From My Mat To My Mind

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Last week I discussed detoxing. More specifically detoxing your body by eating nutrient rich, whole food. But what I failed to realize is that ‘detoxing’ is about much more than resetting your body, cleansing your system, and starting with a fresh slate. It just so happens that a yoga practice brought me to this realization. Let me explain.

When I walked into class last Tuesday, my teacher asked the class whether anyone would be interested in a detox flow. She said she felt ‘summer-ed out’…basically she hadn’t been treating her body very well and wanted to undo some of that stress she put on it (and they we have done to ourselves!) through a great detoxifying flow. I had never done a detox flow before and didn’t really know what to expect, but I am all about trying new things so I raised my hand!

She explained that detox flows involve long warmups, a series of inversions, and then a lot of twisting to really ring out your body and release all the things you’ve been holding on to….literally and figuratively.

The class ended up being very challenging. Definitely one of the sweatiest I have ever experienced and midway through I was thinking to myself ‘with all this sweat I am definitely releasing some toxins’. But then something my teacher said hit me. She remarked that detoxing the body is important…yes….but what’s more important is detoxing the mind. Negative thoughts are toxins that are just as harmful for our bodies as the toxins in the environment and our food. In fact toxic thoughts do MORE bad to our internal systems and organs than our surroundings could ever do. They are like poisons that seep into every crevice of our being and slowly break us down from the inside out. The pollute our minds, cloud our judgment, and fill our heads with all sorts of falsities…about ourselves, about others, and about the world around us.

Whether you’re thinking negatively about out others or about yourself, those type of thoughts are TOXIC. They are all the same and all serve the same purpose, to weaken us physically and mentally.

I left class with a completely clear mind. Not only did I feel physically clean and free, but my mind felt renewed and refreshed as well. In fact, like my teacher said, I think I got more mental benefits out of that class than physical!

And to think I wasn’t even really excited for class that day! That’s right, I woke up not really feeling in a yoga mood. But since I can only make it to class once a week now, I got myself to go. I convinced myself that I always feel amazing after a practice and that I’d regret it if I didn’t hit my mat. And that’s the other thing I wanted to leave you with today….the thought that sometimes, you just have to SHOW UP.

Most of the mental struggles we face in life come from contemplating our next decision or thinking about the future. But in reality, half the battle is just deciding to go, choose, or do the next thing that you are worrying about facing. It applies to many areas in life, but especially workouts! Most of the time, if you can just get yourself to your class, to the gym, or outside for the run, you’ll be able to accomplish what you set out to do. It’s just that initial moment of starting that can seem so daunting. But we are a lot more capable to things than we give ourselves credit for!

And on the occasion when you do start something and still feel like you’re not into it or can’t finish, that’s okay to! That means you’re listening to and in tune with your body, which is just as important as the notion of ‘just showing up’.

Okay, I know I through a lot of thoughts at you in this post, but I just had to get this all out! I love love love when a yoga class inspires a post. I always can just feel the words flowing out of my fingers as soon as I get home. Organic, natural writing is the best kind in my opinion.

So I challenge you to two things. Consider doing a detox…not of your body, but of your mind. Take some time to clear your head, come to a place of peace and centrality, and start fresh with some positivity and optimism. And number two, next time you’re doubting your abilities to do something, JUST SHOW UP. Make the decisions to go or start something and you’ll be amazed as what you can accomplish when you just get yourself to the place you want to go. Just show up mentally and physically…your body and mind will take care of the rest.

It only feels right to end this post filled with yogi wisdom with the classic yogic saying….

Namaste.

Have you ever considered the mindfulness side of ‘detox’?

What’s your favorite way to ‘reset’ your mind?

Do you find it’s easier to get things done if you just get yourself to start?

Kaila 

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Todays’s Healthy Help: Mailed some bills for my uncle.

Never too early to start Lending a {Healthy} Hand for this week’s round-up! Tell me what you’ve done to help someone else lately!