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Happy September lovely friends and yogis,
This last month has been a fun and busy one for my company. There have been two cat yogas, three lessons to military teams, Red Cat Yoga's first Full Moon Yoga, private lessons with my wonderful clients and regular Wednesday yoga on Fort Carson.
This busy month has made me remember what a privilege it is to teach yoga.
Teaching Yoga to two military Rugby Teams this month has been particularly rewarding . I was initially unsure how the teams would feel about the savasana and yoga mindfulness elements. I was so impressed at their ability and willingness to take this part of Yoga with the same resolve and professionalism as they did the rest.
Their willingness to let go together with their positive comments afterwards, reminded me what an important element of our yoga practice the quiet reflection and relaxation is.
The mission for these athletes on the field is to push their bodies to the extreme. They make split decisions on the field in seconds which not only involve themselves but the outcome of the whole team. So they push their minds too. If their split second decision went well their minds and spirits can be boosted if that split second did not go well it is easy to analyze it and feel negativity and self criticism.
My mission was to help them recover and give space to process their training and its effect on their body and minds. To allow space for recovery, relaxation and reflection. The mindfulness part of yoga ended up being the greatest tool I could share with them.
Just as athletes push their bodies and minds for their team; many of us push ourselves to benefit others. Often there seems to be more at stake when we are trying so hard for others. We analyze our perceived weaknesses like economists examine stocks and shares. We go over and over things things that did not go quite right and lose sleep over how it could have been - had we done it 'right'.
Just like in team sports there are personal after game reviews. A decision we have taken in a second becomes a 30 minute review. Judgement and regret are so simple to find in a thirty minute review and it is so easy to forget that a decision was made in a second - and at that time, under pressure, that decision was the best one. How can we learn to let go 'judgement' and treat that short moment as a learning experience? How can we allow ourselves to process and find grace and curiosity rather than stay in regret and self judgement ? It is beneficial to find a quiet space where we can remove ourselves from overthinking. This space allows true processing rather than dwelling in a space where the verdict has already been decided. The worry that you are underachieving or not good enough or even the worry that there is not enough time to get everything done well. The feeling that every decision feels like one made in a second. A constant buzz of worry. The Thinking Mind Shift can offer a reset button.
The Thinking Mind Shift Method
The Thinking Mind Shift is a path to a destination. The destination is relaxation and total reset. Savasana, meditation or even a quiet moment is the perfect time to use the Thinking Mind Shift.
The Thinking Mind Shift is a pose to learn like any others. Even though the pose is sitting or lying in stillness, it is really an advanced pose. But like any other pose the journey is the destination. Observing how your body reacts, offering chances for body and mind to soften becomes the journey. Allowing curiosity before mastery is the best method.
How do we start ?
Allow Time. We have a busy part of our mind that s constantly assessing situations, reflecting on others and making those split second decisions. It is important and a vital part of our growth. But, it does not have to constantly be in use. This constant use can lead to burnout. The first place to start is to acknowledge that finding a method to relax is the first part.
Locate a quiet space for your body and then within your body a space for your mind to move to. We have a busy part of our mind. Imagine this busy part of our mind as the very front of our brain - a space right behind our forehead. The area that can wrinkle up and frown as we concentrate or worry. The busy part is an extremely useful space but can be connected to our stress and anxiety, but it does not have to be constantly working. There is a space behind our busy mind. There is a vast space, where there is room and quiet for our overworked thinking mind.
Activate the Shift. Activating the Thinking Mind Shift is a conscious shift of the busy thinking mind into this vast and quiet space. Imagine the Thinking Mind as a part of your body, it is an elite athlete, working to the most of its capacity and making split moment decisions. The Thinking Mind needs a resting space just like every other part of your body. Imagine the shift to be a simple placement. Imagine lifting your busy thinking mind as though it was a document or email. I can place it in a folder in a space where it is safe and move the thinking away from the busy and settle it into a roomy, quiet space where it can rest and process.
Stay there for a while. As I mentioned before the Thinking Mind Shift is a pose worth cultivating. If your mind shifts back to thoughts and to dos gently shift it back. It is a rewarding pose without teaching our mind how to find a resting place away from constant thoughts and self judgement restless sleep and or anxiety can be a permanent state.
Try a shift and let me know how it goes. The relaxation of both your body and mind is a worthy and a healthy goal.
If I can help you in your yoga practice or on your mindfulness journey, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Laura McCracken
Owner of Red Cat Yoga
Our own Red Cat Monthly Moment - Hello Alfie.
Our own Red Cat Monthly Moment - Hello Alfie.
Upcoming events
Upcoming events
Come join me at Full Moon Yoga Click HERE for details
Hiking yoga events coming in September.
Cat Yoga Sign Up HERE
Yoga at the Ivy FitNess Center on Fort Carson
Yoga at the Ivy FitNess Center on Fort Carson
4:30pm every Wednesday
4:30pm every Wednesday
Everyone Welcome.
Pose of the Month
Pose of the Month
Puppy Dog POse
Puppy Dog POse
(Uttana Shishosana)
Benefits
Stretches and lengthens hips, shoulders, arms, knees and legs..
Helps spinal flexibility and range of motion.
Lengthens the spine.
Opens up your, diaphragm and improves breathing.
Alignment and posture - with the strengthening of stability muscles.
Aids the balance of emotions.
Assists awareness and focus.
De-stressing and relaxing
Thank you so much for reading this - you are so valued.
Please consider joining me in a community lesson or private lesson - in person or online. I would be honored to assist you in your Yoga or Mindfulness journey.
Monthly Affirmation.
Monthly Affirmation.
300 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification
Mindfulness Coaching Certification
200 hour Yoga Teacher Certification
Trauma Informed Yoga
Yoga Nidra
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