Today we are on the last part of our segment focusing on "saucha" or cleanliness, one of the 5 Niyamas, or internal duties of a yoga student. Today we will be focusing on the cleanliness of our space, and the cleanliness of our intentions - for each practice, and for our 30-day challenge.
Take a moment to notice your space. Yoga mats are nice, because they are portable space definers. You can roll it out anywhere, even in a crowded room, and that's your practice space. It's also nice to take a look at your room. Noticing if the floor is clean or picked up, if there are piles, laundry or unmade beds around you. Notice how your environment impacts your state of mind and your practice. Would you feel better cleaning or re-arranging? Are there any scents or smells you might like to add or remove, closing or opening of windows - or would you like to move somewhere else? Feel free to pause here, and take a couple moments to re-adjust.
In developing a regular self-practice, it is helpful to set aside a space for practice. This space begins to build the energy and association with yoga practice, making it a little easier each time to practice. Yoga schools or studios can be helpful, because they are spaces dedicated to yoga practice - there are no other distractions and nothing else to do - but practice yoga!
Next, notice what you are bringing into your practice space. What thoughts, intentions, emotion or energy are coming with you onto the mat? Know that there is no wrong way or right way to be, just noticing. Take a moment to reflect on your intention for this 30-day challenge. How would you like to feel differently? Maybe pause here and jot down in your phone or journal your intentions.
Each time you set up your space, take a moment to notice what you're bringing into your space - noticing your physical environment, your thoughts, energy and intentions. Take a moment to set a small intention for your practice, something to bring your attention to - a thread for each practice.
For today, let's set the intention to "take off the shoulds" before stepping onto our mats. Notice if you're bringing judgments onto the mat, such as "I should be able to touch my toes" - notice if you're tracking "shoulds" into your thoughts, and see if you can gently remove your "shoulds" during your practice.
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