Peace of Mind

Top of Precipice Trail - Acadia National Park, ME

"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." ~Unknown

One of the many things yoga has taught me, is to tap into that part of me that is always at peace. Even if I am having the most hectic day, I can calm myself through my breath. There is both a physiological and psychological effect associated with deep breathing. Deep breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system ("rest and digest") and  takes us out of the sympathetic nevous system ("fight or flight") resulting in relaxation. Try it right now. Take your deepest breath in and a long breath out. Do this a few times and you will notice you are calmer, clearer, and more present.

Shanti is the sanskrit word for peace, but it is more accurately translated as inner peace (or peace of mind). It is a deep personal and internal experience that one can only tap into for them self. However, yoga and meditation helps guide one to access this place. Human beings often try to find peace externally, by taking a vacation or surrounding them self with serene nature. While this is a great temporary fix to the stresses of life, true eternal peace comes from within. By practicing tapping into your shanti on your yoga mat, you will be better equipped to find peace anytime and anywhere, even in the most frantic of situations when you need it the most.

Next time you feel worked up or life around you seems hectic, before reacting, try taking a few deep breaths to bring yourself back to that part of you that is always at peace, your shanti.