Santosha: Contentment

Today, let's explore the 2nd niyama from Patanjali's 2nd limb of ashtanga yoga, santosha or contentment.
Happiest with some sweet treat in each hand as a child, I wonder how much I've changed in my search for joy and fulfillment. 

What is it that makes us content? Being okay with how we how things are in our lives? Spending time with loved ones, nature, ourselves? Accepting our lot? Each of us yearns for inner peace.

संतोष santosha literally means completely satisfied or content. In fact, in this state, we are so content that we desire nothing else. According to TKV Desikachar, when we are focused on what we have, we are in the moment. When we are focused on what we don't have, we are not in the moment.

If we yearn, we are not fulfilled. Society tells us do, strive, more, bigger, faster, keep moving, never settle. 

Overcoming through Mindfulness: What can we do?

• Do the footwork towards a goal and let go of the results.
• Maintain an attitude of gratitude.
• Being calm and content does not mean we are bored.
• Literally, stop and smell the roses.
• Focus on your breath. Breathe deeply again and again.
• Listen to children, partners and older people.
• Look into people's eyes when you are talking to them.
• Don't text or read your phone while walking or driving.
• Show appreciation for small kindnesses.
• Greet your postal worker, bagger, and others you might overlook.
• Spend time in nature.
• Turn off your phone in the evenings or during meals.
• Sit quietly for 5 minutes each morning.
• Schedule your day so you don't have to rush.

Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 2.42  संतोष अनुत्तमः सुख लाभः santosha anuttamah sukha labhah tells us that if we are content with what we have, we will be joyful. From this state of mind, we will be able to move on to deeper yogic practices. It is possible as a yogi entrepreneur, mom, partner, friend, daughter, etc. to be and feel gratified in each and every moment.

I'd love to hear what you do to be mindful, in the present moment and content. Thank you for reading.

5 Simple Steps to Change Your Relationship with Food

Tropical Fruit

I've been talking a lot about food lately and one of the most powerful tools we have to deal with how we eat is our mind.
We all know willpower is not an innate trait. Can we train our mind to relate to food in a different more positive way? Absolutely!
How you ask? Mindfulness. What is mindfulness you ask? It is simply becoming aware of what we are doing. In this case, eating.
Here are five simple steps that will begin to change your relationship to food:

1. Sit for a moment before you eat with your eyes closed (even if it's a snack.)
2. Open your eyes and look at the food in front of you.
3. Think about the nourishment you are about to consume. (If you don't like what you see on your plate, don't eat it.)
4. Eat slowly; chewing your food and tasting each bite. If it doesn't taste fulfilling, stop eating.
5. When you are partly through your meal, check in with yourself. Complete your meal when you are 2/3 full.

Try this exercise with each and every meal. I know time is limited. It will literally take a few moments. And yes, those moments can rock your world. Note the thoughts that occur while you go through this experience.

Some things you might consider:

• How and who prepares your food?
• Where does your food come from? 
• How are the people treated your harvest your food?
• Make sure you are in a safe place when you eat, with people you enjoy. 
• Avoid arguments, electronics (i.e. TV, phone), and negativity during meals. 
• Set up your eating experience to feel warm, safe, comfortable. 
• Prepare your food thoughtfully. I like to chant when I'm cooking. Some people enjoy music.

I can hear the distention already-"TIME", "I can't control who makes my food or where it comes from", "NO TIME." If you've stayed with me thus far, thank you.

I know you are busy. We are all busy and it seems as time passes, we are getting busier. I am of the mindset that we need to change our level of busy-ness. Some things need to be fast--like our internet connection, but some things were meant to be slow--like building relationships and eating.

The next few weeks I'll be taking a look at easy ways to slow down and build a mindfulness practice. 

You might even consider building a meditation practice if you don't already have one. I am offering a month-long program to build a meditation practice in November. Click here for details.

I would love, love, love to hear about your experiences with this eating mindfulness exercise. Please share below!

The Angry Yogi

Anger: an emotional response to being or feeling threatened. The body kicks into a flight or fight response when we feel threatened. 

If you know me, you know that I am pretty level-headed most of the time, but I do get angry. I might even yell at my kids from time to time and get frustrated when driving. I have had people say things about angry yogis as if we are not supposed to have what are perceived by our society as negative emotions-fear, anger, envy, jealousy, frustration. 

One thing is certain and that is that I have less anger when I am doing my practice regularly and when it's the right practice for me. Most importantly I meditate and keep gratitude in the fore front of my mind. I also need to take care of my human needs-food, sleep, exercise. 

Is it okay to express anger when your a yogi? Of course! As with most things, there are appropriate ways to let off steam, and anger is energy, heat energy. With time, anger, like heat, will naturally dissipate. Guilt for feeling anger does not help the situation. One thing we can do is to observe and be mindful of those situations, people and places that affect us and decide if and how we will do them in the future. 

Causes: Some of the main causes of anger are that we don't get what we want; we're afraid we'll lose something we have; patterns (samskaras); driving; relationships; it's hot outside; we didn't sleep well last night; our diet sucks; we make other poor health choices, etc.

What can you do? 

Breathe 
Meditate regularly
Count to 10
Talk to someone
Take a walk in nature
Listen to calming music
Chant
Breathe
Exercise
Take Action 
Do appropriate asana for our body type, climate and age 
Follow our routines that support a healthy lifestyle

Prevention is key--being proactive can help avoid many situations that could lead us into blowing our top. Taking care of our health is the first step. Also, doing what we need to do so stress and frustration don't overtake our lives, avoiding dangerous relationships, procrastination, and other things that trigger our anger. Following guidelines and routines for our dosha, season, and ability are also helpful.

If you have other ideas, please share them.