Let me be honest. Getting real about the mind and our thoughts...

I’ve had some experience that there is an expectation as someone who teaches and practices yoga, we are to be calm, collected and grounded at ALL times and free from negative thought patterns **no pressure** lol

First up....nah!!! We are all in this together as human beings and we experience life like everyone else. The good, the bad and the ugly as they say. However, what I will share is, there is the wonderful thing called mental clarity. It’s like the bonus gift of yoga that supports you when you need it. Mental clarity of course is available to everyone but in my experience yoga has helped to enhance it and make it easier to obtain.

So I lovingly introduce to you the concept of.... the mental clarity catcher - ta dahhh!!!!! (So the name needs some work....but it does have a certain ring to it right??!!! OK maybe not). Anyway MENTAL CLARITY comes in various forms but it can look something like this.

The mind bounces about, from thought to thought, but through mindful practices you can learn to “catch it” before it dances off into its whirlwind storm of irrational disconnecting thoughts. Particularly when the thoughts are what I like to refer to as "non-supportive" to me. Thoughts that come from unnecessary fear, jealousy, self doubt, judgement, attachment - you get the gist.

Catching Non Supportive Thoughts

Earlier this week I was relaying a story to my husband (ahem... I was gossiping!!!) and I started to hear my words and noticed I was talking from a judgemental fear based place. Then (some how) I managed to stop myself mid sentence & caught myself basically talking a load of nonsense. So when our thoughts and minds meander into these non supportive thoughts we can learn to start to HEAR our own words (or thoughts) and then we notice and catch ourselves.

It’s a bit dorky but sometimes when my mind gets a little heavy with this stuff. I use mantra to help. When I get caught in a fearful thought pattern which is non supportive I recite this mantra;

“Thank you fear for arising, I acknowledge you but I don’t wish to spend anymore time in this thought state”

It can be used for judgement, anxiety - literally anything. It’s can take practise but it does also offer some mental space and clarity.

Also I want to address this notion of the modern yogi or yogini and how harsh we can be on ourselves to “look” and behave in a certain way. I’m here to tell you that’s a total illusion and complete rubbish (as much as I love instagram, social media will have you believe you aren't good enough, and I'm not having that... )

Please don’t think to be a conscious / loving / spiritual / [insert your word here] you have to be in this permanent state of bliss and ease... as much as I love how yoga and spiritual practices can make you feel like unicorns and rainbows pahahaaaa *im kidding of course* - most of our true learning comes out of the super repetitive mundane thoughts and actions we have on a daily basis including mistakes, sadness and hardships. I remind myself here that yoga is union and embracing all aspects of the self, even the silly bits like chatting rubbish. Embrace your flaws, recognise when you gossip (I’m talking to myself here 🙂) and check in once in a while to that mental clarity! It is amazing what we can do when we really HEAR ourselves right?!

SENDING ALL THE PEACE xx

#Spirituality #Mindfulness #Thoughts #Honesty #Yogaexpectations