"An optimist expects his dreams to come true; a pessimist expects his nightmares to." ~ Laurence J. Peter
Are you ready for today to be the day your dreams come true? What if you shifted your mindset and each morning when you opened your eyes, you decided today would be your best day, regardless of external events? Yoga reminds us that we cannot control anything except our reactions to what’s occurring around us. According to the Yoga Sutras eight-limbed yoga path, we can achieve happiness and peace by turning inward. All we need is within us.
If we cultivate gratitude and a sense of Santosha, or contentment, we are one step closer to making each day our best day. Yoga Sutra 2:33, Pratipaksha Bhavana, states, “When negative thoughts present themselves to cultivate and think the opposite thoughts with feeling.” This philosophy encourages us to repetitively practice replacing negative thought patterns with positive ones until the positive attitude becomes the default.
To deepen this habit, jot down three things you’re grateful for, either in the morning or evening. Learning to appreciate all that we do have as opposed to focusing on what we lack is a fantastic way to create a peaceful mind and heart. By making gratitude a habit, it begins to be your default, instead of stress and anxiety or lack.
By focusing on the positive, by committing to breath and movement, you’ll be living in the present moment. Whatever you practice on your yoga mat transfers to your life off the mat. You’ll delve deeper into your yoga, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Then, you’ll be able to transfer these lessons to the remaining twenty-three hours of your day and have your best day––every day.
Decide that today will be your best day yet! If you can imagine your most perfect day, you can create it. Try this week’s classes to help you tune into feeling fantastic right now!
Good Morning Flow 3: Tune In - Jackie Casal Mahrou
Daily Flow - Jesse Fuller
Turn Your Day Around - Keith Allen
Morning Yoga Ritual - Elise Fabricant