Yoga is harnessing and directing the flow of thoughts, guiding the mind, so that we can achieve joy and lightness in our being. 

There are three main principles of Hatha yoga (physical yoga) that distinguish it from other types of yoga and other types of exercise. When we apply these three principles on the mat, we walk away with a sense of calmness, clarity, and confidence (the three "C's") after our practice.

Three Principles of Hatha Yoga:

 1. BODY: The pose or posture (asana) is to be steady and stable (sthira), yet relaxed and at ease (sukham). 

 2. BREATH: The breath (pranayama) is to be deep (dirgha) and smooth (sukshmah) in order to lengthen the life force.

 3. MIND: Focused gazed, a means to develop concentrated attention (drishti).

The three C's can also be achieved when we apply these principles to the rest of our life:

1. BODY: How do you carry yourself through the day? How is your posture, your carriage?  Do you slump and slouch? Are your back and ab muscles weak? Is your body properly supported throughout the day?

2. BREATH: How is your breath? Short, choppy, strained, shallow? Or long, slow, deep and full? The shorter the breath, the shorter the life. The longer the breath, the longer the life.

3. MIND: Where is your focus? To what are you paying attention? What values and beliefs, the movers and shakers behind the scenes, are running your life and affecting your perception.

Work toward applying these principles to each area of your life:

• Health and well-being of your body/mind
• Home and family life
• Work / job / career
• Community support (both giving and receiving) / social / friends
• Being a contribution
• Spirituality

Pick one area to work on, and see what results you achieve. Let's say you want to work on reducing stress at your workplace.

 1. BODY: Check in with how you sit, stand and work while you're at work. Are you slumping forward or backward? Is your spine supported? Do you feel strain in your shoulders and upper back? Are your gluteus muscles and hamstrings tight from sitting for hours on end? If so, move. Get up and stretch throughout the day. Experiment with finding a chair or work station that supports you to reduce strain. Try a cushion behind your lower back for instance.

2. BREATH: Check in with your breath. Are you holding your breath (a common occurrence)? Are your breaths low in the belly or high in the chest? Take a few deep, cleansing yoga breaths to oxygenate the system.

3. MIND: "Eyes on the prize." What are your priorities for the day? What project can you devote 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour of uninterrupted time toward completing? When things pop up to steal your attention, do your best to keep your focus on what's most important at that time.

Jot down the results or journal about it as if it were a scientific experiment (it is). Notice any increase in your experience of joy, body, mind and spirit at work. Then pick another area of your life where you would like to experience more joy and apply these three principles from Hatha yoga to find harmony in your life.

I'd love to hear about the results of your experiment! Feel free to write with what you discovered.

Namaste,

Debbie