Yoga for a Quick Internal Reset
The practice of yoga can be an internal realignment whenever we feel we are in a cluttered mental state and in an emotional mess. Yoga as an internal reset does not just mean the physical poses, or an hour long yoga class. Sometimes it just being in the present moment, feeling your breath, and being aware of your current mental clutter.
There are times when we feel we are in mental turmoil; times when we feel that there are lots of things in our minds and we do not know exactly what to do with them. Even dreams, goals and aspirations can feel very daunting when they are entangled in us mentally without any organization or clarity.
From mental chaos, it is inevitable to feel like we are an emotional mess. Do you ever feel like everyone is just offending you? You ever feel like everything just frustrates you? Do you ever feel like you need a moment to yourself and have some internal reset?
This happens to all of us. It happens to me. And truth be told, this is just how life is. This is because we are humans with the capacity to feel and experience an external world. Other people, situations, obstacles, or the things people say. In short: our everyday lives. There is an externality in our everyday that can throw us off course. And it can happen again and again. A cycle. And worse, it can be our normal way of living.
Imagine if we go through life without the regular internal reset? I like to think that this is similar to a basketball game. Imagine if there are no “ time outs”. Instead, the players play in the court the entire game, without the chance to re-assess their strategies, their mistakes, and to get in touch with their coaches?
Reset and Realign
The good news for us is that, out time outs are unlimited. We are not restricted to a few, and there are no set rules of how we can make a reset. It is yours to take anytime, no matter how often.
So if you ever feel you are in a mental and emotional chaos, know that this is not permanent. And oftentimes, a swift decision to check in with ourselves can make all the difference. Take a moment to do something that realigns you. For me, these are classic signs that I am falling behind on my own yoga practice.
And yoga is not just the physical practice of being in yoga poses. It is not an hour long yoga class exclusively. It is also the awareness that you do not feel your best self. That is the first thing. Being aware changes everything. Rather than going through life and being convinced that to suffer is permanent, cultivating an awareness of your mental clutter can lead you to the first step of realignment.
If you are not ready for a mini flow like the one above, here is a quick deep breathing exercise to center and ground you in the present moment.
An Invitation: A Mini Internal Reset
- If it is possible where you are right now, adjust your body so that your spine is nice and long.
- Take a deep breath, and as you exhale, feel you shoulders lower and relax. And again, deep breath in, and a long exhale out. Shoulders relax.
- Keep breathing deeply and this time, soften your face. Unclench your jaw. Smoothen your brows. Soften your gaze, or if it is safe for you, close your eyes.
Feel your presence. And just be in the present moment. Notice what this brief moment of presence inspires you to do.
