World Wellbeing Week starts on the 21st June, promoting awareness of the wide ranging aspects of wellbeing. In addition the 21st of June is celebrated as the International Day of Yoga following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. The aim is to raise awareness of the many benefits of practicing yoga and to honour its Indian origins. This year’s theme is “Yoga for Wellbeing”. At its essence Yoga is a spiritual practice, but it has so many other added benefits, including creating a sense of wellbeing.
We hear the term "wellbeing" used a lot. The Oxford English Dictionary defines wellbeing as “a state of being comfortable, healthy and happy”, but what does this really mean and how can Yoga help create wellbeing?
Wellbeing is multidimensional and will mean different things for each of us, but generally there are six elements that help create a sense of wellbeing; Physical, Emotional, Social, Spiritual, Intellectual and Economic and Yoga can support most of these.
Physically, we move the body and whilst there are many types of physical Yoga practice, from strong power yoga to restorative yoga where we settle into stillness, they all have benefits. Whether that be building strength, flexibility and balance or calming the nervous system allowing the body to relax and heal, there is a style for everybody. Yoga also helps us develop a more loving appreciation of our physical self, encouraging use to take care of our body.
Through moving the body, breath awareness and meditation Yoga encourages us to bring our awareness to how we feel both physically and emotionally. When we start to recognise and understand our emotions, we are able to respond more mindfully to life's challenges, rather than reacting without thought. More importantly we develop compassion towards how we think and feel about ourselves, which influences all of our decisions and the actions we choose to take or not take. Also, when we have an understanding of our emotions we are more able to express compassion and empathy towards others.
Coming together for our weekly classes we build our social networks and community knowing that we are joined through the practice of Yoga. But more than this Yoga philosophy teaches us to take our yoga off the mat. The Patanjali Yoga Sutras written some 2000 years ago introduce us to the Yama and Niyama's. Often referred to as the "right ways of living", the Yamas guide us towards practices concerned with the world around us, our society and the Niyama's, the practices concerned with ourselves. Examples of Yama's include Ahimsa meaning non-violence, compassion, Satya or truthfulness and integrity and Asteya, non-stealing.
At it’s heart Yoga is a spiritual practice, a means to understand ourselves and our world within, as well as the world around us. Yoga enables us to experience being connected to our inner Self, to nature or even a greater power providing a meaning and purpose to life.
Practicing Yoga, particularly meditation can help improve cognitive skills such as memory and concentration. Furthermore there is a wealth of Yogic Philosophy to delve into, read and contemplate all helping to stimulate intellectual wellbeing.
I’ve learnt that looking after my own wellbeing takes awareness, self-compassion and action. When things are going well it can be easy to neglect those little practices that keep us balanced, healthy and bring us joy, but it's so important to recognise that it is those practices that help keep us feeling "well".
As you’d expect Yoga is a key to my own wellbeing. Over the last year or so I’ve been drawn more and more to a slower practice combing elements of Hatha, Yin and Restorative Yoga, Pranayama (breathwork) and Meditation. Slowing down helps to re-energise and balance me, physically, emotionally and mentally and gives me time to tune into how I’m feeling, find my Self and to connect to something bigger. This is what inspired my philosophy Slow Down, Breathe, Turn Within and Return to Self.
Slow Down * Breathe * Turn Within * Return to Self
I’ve also recognised that a consistent, shorter practice (even if it’s just 10 minutes a day) is more beneficial to me than a longer practice once a week. Teaching and sharing Yoga also brings me great joy by serving others and building community.
Spending time in nature is also important to me. It helps to clear my head and bring about a sense of calm. It also gives me a feeling of contentment, gratitude and appreciation for our natural environment and once again gives me a sense of being part of something bigger than myself.
Spending quality time with my hubby and our fur baby, Finn is absolutely essential. As well as time with family and friends, filled with meaningful conversations, laughter, delicious food and the the odd G&T. The last 15 months has shown how important it is to nourish and cherish these social connections.
Journaling is something I’ve started more recently, I’ve tried it on the past, but it never really resonated. I’ve tried various types of journals, but most felt action based and it was something else on the "to do" list. I’ve now found a journal that focuses on how I feel, my energy, the things that bring me joy and what I can learn from the things that didn’t go so well. I finish with a gratitude list, ending the day on a positive note and it only takes me 10 minutes. Building this emotional resilience is an essential part of my wellbeing.
I'm curious and I love to learn. I'm a bit of a book worm and love to read, feeding my intellectual wellbeing, but I do have to be careful not to become too overwhelmed by all the new knowledge and expect myself to remember it all!
But, the most important thing for my wellbeing is expressing kindness and compassion towards myself. To treat myself with the love and respect I would give a loved one or a friend, and finally awareness, an awareness of Self taking me back to my Yoga.
What do you do to look after your own wellbeing and how has Yoga helped you?
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