As I have said many times via my posts as well as in my yoga class, yoga is not just a set of poses or techniques; the yogic lifestyle is an entire system that helps us become healthier and happier; something that helps us all evolve and grow as persons. This holistic approach is the best approach to fitness because it is a complete lifestyle solution as I see it. Here are some yogic lifestyle tips that I feel all of us can and should live by:
1. Practice regularly
Embrace yoga and make yoga a part of your daily routine. Prioritize it, make time for it. Don’t make any excuses that prevent regular practice.
2. Breathe right
Proper breathing techniques or Pranayam exercises are known to have very beneficial impacts on health and wellness. I believe that inculcating Pranayam practice in kids early in life can help develop healthy habits for a lifetime.
3. Relax
Taking time out for relaxation and recreation is vitally important for physical and mental wellbeing. Make sure you get enough restful sleep and enjoy pursuits that you enjoy; which make you happy. Don’t feel guilty about taking some time out for yourself.
4. Be mindful
Being mindful is about being aware of where we are, what we do, the people we are with, what we eat… being mindful of those and committing to the moment fully. Do whatever you do with love and care and to the best of your ability.
5. Eat right
It is important not only to eat the right things, but also to eat them in the right proportion, at the right time and to follow the other guidelines of a yogic diet.
6. Stay committed, motivated
Don’t slide back into unhealthy habits and lifestyles. When you start practicing healthy yogic lifestyle habits, these have their own reward; however we do sometimes get lazy and tend to let things slide. So keeping yourself motivated and committed is important too.
7. Let go of hate
Hate is corrosive, wasteful and toxic. Let go of it. Don’t give anyone else that much power over you. Rise above it and the petty concerns that occupy your mind. As you learn to let go of hate, you will find yourself to be a happier, more positive and productive person. This also helps you on your path of Ahimsa or nonviolence; one of the essential tenets of the yogic lifestyle.
8. Keep an open mind
Keeping an open mind about new experiences and other people helps you grow as a person and also lets you defeat hate. Yoga talks about looking inward and studying the self (Swadhyaya) so we can perceive what is wrong within and begin the journey of self correction.
9. Cultivate contentment
I’m not saying ambition is a bad thing. One must of course try and be the best one can possibly be. However each of us have our own strengths and weaknesses which we have to recognize and embrace. We also must have our own yardstick. Keeping up with what the neighbours do, aspiring to someone else’s lifestyle is not the yogic way. The yogic way is about calm contentment and the satisfaction that comes from knowing you did your best.
10. Help others
One aspect of helping others is to divest or declutter our own lives. Give away that which you don’t need; and reduce those needs as well. We can have little and still be perfectly happy, because having things does not increase happiness. It is giving and helping others that does! Give altruistically; give without the expectation of getting back or even receiving thanks. If you cannot donate in material terms, give your time to make things better for someone else. Enriching the lives of others enriches our own.