MANIFEST YOUR MANTRA

It seems lately, every magazine cover has a blurb about “living your best life” or “how to discover true happiness.” Actually, this has been popular for a while but it seems I’m just getting around to giving more attention to it. I am totally down with this new focused and ohm’ like lifestyle trend and have claimed a front row seat on the wholesome happy train!
Recently, I’ve been trying to put aside quality time to focus on “me” and search for a little more peace and serenity in my life, it’s going to be quite the journey I’m sure. My first few baby steps have been to go to yoga class once a week and to take a couple hours a week to read something I enjoy that’s not a cook book, editing a draft chapter of my book or work related reading. It’s been really great so far. I’m beginning to feel more organic and free spirited already. I also began subscribing to a yoga e-newsletter- “Practical Yoga for Everyday People.” Some of it’s a little too advanced with far too much complex breathing for me but for the most part it has some really excellent tips and lessons. Last week there was an article on creating a healthy and happy mind and I thought I’d share it in our blog. It’s a good practice for anyone looking to create a healthier and more positive self but I thought it might be especially helpful for survivors throughout their healing process. Check it out, try it out and let me know what you think!
Working my way to a centered mind, body and spirit,
Kelly

FROM PRACTICAL YOGA FOR EVERYDAY PEOPLE
Create a Healthy and Happy Mind
Are you looking for a way to break old, unhealthy mental patterns so that you can create a happier, healthier life? Well, today is "Manifest Your Mantra Day", and the Spirit Trainers are here to help! Get yourself out of a slump or a self-defeating negative mindset by creating your own personal, affirmative mantra. Mantra literally means "mind wave", and is any word or phrase repeated often. Mantras can positively affect your thought patterns and beliefs. We suggest the following steps to help you manifest your own personal, positive mantra and let go of old, negative patterns.
Make a list of 11 qualities /attributes of your personality that you regard as negative or harmful and which you believe hold you back from reaching your potential. These should be qualities that you would like to 'leave behind you' and release. Perhaps you have a false statement about yourself that your mind chronically repeats (eg. 'I'm so lazy') or maybe you just want to move from shy to outgoing. Whatever your choices, think of it as an opportunity to change negative thought patterns and beliefs into more positive and appealing ones that will affirm and empower you. Once you've created your list of 11, you'll then write adjectives that describe the exact opposite of those qualities. For example, if you listed 'grumpy' as a trait to release, you might write 'cheerful' as a positive alternative. When you're done with your list, we'll combine all the positive qualities in one big affirming statement about yourself. Remember, this is YOUR secret and personal mantra. Keep it to yourself, and use it to redirect your mind whenever your thoughts veer in a direction that doesn't support you in your highest vision.

5 Steps
1. On a blank piece of paper, draw a line down the center of it. On the left top column, write 'Old Mental Belief' and on the right top column, write 'New Mental Belief'.
2. Under Old Mental Beliefs, write the (up to) 11 attributes you would like to release.
3. Under New Mental Beliefs, list the exact opposite/positive of this quality or attribute. (eg. Grumpy/cheerful, lazy/energetic, shy/outgoing, fearful/courageous, etc)
4. Once you have a list of anywhere from 5 to 11 positive adjectives, pick three to five of these positive affirmations and make one positive affirming statement. An example might be: 'I, Jane Smith, am a cheerful, energetic, outgoing person'.
5. Write your statement in one sentence, and then commit it to memory so you can repeat it with ease throughout your day. Repeat this phrase (with conviction!) each morning upon rising from bed, and each evening before falling asleep. Say this phrase with conviction - believe what you are saying.