Removing Obstacles

"May we cultivate the powers of concentration, removing obstacles that cause all of our suffering" (The Yoga Sutras).

Part of our yoga practice is to really focus on the present moment; the here and now. When we do this, we release our worrying and fretting about past or future events and can be fully present. If you are familiar with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, then you know that its basis is the notion that to change our attitudes and feelings, we need to change our thinking.

Yoga practice helps us to release (at least for a few moments) the constant 'tapes' and repetitive thoughts that roll through our minds. These repetitive thoughts often bring with them worry, stress, fear, anger, or other types of suffering. When we practice yoga, we find release in both the body and mind and slowly begin to shift and change the way that we think about and respond to things.

Does this happen immediately? Probably not. This is why yoga is considered a "practice." We need to be disciplined and continue to do the work of yoga in order to move more deeply. Whether it is our professional lives, or our spiritual lives, we don't expect to be proficient at the beginning. With study, repetition, and practice we begin to cultivate our skills and slowly realize that our self doubt and other perceived obstacles are largely of our own making.

May you be open to new ways of thinking and being today!
Peace,