Sometimes, we just want to turn our brain off

Dear Community,

Are these familiar scenarios for you?

The week has been tough becauusee…..

• work responsibilities / family responsibilities

• an argument with a family member

• a work email announcing potential layoffs in the name of “restructuring”

• fighting traffic after to rush to a class that you swore you’d be regular to

• your teenager has a made a new friend you’re not a fan of

• you just received an unsettling text message from your new partner that says “can we talk…”…

And then, you’re at our studio - you’re grabbing your yoga mat and a block, with all these thoughts swimming and you walk in trying to shake all that stress off and give yourself just one hour to decompress. You question whether this will even work, or will you still be a ball of stress when you walk out?! “Is this yoga thing even working??? Will anything work??”

We see you. We hear you. And that’s why we are here!

In Patanjali’s yoga sutra’s - the 2nd sutra is : Yogas citta vritti nirodaha - which translates to - yoga is the calming/stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.

It is not a complete turning OFF of the mind, but with the help of asanas, pranayama, pratyahara (going inward), and much more - we are able to begin the process of calming the mind.

Yoga isn’t an immediate fix. However, it has all the tools to help us deal with all that life throws at us - in a way that is calm, compassionate, balanced, and in tune with who we are underneath all the labels we have on ourselves.

And we also want you to know that, it is completely normal to walk in to a yoga class with your mind on fire and body tense. We’re in a world that demands much of us and it is nearly impossible to switch that off completely when you start a yoga class. Your brain may not rest even during class and that is OK and completely NORMAL.

The fact that you’re showing up even when you aren’t feeling the best - shows your commitment. It shows the desire you have to work on yourself, your body, your mind. And you will reap yoga’s benefits. It may just take some time, but the lessons and teachings of yoga will slowly permeate your way of thinking, being and breathing.

So here is our encouraging note to you: You are doing great by showing up. You are doing great by trying to show up. You are doing great even if you’re stressed walking in and stressed walking out and if your mind hasn’t gone fully clear yet. It is all a process and yoga is meant to be a lifelong practice. 

We love being part of your yoga journey. Looking forward to seeing you on the mat.

Sincerely,
Triangle Shala

As always, we are grateful to be a part of your inbox.

With gratitude,The Triangle Shala Team

Until next time :)