Now, let?s cover the last component of self-mastery, which is spiritual health. Sometimes, the discussion of spiritual health is considered ?politically incorrect.? This is a shame, because we want to live life to the fullest and cannot ignore our spiritual side.
It is also interesting how many people try to improve their spiritual health when they have a near death experience, are diagnosed as terminally ill, or hit ?rock bottom.? In each of these instances, we can suddenly connect with the concepts of a moral code, after life, God, or ?putting things right.?
Whatever your situation, take the time to reconnect to your inner self and seek spiritual guidance for the sake of your overall health, family, and relationships. It doesn?t matter to me which religion you choose, as long as you feel, in your heart, that it is right for you. Religion should not be a dividing point for mankind, so stay away from intolerant fundamentalists.
Which brings up the act of forgiveness, which, in and of itself, is good for spiritual, mental, and physical health. Just by reconciling with our family, friends, and associates, we stop wasting energy and improve our overall health.
Practice random loving kindness with your fellow man. Help others and don?t expect anything in return. Give to charity for the reason that it is right to help mankind.
Appreciate what you have and see it for its true worth. Your past accomplishments are to be enjoyed, and not to be put aside. When you help someone, get through a difficult situation that is also an accomplishment. You don?t have to speak about what you accomplished, but knowing that you have taken the time to be kind is satisfaction, in itself.
See wealth for what it is. If your family and friends love you, that is a priceless treasure. You do not have to be rich in order to be happy. Most of the rich are less happy than you and I. Imagine having the recognition of people around you, for no other reason than money.
The last point to make, about material wealth, is that we are only temporary custodians of money. If possible, spend it wisely, help others, and leave something behind for the next generation. If you have no money to leave behind, at least, leave good thoughts.
Mindfulness allows us to peacefully live in the present moment and concern ourselves with the now. You will stop wasting time, feeling anguish about past shortcomings, as a result of mindfulness. You will also stop wasting your energy, by worrying about situations that may not happen in the future.
Most of what we worry about never happens, but the mind never stops creating negative thoughts, even when we sleep. Take the time to be mindful and listen to the world empathically. You will then know who, or what, you can help first.
Make peace with your inner self by learn to accept yourself ?as is,? and do not make it conditional. If you need to make improvements, to yourself, you are not alone. Take the time to enjoy each day, as if it was your last day on earth.
Set aside time to pray or meditate daily. This will enable you to open a spiritual connection with your God or the universe. Prayer is a form of meditation and meditation is a form of prayer. If you take the time to pray, you will be heard and don?t be surprised, if you get help.
As a result of these physical, mental, and spiritual exercises you achieve self-mastery. Just don?t forget to help others along the way. You don?t have to be a ?master of your own destiny? to help mankind.
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Showing posts with label Family Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family Friends. Show all posts
February 23, 2009
Time to Practice Yoga
There are many things that we know, we should do, but there?s never enough time. Would you like to have more time for your family, Yoga practice, and some quality time, in your life? Maybe, work keeps you too busy, from doing the right things, for yourself, and your loved ones. So, what can you do?
After all, you need to put food on the table and work is a priority. In reality work is only a part of life, and you would realize that, if you lost your job. All of us go through a grievance period, after losing a job, marriage, or a loved one.
At that point, we must make a decision, to continue on, or give up. Now, I am assuming you are not the type to give up. After moving on, we look back at the pain and healing process. Our personalities are developed, and conditioned, from many components. These components help us “keep it together,” such as: Family, friends, work, prayer, and hobbies.
Most of you know that Yoga means “unity,” but do you realize you are practicing union, or unity, every day, even if you don?t officially practice in a Yoga class? Below is a list of things that you should do every day, or almost every day.
You will notice, that work should not be done every day, in order to live life in moderation. Everyone needs a day off, so enjoy your weekends, when possible, and don?t skip vacations.
Prayer is part of every religion and should be a part of every day. I don?t care what religion you practice, that is your business. Luckily, most of the religions on this planet have universal principles that apply to all. Don?t forget that, you need spiritual, physical, and mental health to be complete. By the way that?s a Yogic principle too.
