By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga practice reveals many hidden truths and the ability to train one’s mind for balanced thinking about self-image. For example: Who is your worst critic? If you are like most of us, you can find that critic just by looking at yourself.

We often hold ourselves back with an internal chatter of self-criticism. Many of us question ourselves over every decision, we insult ourselves internally, and we lose sight of true happiness. As long as we are here, we should do our best to be happy on this journey we call “life.”

How can Yoga change the life of a self-critic? Yoga offers each of us a time-tested process for self-analysis. Here is a step-by-step process for any one of us to purge our personal “demons” and return to rational thinking.

1. Do something physical by practicing Yoga asanas (postures) or go for a walk. You have many choices such as: Basketball, tennis, golf, volleyball, or anything that will get you away from the desk, out of a chair, and off the couch. Continue to enjoy your activity and put your worries aside.

2. Get a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle length ways. On top of the left hand column put a minus symbol (-). On top of the right hand column put a plus symbol (+). On the left side of your sheet, you can indulge in writing all of your flaws.

On the right hand side, write everything positive about your life. This should include all of your achievements. This includes good relationships with friends, family, and associates. The right side should also indicate your intelligence, activities, and accomplishments.

After all, you know how to read, write, and learn. In order to perform this exercise, you already must have a reasonable level of intelligence and the desire to improve yourself. Do not forget to include hidden talents, your job, school, and the fact that you have a roof over your head. Feel free to use the back side of your sheet, too.

3. Have you noticed that the right side of your sheet has much more information, than the left? Again, compare the two sides. Notice that each flaw on the left side can be changed one step at a time and it’s all “small stuff.” Nothing is impossible, and I have yet to meet a person who cannot change in small steps.

Let’s be honest, we all make mistakes. Who cares? Is somebody keeping score? God knew we would make mistakes since the moment we were born. Pick up the pieces. Change what you can, and work on the rest as you go forward.

Have you ever met someone who you thought was perfect? How long did it take for you to realize that he or she is only human? What can we learn from this? We should not judge anyone, not even ourselves, because it is an exercise in futility.

We should do our personal best at showing kindness, being happy, forgiving, and praising our loved ones. Yoga gives you all the tools to improve your life; just keep practicing.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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