Australian_Yoga_Journal_2016_08_09_downmagaz.com

Take the (mental) road less travelled
We all have ways in which we think of ourselves – and ways in which we believe others define us: smart, athletic, type A, scatterbrained.
“We get so attached to these labels that it can be incredibly difficult to do something outside of them,” says Tsaousides. In the Yoga Sutras, these
patterns are called samskaras – mental and emotional habits through which we continuously cycle. Repeating our samskaras only reinforces
them, creating little ‘grooves’ of thought and feeling that become our go-to patterns. Yet it is possible to steer out of these negative grooves,
says Brenner, by reframing how we view the world, our relationships, and – perhaps most importantly – ourselves. Try these expert-approved
exercises to help you find freedom from the negative samskaras that might be hindering your realisation of a more fulfilled self.
Realise that your ‘rules’ can be
the exception.
“We get used to our usual thought patterns
and feelings, but it’s important to
understand that staying in them is a
choice,” says Brenner. So, recognise
whatever your storyline is and become more
aware of it – ideally, when you’re playing it
on repeat in your mind. Maybe you
habitually beat yourself up after receiving
constructive criticism from your co-workers
or boss and tell yourself you’re not smart
enough to do a great job. Or perhaps you
have a long to-do list but can’t seem to get
started because you’ve failed to complete
those tasks in the past – so why would this
time be any different? Simply looking at the
confines of your typical thoughts and
behaviours will make you more likely to
see their limits, and in so doing, come to
recognise that other options are always
available. “When you realise your
self-imposed boundaries, that’s when you
can work toward making a change,” says
Brenner.
Sit with yourself.
All too often, we’ll exercise or attend yoga
class just for the physical benefits or to
connect with friends, which is great.
But it’s also important to carve out time
for quiet reflection, whether that’s sitting
down to meditate every morning or simply
having a cup of tea each night in relative
silence. “Collaborative thinking and
community support are great ways to
help fuel your creativity and move you
in a positive direction, but in order to
implement changes, you need to get
quiet so you can process that input and
determine your next best steps,” says
Christine Whelan, PhD, a professor at the
School of Human Ecology at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison.
Make small changes.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a
new habit or do a complete life turnaround
– say, by quitting your job or moving across
the country – in order to tap into new
thoughts and ideas. “Start by trying
something as innocuous as driving a
different route to work or mixing up your
usual breakfast menu,” says Tsaousides.
Yes, even such seemingly minor changes
can help train your brain to be open to –
and get ready for – bigger shifts. It’s like
building up your tolerance to change so that
when something big comes along, you can
handle it with ease, he says.
Get comfy with discomfort.
Part of the work of shedding old patterns
involves embracing the fact that you might
feel awkward or even slightly miserable in
your new, unfamiliar world. The best way to
practice this acceptance is to repeatedly
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