Support mental health with mindfulness.

To be mindful is to be present.

When we think of mindfulness, many of us may think of sitting cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed, channeling utter peace and quiet. This may sound serene, but the truth is that mindfulness is a practice that can be incorporated into any part of the day, even on the move.

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present to what’s happening right now. It is way of being that helps us to clearly see our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Whether you’re washing the dishes or walking the dog, each moment provides an opportunity to be mindful. By paying attention to your breathing, to what you’re doing, and how you feel, you can keep your mind from wandering off, and ultimately transform any activity into a mindful one.

5 ways to find mindfulness through yoga

Focus on the present moment

Shift your focus from the external to the internal, from what happened before you arrived to class or where you need to be next, to what is happening in your mental, emotional, physical body in the present moment.

Practice non-judgement

Simply observe how you are feeling in present moment mentally, emotionally, and physically. Let go of judgements. The practice isn’t a contest, and when you show up on the mat ready to just be with your body, no matter how you feel or look moment-to-moment, you can begin to let go of insecurities and embrace yourself.

Let it go

Even when we are trying to be nonjudgmental, there may be moments during yoga when expectations and criticism creep in. These are the amazing learning moments where we get to practice letting go. Yoga teaches us to focus on how it is, not what we want things to be.

Connect

As a mindfulness practice, yoga gives us the opportunity to nurture ourselves so we can nurture others. By taking the time to practice yoga, we build self-awareness. This deeper connection with ourselves ultimately helps us to connect more authentically to our community, whether its our kids, our friends, our partners, our coworkers, or even a stranger on the street.

Find your peace

Our bodies and minds are connected. When you take the time for the physical practice of yoga, you’ll have the ability to be more flexible both physically and mentally. In other words, yoga helps us to ride out the storm, so you’ll be better able to experience mental calmness, composure, and an evenness of temper, especially in the face of adversity or conflict.

Explore

Learn more about mindfulness.

Article August 19, 2021

Transforming Schools with Mindfulness Programs

Research shows that practicing mindfulness can help reduce anxiety, ease depression, and foster resiliency in the face of stress. But what is mindfulness, and why are mindfulness program important for schools?

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Article May 19, 2022

The Benefits of Yoga & Mindfulness on Your Mental Health

While the physical benefits of yoga may bring many people to the mat, the benefits of yoga and mindfulness on mental health are typically what keeps people coming back.

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Article July 11, 2021

How to Start a Mindfulness Program at Your School

5 practical tips to get you started.

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We created this toolkit with the hopes that school counselors and social workers can utilize these tools as helpful resources to not only assist the youth in their care but also to embody and develop coping strategies for themselves.

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