So besides a yoga practice - where can we begin?  Let's starts with concentration this week.  What does that mean exactly?  It means we have an aim in life; a purpose or goal.  We wake up with intention and deliberation.  It means we are not swayed by what other people think or fear.  The voices on the inside become louder and clearer than the voices on the outside.  We choose what to think regardless. 

But how many times do we allow others to shift our focus of what we think is important?  How often do we honestly change course based upon other people's perceptions? 

Concentration is essential for a strong mind.  As a society we have lost our power to concentrate because of all the distractions in our peripheral vision.  We have technology advances that keep us "on top" of everything but also keep us from focusing on one thing at a time.  Not only that but we have so many choices that we can't possibly focus on one thing - we may be missing out on something better. 

Concentration breeds commitment.  When we stay focused we are committed ...isn't that interesting to think about.  Think about failed relationships, lost jobs, unfinished projects.....they lacked commitment but really they lacked concentration.  We became distracted.

Ask yourself how often have you lost your focus? Now be kind to yourself and lose the judgment - it's normal!  Do you want to make a change?  If you do, try this:

Wake up every morning and just sit for 10 rounds of deep breathing.  Sounds easy right?  Good - that way you will try it.  Sit up in your bed and just breathe.  Focus only on the breath traveling in and out of the nose.  Now notice how many thoughts come into the mind.  Let them go by allowing them to float by - just notice.  If you can practice this for one week - you will see a marked difference in your concentration and awareness in your life.  This five minutes every morning will offer you so much more time you will be amazed and ask yourself why you didn't start this a long time ago!