| How can Yoga turn your life around? Where do you | | | | from within - first. |
| start? If you are a Yoga student, a steady practice | | | | Yoga allows the mind to find its natural balance. This |
| is a good start. If you teach Yoga classes, and have | | | | Yogic state of balance may occur in the physical |
| students in need of help, where should they start? | | | | body first. |
| At least some of us see a need for a starting point, | | | | These subtle, physical changes, within the body, may |
| which is an early form of self-awareness. | | | | be noticed if one practices Hatha Yoga (Union |
| In making a decision to change our lives, we need to | | | | through Physical Self-Mastery). This is an early step |
| know our perceived limitations. This viewpoint of | | | | for contemporary Yogis. People easily believe what |
| limitations may not be based upon reality. Sometimes, | | | | they see when they notice physical changes in their |
| a limitation is only a projection of our self-image. In | | | | own bodies. |
| other words: If I have low self-worth - are my | | | | The more subtle changes that occur within one's |
| thoughts about myself realistic? | | | | mental, emotional, or spiritual health, take more time |
| The answer is: No; if I have a poor self-image, my | | | | and patience to develop. Hatha Yoga practice may |
| thoughts would be limited by a negative mindset. In | | | | be considered the ultimate answer to physical |
| turn, a negative mindset blames everyone for | | | | mastery, but it is only a stepping stone on a path |
| everything. In such a case, nobody ever does | | | | toward happiness. |
| anything right. Many complainers have poor | | | | For many of us, our biggest step is training the mind |
| self-esteem. Instead of designing a plan for the | | | | to become our best ally. Self-induced negativity is |
| future, and searching for answers, it is easier to sit | | | | one of the greatest setbacks to humankind. |
| around and complain. | | | | Sometimes, whole countries and cultures believe they |
| One more point about perceived limits: If your | | | | are worthless. |
| thoughts are based upon pure reality and logic, these | | | | This state of cultural worthlessness occurs when a |
| thoughts will change with time. Any form of thinking | | | | society's leadership promotes pessimistic thought. |
| is subject to change because it evolves with each life | | | | Whether or not we live in a free society, the answer |
| experience. | | | | is to re-program our thinking toward a path of |
| Therefore, when you design a plan to make a | | | | progress. Every form of Yoga contains methods for |
| lifestyle change, you want to know yourself first. | | | | positive thinking. |
| Any changes to the world around us must come | | | | |