Living Your Yoga for the Holidays

Here is a simple way of "Living Your Yoga" on Thanksgiving Day.

These are little samples of making your life more peaceful - it's a small part of the Yoga Sutras simplified (commentary) by Mimi. The Yoga Sutras can be hard to understand - so I have picked out some of the Yoga Sutras and designed them according to my life... (yikes - my life exposed). Take in what you like and let go of what doesn't resonate with you.

Stress - Has your mind been running non-stop and your "to do" list is on repeat as the holidays rapidly approaches? Between writing your grocery list and researching a new way to cook sweet potatoes. Maybe it's your your daily routine filled with "too much" - your stress levels could be skyrocketing.

If you’re nodding your head in agreement, Let's take a deep breath and decide to approach things in a different manner this year.

Let's view Thanksgiving with a yoga perspective!!

This is based on the sacred texts of the Yoga Sutras, the author, Pantanjali, writes about the eight Limbs of Yoga. These limbs, or steps, offer a guide as to how to live a meaningful and peaceful life.

Yoga is not all the poses/asanas. Living your yoga is “off the mat” ~ yamas and niyamas. The yamas and niyamas refer to personal observances and restraints. Here are some useful ones that could be especially helpful during this time of year:

Ahimsa means the act of nonviolence.

For some people, this means not eating meat.

NOT for me. My body system tried that and I got ill. So instead, my Ahimsa practice is staying away from violence in my life - such as movies with guns, blood, vulgar swears etc. Even my thoughts and words. Yes, I am human. I get angry, but I choose to speak and think carefully on how I express my words. I found that when I express kindness on my words, it bounces right back to me. I do get angry and sometimes yell (you can ask my husband & teenagers) but I have learned that it doesn't help me, it actually causes me grief, fatigue and more. It also makes my family upset at me, which then hurts my heart. Communicating with nonviolence words is so much more rewarding to me. Here's another way I practice Ahimsa:

Road rage? If someone cuts me off and I am still unharmed with my health, I am not going to yell at them. Instead, I let them go. I'm happy to be safe. Even sometimes a school bus will slow down my ride to a destination. Some people can be very upset at this. Not me.... this is a time for me to stop and look around at the scenery. I love to "take all of the goodness" of my life and appreciate everything around me. The holiday season should be a time for joy ~ so aim for thoughts, words and actions that contribute to that outlook ~ joy!

Santosha, or contentment, is being happy with what you have. Instead of complaining about all the cooking that you have to do, be thankful that you have the resources to prepare the meal. Show gratitude that you have family or friends at your table.

For me, I am thankful that I have a working stove and electricity and I am grateful that I will be with my family.

Am I happy and content with what I have? Yes, but I have a tendency to want more. Often, I like to have more music to listen to or books to learn more. I also have this strange habit of having to go into the nail polish area in a store and want more colors. I don't even use much nail polish myself, but I do love to give others foot and hand massages and making their feet and hands happy - it makes them happy and puts me in "meditation mode" of just being in the moment. Do I have enough colors? Yes. Do I want more? Yes. But I have to try to resist and enjoy the colors that I have. Last month on my trip to the grocery store, I thought I purchased a "new color" and got home and found that I didn't have it in my bag. I checked my receipt and it wasn't there. Whoa!! Who took that nail polish away? It could have dropped out of the bottom of the shopping cart. But, regardless, I didn't get the nail polish that I wanted and I was content.

Satya means truthfulness. When we are around family and friends, it can be easy to compare ourselves and feel competitive.

For anyone who knows me, I am not a good cook and the people coming cook much better than me. I don't think anyone will complain - I'm so grateful that my family is not like that. But some families may start arguments. If this occurs during your Thanksgiving celebration, be honest with yourself and with others. However - a very important portion of this (Satya) is to to be honest but not hurtful with your honesty.

Aparigraha means non-possessiveness. It also means taking more than necessary. Do you really need that second or a third piece of apple pie? Here's how this relates to me. "Oh my, the brownie cream filled cake with the cute little turkey head is going to be hard to resist...especially with cool whip!!! How am I going to do this? Just one piece?"

Instead, I will eat one piece, share the left overs with others in my family and let them take it home for them or to give it to a friend.

If you can remember what Thanksgiving is all about — to feel gratitude and contentment while spending time with family and friends, or even if you’re alone — you’ve come a long way.

In the Yoga Sutras, Pantajali wrote that the key to a preserving practice is to practice for a long time, without break and with enthusiasm. If you’re able to remember these tips, not only on Thanksgiving, but every day, you are on your way to peace and bliss.

Happy Thanksgiving!

With thanks and gratitude,

Mimi

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