Highs and lows

I posted this photo a while ago on social media, as a reminder for anyone having a crappy day to just stop, place the palms on the chest and belly, and breathe. 

This won’t necessarily eliminate the sadness or whatever we’re going through, but it can be a short, but very powerful, reset. It makes us pause and come to full awareness of the present moment, which can then help us see the situation in a new light, or simply just acknowledge the emotions.

I titled the post ‘antidote to a crappy day’, as my day was a bit ‘meh’ on that day too. But I was thinking today, this simple mindful action can also act as antidote to a happy day too. ‘What?!’ I hear you say, surely I don’t want or need an antidote to happiness! And you’re right, but to clarify, I more specifically mean that yoga, particularly breath and mindfulness, can help us ‘even out’ the highs and lows of both over-excitedness and crushing depression. Again, being excited sounds great doesn’t it? And it is. But has anyone else felt the sinking low afterwards? I have.

By levelling out our emotions, I absolutely don’t mean eliminating them, whether positive or negative, or numbing ourselves to any feeling! But regular practice of returning to stillness, breath and pure awareness will actually bring about a more constant, lasting, arguably ‘happier’ state. Call it peace, calm, contentment if you prefer. 

Enjoy the highs, accept the lows, but remember that they are both extremes, and if you want it, there’s another constant, more steady third option deep within.