The Yoga rules

By Paul Jerard

At a critical point in life, we may feel as if we are in a hopeless situation. This is when some people blame the moral law of cause and effect (karma), their family members, or someone else, for a current hardship.

We can apply the principles, we learn in Yoga sessions, toward our situation in life. There are things we cannot control, such as natural disasters and economic shifts, but we are not helpless. Let's look at four steps to take control of your life.

1. Stop blaming someone or something else for your current situation. This is a disempowering method which takes away your ability to find a solution. Trial and error is a part of life. Would you place the blame on that object or person, if everything suddenly changed for the best?

Pick up the pieces, move forward, and seek solutions to your problems. It is a waste of time to blame yourself, people you know, or something else for past mistakes. Learn from your mistakes, find solutions, and apply them toward life.

2. Practice Yogic breathing techniques (pranayama). Many people see Yoga as a physical exercise only. Within some Hatha Yoga classes there is very little discussion of pranayama techniques. If you are in this situation, find a competent Yoga teacher, who emphasizes pranayama during class time.

If you think of Yoga as a physical exercise only, you are missing the point. On top of this, pranayama would still be the most valuable physical exercise because you cannot last long without air. Pranayama brings clarity and sound judgment to your thinking - resulting in a controlled mind.

3. Develop an attitude of contentment (Santosha). Be grateful for all of the good things you have in life. Write a list of all the blessed gifts you have. Look around you and be thankful for the good relationships, your ability to reason, your health, and your position in life. There is always someone in a worse situation. Be thankful for sunshine, fresh air, food, and the sounds of life.

4. Take the time for self-realization. Become aware of your presence in each moment. Learn to observe yourself without judgment. At first, this may seem to be a pointless exercise, but you will notice particular behavior patterns, which lead to success of failure. Once you know yourself, you can correct your course in life.

Reacting instantly on negative thoughts will usually result in a mistake. Therefore, when negative thoughts occur, you might want to find a rational solution or push them aside for the moment. This is much easier said, than done, but it is possible with practice.

Most people will make an excuse to avoid changing their lives. It is easier to go on living life the same way. However, applying these four Yogic steps costs nothing, but the time to practice.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html