One—it takes one therapist to change a lightbulb. But
it really has to want to change.
In these trying times, when we’re all trying to
control anxiety and depression about the state of the world, learning to change
how you react is a process. My yoga practice helps keep me grounded in how to
learn, something we adults often lose sight of.
When you embark on a yoga practice like Ashtanga, you
must have an intention to master the poses, breath and flow.
Fully committing to the practice is essential for
progress. It’s not that it has to be done daily. It’s more that you practice on
some type of regular basis with the goal of being all in.
Experimentation is required. Does it work better this
way, or that way?
It’s not about comparing yourself to others. It’s
about comparing yourself to yourself. Wow! I couldn’t do this when I started.
You don’t want to phone it in. Even if it’s a crappy
day and you can’t do half of what you did just two days ago. You want to be
present and mindful.
These principles of learning (intention to achieve mastery,
commitment to regular practice, willingness to experiment, being fully present
and mindful) relate to a lot of things in life. I think they relate directly to
the process of change.
If you want to change your reactions to
anxiety-provoking or depressing situations, you must follow these principles as
you would to learn anything. And, of course, you really have to want to change.
