My Number 1 mantra for my yoga practice and how it has allowed me to release negativity

You know, all those successful people smashing their goals, taking new steps, eliminating toxic relationships and overall just really happy people. You may be thinking, “How the frick are they SO happy all the time.” Well, first of all, nobody is happy ALL of the time. We all have highs and lows, some more than others. And some people choose only to show one side of themselves; after all, that has been the social standard for a long time. To “show the happy.” But a word that you will often hear used by these people is “manifestation.”

It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I started practicing yoga and truly committing myself mentally to it. Yoga can be a profoundly spiritual and very personal experience. It is not a “one size fits all” kinda gig. But, we’re all in this together, and I wanted to share my favourite mantra that I use in my yoga practice that resonates with me. In the hopes that maybe it works for you too?

I have found that this particular mantra allows me to focus and aligns with who I am. See, I have a terrible habit of talking negatively about myself and expecting the worst. I start to get anxious, my mind snowballs, and I work myself into a state of anxiety. Raise your hand if you can relate.

Remember that word manifestation? That is what I do. I have two words that I repeat to myself. On my inhale, I say “YES,” and I visualize breathing in all the good that surrounds me. Breathing in images of my healthy, happy family, breathing in me celebrating a big win at work, breathing in the next big trip I plan to take. I say yes to all of these things and allow them to enter my body, mind and soul.

On my exhale, I say, “NO.” And breathe out the things that have been holding me back; that rude person at the supermarket, the hurtful words of others, a mistake I made at work. Holding on to all of those negative thoughts is not manifesting positivity. It is allowing me to stay in a negative headspace. Sometimes when I am particularly anxious, I am SHOUTING “NO” to myself in my head, and I continue until the negativity within me has been released.

It is your right to say yes to whatever you want in life. Say yes to happiness.