Family time is so important that we have a dysfunctional generation growing up, due to lack of attention to our children. Some children don?t really know their parents, because they are sometimes brought up by someone else, or a day care center. Lack of bonding time creates inherent problems for parent and child.
Take the time to eat together without arguments and play with your children. Expose your children to religion, games, hobbies, humor, and Yoga practice. Give your spouse or partner a hug and tell them how valuable they are. Self-worth and recognition keep them going too.
Good friends should not be ignored. They are few and far between. You may find your Yoga friends to be valuable company too.
Be conscious of all the following every moment that you can. Breathing doesn?t have to be learned from your Yoga teacher and forgotten. You should practice proper breathing every moment you think of it.
Proper posturing should be practiced when you are sitting, standing, walking, eating, and using your computer. Exercise should be part of everyday and you should be conscious of your nutrition at all times.
Consuming eight glasses of water per day minimum is important for digestion, elimination, your skin, your vital organs, and removing toxins. Please spare the excuses - many people have no problem drinking eight sodas per day. By the way, that?s not good, even if it is diet soda.
Work is a must, unless you are independently wealthy. Work should also help you keep your sanity. If this is not the case, look for a job that is rewarding.
Hobbies are good for your sanity too, but like all of the above they are part of a healthy life. So, how can you make all of this fit into your life? If you go to Yoga classes, you already do.
However, if you haven?t had the time to learn or practice Yoga, you must make the time. Once you do, you will wonder why it took you so long, to start learning Yoga. You will make new friends and live a happier life.
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
After all, you need to put food on the table and work is a priority. In reality work is only a part of life, and you would realize that, if you lost your job. All of us go through a grievance period, after losing a job, marriage, or a loved one.
At that point, we must make a decision, to continue on, or give up. Now, I am assuming you are not the type to give up. After moving on, we look back at the pain and healing process. Our personalities are developed, and conditioned, from many components. These components help us “keep it together,” such as: Family, friends, work, prayer, and hobbies.
Most of you know that Yoga means “unity,” but do you realize you are practicing union, or unity, every day, even if you don?t officially practice in a Yoga class? Below is a list of things that you should do every day, or almost every day.
You will notice, that work should not be done every day, in order to live life in moderation. Everyone needs a day off, so enjoy your weekends, when possible, and don?t skip vacations.
Prayer is part of every religion and should be a part of every day. I don?t care what religion you practice, that is your business. Luckily, most of the religions on this planet have universal principles that apply to all. Don?t forget that, you need spiritual, physical, and mental health to be complete. By the way that?s a Yogic principle too.
Family time is so important that we have a dysfunctional generation growing up, due to lack of attention to our children. Some children don?t really know their parents, because they are sometimes brought up by someone else, or a day care center. Lack of bonding time creates inherent problems for parent and child.
Take the time to eat together without arguments and play with your children. Expose your children to religion, games, hobbies, humor, and Yoga practice. Give your spouse or partner a hug and tell them how valuable they are. Self-worth and recognition keep them going too.
Good friends should not be ignored. They are few and far between. You may find your Yoga friends to be valuable company too.
Be conscious of all the following every moment that you can. Breathing doesn?t have to be learned from your Yoga teacher and forgotten. You should practice proper breathing every moment you think of it.
Proper posturing should be practiced when you are sitting, standing, walking, eating, and using your computer. Exercise should be part of everyday and you should be conscious of your nutrition at all times.
Consuming eight glasses of water per day minimum is important for digestion, elimination, your skin, your vital organs, and removing toxins. Please spare the excuses - many people have no problem drinking eight sodas per day. By the way, that?s not good, even if it is diet soda.
Work is a must, unless you are independently wealthy. Work should also help you keep your sanity. If this is not the case, look for a job that is rewarding.
Hobbies are good for your sanity too, but like all of the above they are part of a healthy life. So, how can you make all of this fit into your life? If you go to Yoga classes, you already do.
However, if you haven?t had the time to learn or practice Yoga, you must make the time. Once you do, you will wonder why it took you so long, to start learning Yoga. You will make new friends and live a happier life.
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
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