nature vs. stress

I feel like I blog a lot about stress. I guess I just can't stress the importance enough! (Pun totally intended) It's part of every day life for everyone. Your body sends stress signals when you are hungry, when you stub your big toe or when you are in rush-hour traffic. For many people though, stress is an unconscious constant state because our minds are careening out of control. Though most animals and primates automatically shut off their stress signals when they're not in immediate danger, the gift of our developed mind has also plagued us the chronic subconscious habit of worrying, anticipating and perseverating. How we deal with stress really does 'make-or-break' us and effect our overall health, so we can't keep ignoring it.

I was recently reading some of the diaries of good ol' Anne Frank. It's really amazing to think about such an intelligent young woman reflecting on her life, the people around her and basic human nature, all while grappling with world-altering events. Some of her thoughts and beliefs are downright profound, especially for a 14-year-old. Coping mechanisms are different for everyone, but I loved that one of her favorite ways to de-stress was to spend time in nature.

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

You can find more of Anne's best quotes here.  

Sometimes, reading simple advice like this really helps me put my stress in perspective, so that's why I'm sharing it. If Anne Frank can cultivate peace through the beauty of nature, then certainly I should be able to as well. Have you tried seeking out a quiet spot in nature to clear your head? It doesn't have to be a completely private and silent spot to have an effect, but you can observe any small microcosm. Whether it's sitting inside, looking at your backyard, heading to a park to sit in the woods or practicing yoga outside, natural beauty has a way of showing us it's intricate perfection and making us and our troubles feel smaller by comparison. And spring is a perfect time to try it! :)

Intricate perfection and balance!

you have an ego problem

Advanced yoga posture photos can be inspiring, intimidating or even infuriating!

QUICK: what are the very first thoughts that enter your head when you see yoga photos like this? Do you think: "wow, I wish I could do that" or maybe, "what a show-off." Perhaps you judge her alignment, her body, her tattoos, or compare yourself to her in some way. Even though you know it shouldn't matter, perhaps you wonder if you could ever squish yourself into that pose...or if you could do it "better" than her. Having something to aspire to is great, but where do you draw the line between inspiration and envy? Or, if you're on the other end of these photos, how do you find balance between inspiring others or just showboating your strength and flexibility?

We all deal with it. Regardless of how you label it or how much you're aware of it, we all have an ego problem lurking in our lives, our relationships and...our yoga practice.

"In our Western culture, the word ‘ego’ refers to certain characteristics that often make someone intolerable in the eyes of others, things like arrogance, selfishness and an inflated sense of self-importance. Based on that view, most people would probably say that they don’t have an ego. But the very fact that they would say “I don’t have an ego”...indicates that they do!" - Yoga Magazine

Sorry, but it's true. Though the contortionist-like show-offs might be the most obvious candidates for an ego-check, students that lack appropriate self-esteem tend to be the ones who are actually fighting the hardest battle with ego because they don't think it's there. (Read that again) Pushing too hard during practice, comparing yourself to others or continuing an internal dialogue of self-loathing are all very damaging ego-related habits that need to be eliminated.


Think of it this way: as with anything, the more we practice something, the better at it we become. Our mind automatically responds to mental stimulus in a certain way and in turn, our bodies and nervous system react. So if during your practice, you are "practicing" a wandering mind, an over-confident attitude, feelings of frustration, trying to make your poses look a certain way or putting yourself down, then your yoga journey is coming along strong...heading in the wrong direction.

So how can we really rid ourselves of ego? Awareness is the first step. Acknowledge this inherent battle. Whether your self-worth is over-active or under-active, you need to practice mindfulness in order to find a balance. 

1.) Ask yourself: Is your yoga practice an obsession or a bragging point? How do you really approach your yoga practice - do you push your way through? Do you flow by allowing your body to be as it is or are you trying to reach a certain goal? Do you feel the need to please the teacher, post photos on Facebook or compete with those around you? Many of these issues might be deeply imbedded in our subconscious mind; once you begin to notice where you're struggling with ego, you can then work to change your thought patterns.

2.) Meditate. I can't stress the benefits of meditation enough (pun totally intended). Besides the obvious necessity for us all to slow down and lower stress levels, mindfulness meditation is hands-down one of the best ways to encounter your true self. Though it may sound cheesy if you've never tried it, you'd be amazed what a regular meditation practice can do for your ego, spirit, contentment and overall mental state. When you become aware of negative habits in your mind, you are then able to analyze them and head it off next time it surfaces.

 3.) Be patient. A two-fold goal, you won't get anywhere on any journey without patience. Know that transcending your own insecurities, preconceptions or frustrations associated with your ego isn't going to happen overnight. Months and years of consistent, focused meditation is a good start.

Even if you don't know where to start, just try to notice your habits of judgement. Don't neglect the importance of this process. Ego will get in the way of everything around you before you even know it, but once controlled, will allow a whole new quality and depth to your life and those around you. Namaste!

"Go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It's very important to be aware of them every time they come up." - Deepak Chopra