Yoga if practiced mindfully, will be a tool for self-exploration, & growth. It will pave your way to mindful living.
Throughout my Yoga journey, I learned how to pause and think about the why behind my actions, and on so many occasions the “why” was related to following old patterns, or ideas planted in me since childhood.
My hamstring injury was a consistent reminder about competing, being the best, seeking society’s approval or acknowledgment, and behavioral patterns that I grew up on. I believe most of us were victims of this society’s conditions.
Children from a young age are trained to compete, collect the most stars, get the best grades in school, or win in sports or art competitions. Sometimes to the extent that we allow them to forget that the purpose of school is to gain knowledge, that they do sport, art, music. extra, to enjoy their time, be free & creative, they are here in this life to be happy, playful, and joyous, as they grow up they keep chasing success & society approval as a way of living, as most of us may do.
It took me time and recurring injury to stop falling back into the same old pattern. And that realization I had on my yoga mat was life-changing. Now, I can recognize when I lean into my old patterns and make a conscious decision to avoid that route.
I know that the journey is yet to continue, but I am also certain that it will be a great journey of seeking the truth, and I will enjoy every bit of it. As a mother, I will do my best to free my children from all kinds of expectations and the need for external approval. I will teach them to love what they do, to fully enjoy it, and to pursue knowledge for its own sake, rather than seeking recognition from others. I believe that growing and evolving is the best thing one can do for oneself and society, and I will encourage them to keep growing and, evolving to improve society instead of seeking its approval.
What about you? Do you have old patterns that you keep falling into?
How do you avoid falling into them?
