New Year Resolutions

By now you are most likely to be preparing your long list of new year resolutions.  It is one thing to have them and another to actually to implement and then stick to them ...  Months down the line the story always comes up as to why it could not happen :(.  As far as I can see, there are no excuses...only responsibilities.  We are always responsible for creating our own reality. 

What are these excuses we come up with?  negative thought patterns which lead to negative behaviour!!

The single most important resolution that should appear in everyone's book is, therefore, POSITIVE THOUGHT PATTERNS which generate POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR!!!  Easier said than done, huh!

Lets begin with a few tips for everyday living that normally slip our mind...


- Wake up each day with a smile (get a couple of toothpicks to help you, if necessary).  Release those endorphines.


- Always see the positive side.  Every situation is meant to teach you something positive to help you grow.  Ask the situation:  What are you trying to teach me?  The same rules apply to people - see the good in others.  Everyone does the best they can with the information they have available to them at that time.


- Surround yourself with positive people.  Hmmm! Ok, sometimes it could be a bit difficult to do!  Keep drilling those positive thoughts into the " negatives' mind " and their brains will eventually be reprogrammed.


- Road rage - obviously the person who cut you is in a hurry... Good luck to them! - they obviously got out of the wrong side of the bed, you got out of the right side and well done to you!  By the way this happens a lot to me!


- If someone has helped you in any small way, thank them.  Smile at those around you whenever you can (and if it feels appropriate).


- Practice listening more..


Going to work:

- Walk through the park, when ever possible.

- Focus on your breathing for say 5 minutes while you walk (if it is too taxing try 2 minutes and work your way up) - obviously not whilst crossing a busy road.

- Buy a rose for yourself on your way to work (as an act of love for yourself - if you don't love yourself who will?).  Men.. think of something you would like your partner to buy for you and buy that (within reason).

- Always look forward to your work - it brings you money doesn't it?  Ok you are not entirely happy - boss is crap, you probably lost all your hair because of it etc.  Be grateful for the fact that you have a job and think of all those who have not and those who are homeless.  Appreciate what you have and then start looking for something that will fulfil your inner needs.

- Just smile at your workload, and know that you will do the best you can, and the results (whatever they may be) will be positive.  Visualise yourself as happy at the end of a hard day's work.

Talking to yourself positively:
- I can and I choose to ...
- I have what it takes ...
- How can I change the current situation, so as to achieve the results I want ...
- What strengths do I have to get me out of this situation...
- Pray: "Please show me how to ...", then open up your senses.
There's many more, but I will stop here.


At the end of each day:
- Think of 5 things that you felt good about during the day and thank the Universe, God or whoever you feel comfortable talking to in your mind.
- Smile - you have had a good day - you have learnt something new!

The above provides a few simple techniques to steer you in a positive direction.  At times we are bound to come across negative situations - are we going to let them beat us or are we going to stand up and fight?

Have a prosperous New Year
Medini

Developing mental clarity with yoga

As with all exercises, be gentle - only go as far as you can.  If you feel any pain stop immediately and seek medical advice.  Remember that this article is about mental focus and balance, and not about going to extremes with any posture.

We will be concentrating on standing postures, focusing on forward bends, back bends, balance and twists (can be done anywhere without a mat).  This is ideal to do before beginning work and the routine can be done at least 3 times.

Stand straight with your feet together, and hands in prayer position in front of your heart (ideally eyes should be closed).  Breathe normally, empty your thoughts and bring your mind to your body (the positioning of your feet - feel yourself grounded).  Focus on your legs, abdomen, chest, shoulders, arms, hands, neck, mouth, eyes, ears and finally your head).  As you move through the parts of your body, mentally massage and relax them.

Open your eyes, take a couple of deep breaths and come into Tadasana - bring your hands by your side and palms facing your thighs.  Keep your back straight and breathe normally and smoothly for 20 secs.

Raise your hands above your head, palms facing eachother.  Distributing your weight evenly across both feet, and your arms extended above your head come into a gentle back bend.  Go as far as you can - without putting too much tension on your lower back, and hold for 10 to 15 seconds whilst focusing on your breathing.

Gently straighten your back (hold for a few seconds) and come into a forward bend with the hands resting beside your feet (Uttanasana).  Hold for upto a minute breathing normally.  Here feel yourself grounded.  Feel the energy from earth being drawn up the soles of your feet into your body, energising you, taking away any stale energy through your palms into earth to be transformed.

Take a deep breath and come into Utkatasana.  Bending your knees slightly and then raising your hands.  Here keep your eyes closed, breathing normally.  Create and maintain a mental image of the posture you are in for 30 seconds.  If your mind wanders, gently bring your mind back to the posture.

Open your eyes, take a deep inhale, straighten yourself, then bring your hands by your side.  Bring your right foot to rest on the side of the lower part of your left leg and take your hands above your head in prayer position.  Maintain the posture with normal breathing for 15 to 30 seconds.  Relax and repeat on the other side.

Relax your hands by your side, bring your left foot to rest on the floor.  Take 3 deep breaths, and as you inhale feel in your mind, your lungs expanding completely.  As you exhale, feel your lungs completely emptying themselves.

Come back to normal breathing.  We will now come into the eagle pose (Garudasana).  Take a deep inhale, wrap your right leg over and around your left leg.  If you find it difficult to balance rest the toes of your right foot on the floor as shown in the picture.  Next bend the right hand, wrap under the bent left hand and hold the palms in prayer position in front of your face (do the best you can).  Hold for upto 30 seconds with focused normal breathing.  Release your hands and bring your feet to rest on the floor.  Repeat on the other side.

Bring your hands to rest on either side and both feet on the floor.  With your eyes closed bring focus to your body, ground yourself, mentally relax and massage your muscles.

End with hands in prayer position in front of your chest - give thanks for the time that you were given to bring mental clarity to yourself.

Open your eyes gently and get on with the rest of the day.