Be Present. 

The yoga instructor begins class by asking us to “be present.” She wants us to not think about anything else and just consume ourselves with the breathing and the movements. Not only should we be there physically, but also mentally and emotionally. This principle can be applied to anything. Our minds roam so easily, constantly thinking of what we have to do next, what is going on next week or something random that we might have going on in our personal lives. However, in any situation, whether it is yoga or class or even just hanging out with friends, it is important to “be present” so you can fully engage in that activity. Clearing your mind for a certain period of time not only allows more room to understand and participate, but also institutes better concentration and fuller focus.    

Do What Feels Best.

In yoga, this means physically do what feels best.  Not everyone is the same, and we definitely do not all have the same flexibility. This can also be applied mentally and emotionally. When making decisions, make sure it’s you who decides. You might not have the same taste as your friends, or you might not deal with difficult situations the same way. It is important to remember that we all have our own personalities and therefore act in unique ways. There are so many factors that should be accounted for when trying to figure out why someone acts a particular way or makes a certain decision. Your actions and decisions should be specific to you and have your best interest in mind — always feel good about what you do.    

Gain The Most 

The instructor advises us to do what we can to gain the most out of every yoga position. This can include a slight change in an arm or leg placement, a different breathing pattern, or even just a new state of mind. Striving to gain the most out of everything that comes up in life is a great way to live life to the fullest. Even if there is a negative situation, there is still something to be gained. If there is a time where improvements can be made, articulate them. It’s up to you to progress, develop, and implement change to your life when needed.    

Feel Peace

If you have attended a yoga class, you already know that it ends with everyone lying down and closing their eyes while the instructor speaks. My favorite subject an instructor has spoken of is peace. Inviting us to think about that theme, the instructor allows us to reactivate our minds. Then she tells us to convert that thought into a feeling, with the hopes that we experience peace. Sure, it might be short-lasting in the midst of all the craziness that life presents itself with, but it is a sentiment worth inhabiting more often. We get so caught up in everything so quickly and easily that sometimes we forget to take a minute and breathe. Even if we don’t know it yet, we all have the capability of finding peace — it could be internal or external, and it doesn’t matter how, when or where. Finding peace can be difficult, but feeling it is worth the search.