MARCH 2017 MIAMI
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HEALTHY KIDS · <strong>MARCH</strong> <strong>2017</strong><br />
RAISING AWARENESS<br />
THROUGH YOGA<br />
The moment we step on the mat there is a shift inside us. Worldwide, yoga is seen as both a physical<br />
and spiritual practice. But what does that really mean? It means changing the lens inside our mind’s<br />
eye. It means creating a shift in our physical and mental perception. Yoga asanas (postures) are only<br />
the gate into the gifts that yoga can bring. The reason we go to classes or work with an instructor<br />
one on one is for guidance far deeper than just stepping a foot forward, lunging or doing down dogs. It’s to<br />
create awareness of our present moment that is easily found in the physical body. Our minds can daydream of<br />
many different places, but pinch yourself and you are instantly brought back to the now.<br />
We step on the mat to leave our daily hustle<br />
and bustle, and find peace and quiet. But<br />
does this shift occur if the mind is not still<br />
or if we are not feeling physically well? The<br />
minute we start moving through the poses,<br />
our minds let go of the chatter and focuses<br />
on the quiet transitions, on the sound<br />
and feeling of breath filling our bodies. All<br />
this happens gradually over the course of<br />
time and with guidance from a qualified<br />
instructor. When we reach that place of<br />
quiet, an awareness blossoms!<br />
Yoga means to unite, to yoke together,<br />
in Sanskrit, an ancient Hindu language.<br />
This union is of the mind, the body and<br />
the spirit. Awareness lies within this realm<br />
of consciousness, removing the veil of<br />
ignorance into the self. Many scholars have<br />
written about this connection to self through<br />
diligent practice of the yoga asanas, through<br />
contemplation, studying and meditating,<br />
all for the same goal: to<br />
reach a state of being<br />
cognizant of our<br />
thoughts, words and<br />
actions.<br />
As famed yogi BKS Iyengar said, “Yoga for<br />
me as I understand is to unite the body<br />
with the mind, and taking body and mind<br />
together to bring it in par with the eternal<br />
evergreen state of the self,” meaning that<br />
when we practice with steadfastness, focus<br />
and good intention, we can all reach a level<br />
of awareness equal to spiritual masters. We<br />
can all reach that level if we want it!<br />
The changes are evident fairly quickly as we<br />
first notice physical benefits of flexibility,<br />
strength and endurance. Then others start<br />
to pop up. We notice that we are more<br />
tolerant, less anxious, able to focus more,<br />
not stressed, and more open to change and<br />
acceptance. These all are benefits of being<br />
aware of how special we truly are as humans<br />
and can create change always and whenever.<br />
Yoga keeps taking us deeper as<br />
we continue examining how the mind works,<br />
how we can turn the chatter on and off at<br />
will. The mind is merely an action that can<br />
be stopped.<br />
Just as we can control our walking, we<br />
can stop the thoughts that flood our<br />
daily existence. Take a look one day: Sit<br />
in silence with yourself and listen to what’s<br />
going on inside the mind. Then try to look<br />
for the silence behind those thoughts. The<br />
physical practice of yoga can train us to<br />
create that quiet, to be able to notice the<br />
gaps between thought and breath. When<br />
the body is healthy and strong, we can<br />
focus on making the mind equally as healthy<br />
and strong. Some yogis can stop their<br />
heartbeats; some can live without food or<br />
water for weeks, months. This is all due to<br />
mental control and pure awareness of their<br />
bodies in connection to mind and self.<br />
The more we practice attentiveness to<br />
ourselves, the easier it becomes to notice<br />
the beauty in living. We allow the limited time<br />
we have to infuse us with inspiration for the<br />
betterment of our daily lives and appreciate<br />
how they affect others around us. The best<br />
part is, anyone can practice yoga.It is a<br />
practice designed to improve life one breath<br />
at a time, one pose at a time.<br />
“Be the change that you wish to see in the<br />
world.” Mahatma Gandhi.<br />
Namaste (The divine being within me<br />
honors, salutes and respects the divine being<br />
within you.)<br />
“YOGA FOR ME AS I UNDERSTAND IS TO UNITE<br />
THE BODY WITH THE MIND, AND TAKING BODY<br />
AND MIND TOGETHER TO BRING IT IN PAR WITH<br />
THE ETERNAL EVERGREEN STATE OF THE SELF”<br />
-BKS IYENGAR<br />
By Arianne Traverso<br />
Yoga Teacher RYT 500<br />
28 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
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