Finding the Good

As many of you know, I try to prompt my yoga students to consider a moment or two for a gratitude practice at the end of class during final relaxation. Hopefully you find this to be helpful and find that it is something that helps you leave class on a more positive note.

Our brains are wired to think and to solve problems. As a result, if something negative happens to us, our brain uses that as an opportunity for thinking and learning, and hopefully the result of that thinking is making new choices in the future to avoid more negative experiences. Unfortunately, if this process is left on its own, our brains tend to keep reviewing and thinking about negative experiences long after it is of any help to us. Worry, anxiety, and endless fretting then become the order of the day.

In 2005, a psychologist name Martin Seligman led a research project on depression. His research found that one factor that promoted happiness and decreased depressive symptoms was a practice of having research participants write down 3 things or positive events from each day. This gratitude practice gets the brain to stop pursuing negative events and shifts the focus to what is going right and what has been positive for us. It interrupts our persistent negative thinking that can lead to stress and feeling overwhelmed.

As a practice, yoga allows us to slow down a bit, to examine our thinking, and to be in touch with our bodies. The next time you are on the mat, notice if your mind begins to list and catalog all of your faults, weaknesses, lack of flexibility, whatever it is. See if you can switch up your thinking by considering what is positive in each moment and posture. You'll begin to see new strength, added endurance, better balance, and an overall appreciation for everything that your body is capable of.
Pause, breathe, and consider 3 things that were awesome about your yoga practice. Find the good!

NO YOGA CLASS TODAY!

It should be pretty obvious at this point, but we DO NOT have yoga today due to weather conditions! Stay home and off the roads! Peace

Welcome to 2018

May this be your best year yet! I am looking forward to getting new yoga sessions started next week after some time off to celebrate the holidays. I love the parties and gatherings of Christmas and New Years Eve, but I've gotta say, I am really ready to get back to a routine and to see you all enjoying yoga again!

Here's the schedule for classes:

Monday: Advent United Methodist Church Eagan. 4:30-5:30pm 6 class session cost is $50. Dates: January 8-February 12.

Tuesday: Glendale United Methodist Church Savage. 4:30-5:30pm 6 class session cost is $50. Dates: January 9- February 13.

Thursday: All Saints Lutheran Church Eagan. 7-8pm 6 class session cost is $50 Dates: January 11-February 15.

Please bring your payments (cash/check) with you to the first class and bring your punch card if you have one!

Invite your friends and neighbors. As a reminder, if new folks want to try out some yoga, you can attend for a $10 drop in fee. If you will miss a class, you are welcome to attend class at another site to complete a make-up class.

See you on the mat!!

Peace