Helping you attract your wishes and desires, a positive statement affirming a personal goal as if it has already happened eg. “I feel so blessed to be working in my dream job” (naming the job). Repeat this statement three times at regular intervals throughout the day.
An affirmation is any thought that we think or phrase that we speak which we believe to be true. This can be positive or negative. The human condition tends to be program to negative connotations – especially about ourselves. By repeating these statements over and over we infuse them with energy and end up creating more of the same. Perhaps on looking in the mirror as we get dressed we might think to ourselves, “I need to lose weight.” We are affirming. “I am overweight.” If we are affirming this regularly, each morning, in thought or words we are believing it to be true and as a result tend to stay in the same cycle of believing we are overweight.
This simple practice can have profound effects on our mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. It can be done almost anywhere, is inexpensive and perfection is not the goal, so anything goes – slang, text speak or even profanity if necessary. It is for our eyes only and we may or may not ever read it again.
Journaling can bring about clarity in stressful situations. It is a means of self-reflection and may also bring unresolved emotions to the surface. It can be a creative and/or spiritual practice, but not essentially so. As we relax into the writing we may find inspirational ideas arise. Generally, it is a mindful practice, being in the present moment with our writing materials.
All is required is anything from a notebook and pen to a quality ornate and perhaps lockable journal and a selection of writing/colouring materials for a more creative experience. The choice is unique to you.
Meditation promotes better sleep patterns, eases stress and anxiety, a relaxation tool and also one method of connecting with your spiritual nature. If you are new to meditation it can take some time and perseverance to quieten the mind and be still and it is best to start with short practices of 5 – 10 mins sitting upright in a chair regularly rather than lengthy practices which may be more challenging to sustain. There are many forms of meditation so finding one that suits you can be very rewarding. The general purpose is the same, whereby our busy minds are given a specific focus to help switch off the constant thought process for a time; to still the body and to stop or be in the moment, not the past or the future.
We each have a natural drive to create and some of us are more connected to this than others. We need to create in order to meet satisfy our self-expression and identify with one of the most unique parts of who we truly are. When this is unfulfilled we can feel lost or that something is missing in our lives. We may not feel like a whole person. What we create is not important. It could be writing, drawing, painting, photography, gardening, singing or designing. What is important is that we are bringing something into form from nothing.
Our creativity is unique. There is something inside everyone that through creative expression gives meaning and purpose to our lives and in more cases than not the lives of others. Perhaps we need to be brave and persistent to allow it to emerge, resting in the knowledge that it is in there waiting to found.
Many yoga teachers will give cues on techniques on reaching poses and sometimes a tweak in the right direction can help master a posture that was perceived as unattainable. The important question to ask yourself is how it feels in your body. You may be holding tension in certain areas and will reach the posture over time. When you achieve a posture there should be a sense that it feels right in your body. Your energy body (or pranamaya kosha in Sanskrit) will respond and there will be a sense of ease in the pose.
Of course, we all have our favourites and then the ones that we dread. We don’t want to force our bodies anywhere they are not ready to go and this should be balanced with challenging ourselves as well. Here are some of the popular yoga poses with instructions on how to achieve effectively. Ensure your body is well stretched and warmed up before attempting these poses and consult advice of a qualified yoga teacher if postures are causing any adverse pain or discomfort. Always consult your GP before practising yoga with any serious injuries or conditions.