Recently, I have been working on how I can better quiet my mind. Those of you, who know me well, know that I am always busy, continuously moving and racing  from one activity to the next.  So I have begun to think about ways to slow myself down, stop more often, and truly live in the moment.

As I reflect on my daily life, I realized that the time I feel most at peace, grounded, and connected is on my mat.  While there is no way to truly “turn off” our minds, a yoga class is a great way to reconnect and help the mind come back to the present, restoring clarity and alertness.

So in this week’s blog, I decided to write about how yoga can help you become more grounded and focused.  As I continue to practice yoga, I hope to apply what I learn on my mat into your everyday life and you can too!

Three ways yoga allows you to quiet the mind and become more grounded:

1. The physical practice or asanas, help us reconnect with our body. When our energy is collected and focused on our poses and alignment, the intensity of mental distractions begin to naturally lessen, helping to focus the mind.

2. Focus on the breath or pranayama. Often as we practice, our mind wants to think about everything but the breath. We may begin to daydream or worry about the future or past. Breathing does not require conscious awareness, however, when our attention is on our breath we will force ourselves to focus on the moment, staying connected to the now. When we relax and slow the pace of our breathing, the pace of our mind is similarly calmed and quieted.

3. Focus and steady your gaze or drishti. When the gaze is fixed on a single point, the mind is less likely to be distracted by thoughts and fluctuate from one idea to the next. Your drishti helps to anchor you so you can be more calm and grounded. This stillness of body and mind will create energetic stability and allow you to deepen your experience.

Practicing your of asanas (yoga poses), pranayama (breathing), and drishti (focusing) will lead you to not only a state of optimal physical health, but to a state of peace.  Yoga helps connect you to the present moment, to others, and to your true self.  So get on your mat!!

“Quiet the mind and the soul will speak”- Ma Jaya Sati Bhaga