Yoga at the Armory: August 28!   

Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, 10 a.m.  Community Class     

Details below

...or, on second thought, don't

You have to be kind to yourself and you have to forgive your past and you

have to have a beautiful tomorrow. 

-- Yogi Bhajan 

This is International Encourage Yourself Week. Okay, no, it's not. I made that up. But maybe it should be (this little guy on the right could be the poster child).

Try this study for one week: pay attention to your own speech, including silent self-talk; every time you catch yourself saying something critical about yourself, stand up (or if you are already standing, sit down). Depending on how self-critical you are, this could be a wonderful exercise regimen. You may even increase your cardiovascular health or drop a dress size.

I once suggested a similar practice to a friend who called me later that same day and said she was completely exhausted, could she please stop. "Yep," I said. "You got the point." It's draining and ineffective to wear yourself out with harsh, negative commentary poorly disguised as constructive criticism. If shameful scolding was really a path to self-improvement, I do believe I would have skyrocketed to enlightenment and success after being sent to the corner in the second grade.

Using this self-study, you will soon quickly identify the most aggressive of these messages gnawing away at you. They often go something like, "I'm ugly/fat/stupid/crazy/worthless/lazy" or "If I worked harder I wouldn't be such a loser/deadbeat/disappointment/coward/failure." Those are just some examples but, sadly, there are many more.

What would you think if I told you these ferocious negative statements turn out to be your unintentional mantras? A mantra is not necessarily positive, it's simply a projection of the mind (man meaning mind, tra meaning projecting out).

Repetition of a mantra carves a path through your psyche and central nervous system to significant effect, so it may as well be something beneficial. But mantra is not merely a pep talk or affirmation. It goes one better by actually using the power of primal sounds (those basic sound elements that underlie all languages) to activate and connect many parts of the brain. Repetition of these sounds is a potent tool to elevate moods, enhance your range of feelings and command the cellular basis for your consciousness and state of mind, according to the Kundalini Research Institute. In other words, you don't have to understand or believe in a mantra for it to work because the power comes from the sound vibration stimulating the brain, not from the meaning stimulating the intellect.

If you'd like to experience these benefits, please join me for a yoga class. You can find information on upcoming classes at the bottom of the newsletter every week.

Mary

Classes for the Week of August 15        

North Hollywood 

  Sat 11 a.m.  Sat 3 p.m.

Sunday, August 28 

Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena    

10 a.m. Community Class 

All Levels

$15 suggested fee*

Armory Center for the Arts

Community Room 

145 N. Raymond Ave.

Pasadena CA 91103

 Parking & Directions 

*Why "suggest" a fee? Aren't you sure the class is worth $15?  

Well, in my humble opinion, it's certainly worth it. However, not everyone who wants or needs yoga is in a position to pay the full class fee. In those cases, a "suggested" fee or donation leaves room for students to pay what they can afford, if the standard $15 is not possible.  

Please bring your own mat and yoga blanket. None are provided.