughts pass and new ones arise, you see the mind is working. Identifying the type of thoughts you are having can be a helpful tool. This helps you gain perspective on our selves to see that thoughts and feelings come up and pass. We tend to get so caught up in the mind that we don’t take time to sit and look at it and check in. What is bubbling up in your mind today? Are you thoughts today the same as yesterday?

As we cultivate this ability to sit longer, like a boiling pot of water, when we turn off the flame, the mind quiets. (There are many techniques we use to help to do this like the kriya breaths). We touch a part of ourselves that is our true nature and we experience a feeling of sweetness and bliss where we are completely content and feel unconditional love for no reason at all.

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