Anxiety is defined as a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.  Feelings of anxiety can lurk in the background, or they can seem to pop out of nowhere.  Either way, anxiety is unpleasant and its causes are not always easy to pinpoint. 

There are methods based on yoga and meditation that are helpful for managing anxiety.  Since our emotions are directly reflected in our breathing (think about how you breathe when you are angry or upset), we can directly impact how we feel through controlling our breath.  Thus, one method of controlling anxiety is to examine and control the breath. To do this, close your eyes, and focus your attention on your breath.  Notice its rhythm. Notice its texture.  Notice if it is deep or shallow.  Slowly, begin to intentionally deepen and lengthen your inhales and exhales, without forcing it.  The idea is to take deeper breaths, but not so deep that you feel light headed. Breathe this way for 1-2 minutes and notice how your feel as a result.  To learn more about this technique, a certified yoga instructor would be able to help.
Similar to our breath, the way we hold our bodies reflects our thoughts and feelings.  Anxiety causes the body to tense up. A second method that helps control anxiety is a regular relaxation practice. If you have ever gone to a yoga class, you may have experienced a guided relaxation at the end of class. Two relaxation techniques that can help with anxiety are tension/relaxation, where specific areas of the body are intentionally tensed and relaxed, and progressive relaxation, where muscular tension is intentionally relaxed sequentially from head to toe.  This may be done alone, with an instructor, or by listening to a recording.  Click here for a guided relaxation recording.

When we are anxious, our minds are focused on worrying about a future that does not exist. Thus, a third method that helps control anxiety is mantra meditation, where the mind is focused on a mantra, or sound.  This takes the mind away from the future and into the present moment. Here is an article on how to practice meditation https://yogainternational.com/article/view/how-to-meditate
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When practiced on a regular basis, the three methods described help to control anxiety, and reduce its impact on the body and mind.  For more information, please contact us.

​Have you ever wanted to make a change or accomplish something,  but gave up because it seems too overwhelming?  You may feel that is unique to you, however the truth is that most people go through this  from time to time, and sometimes quite regularly.  This often happens when we think of accomplishments in a black and white, or all or nothing way.

​We use a technique that we call the Ten Percent Rule. With this, instead of thinking of a change, accomplishment or goal as all or nothing, we help our clients think of improvement in ten percent segments. So rather than perceiving 100% improvement as the only option for success, they shift their definition of success to be a ten percent improvement. What follows is another ten percent, and another, so there is always continuous improvement.

​So, the next time you are feeling overwhelmed with completing a task or making a change, ask yourself "how can I make a ten percent improvement right now?", and notice what answers your mind comes up with. 

Your life is a sum of your experiences. The way your life feels is the result of the meaning you place on the events in your life, in other words, how you perceive your outer world.  Your mind is amazingly and endlessly powerful.  You can make major, positive changes in your life simply by exploring your inner world and making tweaks and adjustments.  What happens on the outside starts on the inside!