Today is your gateway to the future, so begin to put in place the building blocks
for a cleaner, better version of you, starting now
W
e are what we repeatedly do. Hence, if you
gulp down a ton of chocolate every day and
night mindlessly watching TV for hours on the
sofa, then don’t expect to be your best, most
vibrant self anytime soon. Nothing wrong with
watching TV or the occasional binge, but let’s get real here. If you
want to be fit and strong, healthy and happy, then we need to pay
attention to our daily habits and whether they truly align with how
or what we aspire to be. Yes, the top yoga teachers do still watch
TV and they do still eat chocolate (it’s chocolate we’re talking
about, after all!)...but it’s all about finding the right balance.
Albert Einstein reckoned the definition of madness was doing
the same thing over and over again and expecting to get different
results. So, guys, it’s time for a change. Luckily, transforming your
life isn’t rocket science (or quantum physics, in Einstein’s case).
Long-term change starts with identifying your patterns and then
adjusting your behaviours accordingly. Yoga can help with this.
Tuning in to the body and the breath during your time on the mat
is a wonderful (and remarkably simple) way to start rediscovering
yourself; to relearn about your beautiful body and extraordinary
mind. It’s here where we can also start to appreciate the simplicity
of life, how amazing each of us really is, and how interconnected
all of us ultimately are.
If that all sounds too complicated then there is a shortcut. Cut
through most of the diet and detox advice out there and you’re
left with two very simple rules: Move more. Eat less. For the vast
majority of people (where there are no other medical or other
complications involved) then it’s pretty simple to start creating the
best version of you. Starting today! Here, we show you how to get
going straight away — effortlessly and fuss-free — to create the
life of your dreams using nothing more than the power of yoga.Do yoga
If you adopt one new habit this year, then make it yoga. Not to tone
those abs (although, spoiler alert...that can happen too!), but just to
treat your body to the regular movement it craves. Whatever yourClean up your act
goals or plans — to travel, get healthy, find a new job — it can
provide you with the motivation and stimulus you need.Here are five other ways in which a regular yoga practice
can trigger positive change in 2018:1
Feel good factor: yoga makes you feel good. It’s been well
documented that yoga can trigger a whole flurry of positive
emotions and responses, ideal for those struggling with
stress. So roll out your mat for the good vibes and let all that
positivity wash over you.2
Find your tribe: there’s a great community spirit within
yoga, which can have a massive positive impact especially
for any individuals that may be feeling isolated. Do yoga and
plug in to a vast (and often social) network of like-minded people.3
Clean eating: yoga can make you more aware of what
you put into your body. Clean eating doesn’t have to be
complicated. You don’t have to gulp green juices or go out
and buy goji berries to be healthier. Start with not over eating...
even if you do nothing else, just watch what and how much you
typically consume on a daily basis. Then take it from there. Yoga is
the perfect way to learn about your body and what you put into it.4
Soul searching: not everyone goes looking for the
deeper meanings in yoga, but you might be surprised
what you find once you hit the mat. Spending time alone
on the yoga mat, or in a class with an experienced teacher, can
lead to some unexpected insights.5
Quieten the mind: yoga and meditation can help you
feel calm and at ease, the perfect counter to the busyness
of modern life. If you’re looking for a break from all that
hectic living, especially after Christmas, then head for your local
yoga studio.