YES, you heard correctly! At times, I don’t want to practice! I don’t want to get quiet. I want all the noise. I want to keep pushing through work because it’s paying off. I want to keep thinking and striving because I see the light at the end of the tunnel. So why take a break now? Besides, I'm fine…….

This mindset is usually followed by nights and weekends of watching tv or reading incessantly. I tend to bask in the company of others and get involved in any and all activities that are presented to me. And this pattern of behavior isn’t just now showing up in my adult life; I can trace the same looping cycle back to my college years and beyond.

Accomplishment has long been the measure of my self worth, and at times it is still a challenge for me. And yes, that mindset allowed me to be very successful in several areas in my life, however, it also took a toll on my inner self. I embodied work now, play later. So in addition to completing college papers and assignments, I engaged in my excessive church activities and proudly worked 3 part time jobs. There were no boundaries on my time and definitely no time to practice presence. Then for 1- 2 days I would stop showing up, stop producing and instead indulge in inactivity. And of course I had excuses because I couldn't just not show up without a REAL reason. The word NO wasn’t in my vocabulary then, not for others nor for myself…

In what ways are you out of balance as an adult? How far back can you trace your pattern of behavior? How can you break this pattern?

First let’s inquire about your perspective on balance. Do you envision a scale displaying the weight of 2 objects evenly? Do you see a person who is able to compartmentalize, giving each activity its place? Either of these can help you organize your life, however, they don’t allow you to live from a place of wholeness. Let’s, for a moment, interchange the word balance for harmony. Harmony exists when all the moving parts are in one accord; when notes played simultaneously have a pleasing sound, or when an agreement is created and upheld. In other words, all parts come together to create a whole, instead of separating the parts to make them manageable.

According to yoga philosophy, every animate and inanimate object in the material world is characterized by 3 gunas or states of being: rajas meaning activity; tamas meaning inertia/ inactivity; and sattva meaning harmony. Practicing mindfulness and yoga helps you to be aware of your state of being in any given moment, and helps you guide yourself back to a harmonic state or sattva.

Life can throw us so many curve balls which affect our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well being. Without a practice to develop your awareness, your response is reactionary and you are the victim of an unfair world. Maybe like me, high achievement transitions quickly to constant busyness and overachievement (rajasic). OR maybe a 1 hour nap transitions to being stuck in the bed or on the couch watching tv mindlessly for hours (tamasic).

So how do you return to harmony?

Notice! Practicing presence helps you to be aware of your patterns. When you don’t take time to check-in with yourself, then you are caught in mindless activity or inactivity without a means to escape. Instead you can check-in by journaling: Where are my thoughts in this moment? What emotions are surfacing because of my thoughts? How are these thoughts and feelings manifesting in me physically? And how are these thoughts and feelings affecting my connection to Spirit?
Add activities that are opposite of your current state of being. For example, if you’re running around making things happen, then maybe you take a nap, meditate or do some deep breathing exercises. If you’re sleeping or vegging out in front of the tv excessively, then maybe you exercise. And exercise doesn’t need to be strenuous; low impact may be enough to balance your energy level.
Show yourself some compassion as you bring yourself back into a harmonic state. Be careful not to shove yourself into the opposite activity, but intentionally meet yourself where you are.

**Disclaimer:** This information is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation.

Practicing Presence:

Alternate nostril breathing has many benefits including bringing our nervous system into balance. Click here to watch the video and practice with me.

Alternate Nostril Breathing Practice

In what ways are you out of balance as an adult? How far back can you trace your pattern of behavior? How can you break this pattern?

So how do you return to harmony?

Practicing Presence:

Alternate nostril breathing has many benefits including bringing our nervous system into balance. Click here to watch the video and practice with me.

Promoting Harmony with Yoga

Return to harmony by adding rajasic activity to your tamasic state of being, OR adding tamasic activity to your rajasic state of being.

Return To Harmony

In what ways are you out of balance as an adult? How far back can you trace your pattern of behavior? How can you break this pattern?

So how do you return to harmony?

Practicing Presence:

Alternate nostril breathing has many benefits including bringing our nervous system into balance. Click here to watch the video and practice with me.

Promoting Harmony with Yoga

Return to harmony by adding rajasic activity to your tamasic state of being, OR adding tamasic activity to your rajasic state of being.