Before I was aware of the concept of mindfulness, I was at fault to being stuck in my own thoughts from time to time and not being fully present. Being a University student, we have several obligations to fulfill for not only our classes, but in our extra-curricular activities, our jobs, and making sure that we set time with our friends, family, and our partner. It can be hard to schedule everything in and even when we are doing one thing, we are constantly thinking of the next. As mindfulness points out, we have become ‘human doings’ as opposed to ‘human beings’. What this means is that rather than being fully present, our mind is off thinking about what else we ‘should’ be doing. A good example would be walking to class and thinking of all the things you have to accomplish rather than enjoying the campus life. If we allow ourselves to be fully in the present moment, we can live a more fulfilling life. There have been findings that report the mental benefits to practicing mindfulness along with doing yoga. From “The Mindfulness Revolution” book edited by Barry Boyce, it acknowledges that by practicing mindfulness we are more likely to respond to situations with more kindness and compassion. Those who practice mindfulness are less likely to be stressed, have better overall health, are more effective at work and maintaining their personal relationships. By acknowledging how our body reacts to a particular situation (whether it is positive or negative), we can avoid reacting impulsively and respond more effectively.
Written by Jacquelyn Mayo. Graphics by Kyleigh Castronaro.
I went home for the summer after my second year of University and was looking to get back into shape. My parents suggested that I take up yoga and, from wide spread popularity through the media, I decided that I would give it a try. Yoga is different from any other form of exercise and is a great way to get in shape for both men and women. But the focus of my article isn’t to address the physical benefits of yoga, but to look at its mental benefits. With that being said, I would like to see the Ministry of Education stress more on the importance of taking care of both your mind While in class, my yoga instructor would state “maintain your and body simultaneously in physical education classes. Providing mindfulness”. This was the first time I have ever heard this word teens the knowledge on how to practice mindfulness will improve and had no idea to what it meant. After going to a couple classes, I their emotional intelligence (EI) levels and therefore, shaping how bought a book on the subject matter. Ever since then, the concept of they take care of their mental health. As a result, there could be an mindfulness has changed the way I practice yoga and my daily routine. increase in grade levels and higher participation in extracurricular activities. Taking responsibility in maintaining your mental health Ever since we were in grade school, we have always been encouraged from an early age can lead to good working habits and higher selfto exercise in order to maintain both our physical and mental health esteem. Practicing mindfulness and yoga is a key to maintaining our and to therefore be productive students. Yoga follows these principles overall health and to being an effective individual through University exactly by focusing on the concept of mindfulness. Mindfulness and our career years. means to live with complete awareness of your thoughts, to be nonjudgemental, to be present, and to accept all situations without the desire to change it. This sounds pretty straight forward, but it isn’t as easy as it seems nor does it come more easily to some over others.
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PASSION8 MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2013
PASSION8 MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2013
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