“World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.” ~Dalai Lama XIV
Yoga is many different things to many different people but at its core, yoga is a tool to create a quiet mind and a serene heart. Yoga reminds us that we cannot control external events; we can only control our reaction to them.
Our world is a hectic place these days and if you’ve felt helpless seeing all the suffering, you aren’t alone. The power of the individual can radiate out to the collective. So if we work to increase our own love and compassion and share it with those around us, and others do the same thing, we can create a more peaceful world.
An excellent starting point is to balance our Anahata (Heart) Chakra. Love lives in our hearts and Anahata is associated with selflessness and with enlarging our capacity for compassion. Love and fear are two sides of a coin and when we’re stuck in fear, or when we cannot forgive others, we shut down. We aren’t as kind to others because we fear being hurt and our energy impacts those around us.
Through asanas (postures) like Urdhva Dhanurasana (Back Bend) and Ustrasana (Camel Pose), we create physical openings in our chests, and create space in our hearts to love. Mantras are another powerful tool to shift your energy. Chanting mantras, like Om Shanti Om, perpetuates a sense of peacefulness. Om is a sacred sound and Shanti is the Sanskrit word for peace.
When we breathe and move mindfully, we cultivate tranquility within and can spread that peaceful energy to those around us. Yoga practices can focus specifically on cultivating peace of mind. We’ve got four new classes for you that emphasize finding stillness.
The Yogic Way: Peace Within and Without - Annie Coyle
Kundalini For Peace of Mind - Marie Castello
Kemetic Flow: Love & Unity - Ali Duncan
Evening Chill - Flowing into Stillness - Mary Baker