Healthy Living
A yoga instructor's guide to cultivating inner peace
04 November 2019 - by Zoja Popovic
For some of us, reaching inner peace is comparable to climbing Mount Everest: a lofty goal reserved for a select few brave souls. But according to one of our resident yoga experts, it doesn't have to be! Jennifer Hogan, a yoga instructor at the Brampton YMCA, says peace is already in all of us, we just need to tap into it. Here are the top four ways she says you should get started.
I believe anyone can attain inner peace, but it’s not a one-off goal. You can’t accomplish it and then check it off the list. It's an ongoing practice that we're continuously working towards. Yoga, meditation, and mindful movement can help you find and maintain yours.
1. Finding balance
Yoga is all about balance. In class, you’ll find plenty of movements that balance out your body: forward and backward postures, seated and standing postures, expanding and contracting your lungs, and more. In much the same way, yoga helps bring balance to our minds. Bringing your focus inward and finding physical equilibrium helps our mind starts to search for a similar ebb and flow. Consistent yoga practice can make that peaceful feeling last, even when you’re off the mat and in the real world.
2. Acceptance and awareness
Yoga can be very humbling. One philosophy behind this ancient practice is that you should begin where you are. You become aware of your limitations and agree to work within your capabilities. Honest acceptance of where you are today helps wash away those nagging feelings of guilt or inadequacy. How peaceful does that sound?
3. Compassion and empathy
All of that acceptance is part of self-love. As you become kinder to yourself, you’ll find it easier to turn that kindness outward and empathise with others. You'll start to recognise that everyone has their struggles, just like you. This ability to see yourself in others helps you interact more peacefully with them. It doesn't mean you’ll never honk your horn in traffic again, but maybe it will happen less often and without the accompanying anger and stress.
4. Becoming present
When you practice yoga, you learn how to slow down and experience life in the present. Most worries are based on memories of the past, or thoughts of the future. If you can bring yourself back to the present, you can get rid of these “what if?” ideas that weigh you down. Life isn't going to be perfect, but living in the present is much more peaceful than ruminating on the past or obsessing about the future.
Honour YMCA Peace Week by finding some time to cultivate inner peace in your life. Check out some of the peacebuilding yoga classes led by Jennifer and her colleagues at YMCAs across the GTA and start flexing your inner peace muscles today!
I believe anyone can attain inner peace, but it’s not a one-off goal. You can’t accomplish it and then check it off the list. It's an ongoing practice that we're continuously working towards. Yoga, meditation, and mindful movement can help you find and maintain yours.
1. Finding balance
Yoga is all about balance. In class, you’ll find plenty of movements that balance out your body: forward and backward postures, seated and standing postures, expanding and contracting your lungs, and more. In much the same way, yoga helps bring balance to our minds. Bringing your focus inward and finding physical equilibrium helps our mind starts to search for a similar ebb and flow. Consistent yoga practice can make that peaceful feeling last, even when you’re off the mat and in the real world.
2. Acceptance and awareness
Yoga can be very humbling. One philosophy behind this ancient practice is that you should begin where you are. You become aware of your limitations and agree to work within your capabilities. Honest acceptance of where you are today helps wash away those nagging feelings of guilt or inadequacy. How peaceful does that sound?
3. Compassion and empathy
All of that acceptance is part of self-love. As you become kinder to yourself, you’ll find it easier to turn that kindness outward and empathise with others. You'll start to recognise that everyone has their struggles, just like you. This ability to see yourself in others helps you interact more peacefully with them. It doesn't mean you’ll never honk your horn in traffic again, but maybe it will happen less often and without the accompanying anger and stress.
4. Becoming present
When you practice yoga, you learn how to slow down and experience life in the present. Most worries are based on memories of the past, or thoughts of the future. If you can bring yourself back to the present, you can get rid of these “what if?” ideas that weigh you down. Life isn't going to be perfect, but living in the present is much more peaceful than ruminating on the past or obsessing about the future.
Honour YMCA Peace Week by finding some time to cultivate inner peace in your life. Check out some of the peacebuilding yoga classes led by Jennifer and her colleagues at YMCAs across the GTA and start flexing your inner peace muscles today!
