How to have a happy heart and live a positive life for free
This term we have been learning about the secrets to living a happy, positive life.
One way is by showing kindness.
The best part is, kindness is free.
Today is World Kindness Day and I couldn’t think of a better way of being kind to yourself and others than with yoga.
A well known yoga philosophy is called the ‘8 limbs of yoga’ which helps provide a guide towards living a meaningful and purposeful life.
The first of the 8 limbs is called ‘yama’ which invites us to align our behaviour with the well known saying ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
When it comes to kindness, the first yama ‘ahimsa’ fits perfectly as it talks about ‘non-violence which translates to kindness and love.
This is why I love yoga so much. . .
At first, I thought yoga was just about being flexible and tricky postures, but it goes far beyond just a physical practice of postures or ‘asanas’ which is only the 3rd of the 8 limbs to yoga.
Yoga provides so many beautiful lessons that we can weave into our lives that have effects far greater than just what happens physically on the mat.
Showing kindness is the opposite of anger and it starts with kindness towards ourselves.
When we are kind to ourselves, our kindness spreads towards others, including those who we might find difficult to be around.
This week, I am sharing a story with the children about my dog and cat, who have had a strong disliking towards each other for over 10 years… until just recently.
They both lost their best friend earlier this year (My other cat who was the furry mediator mother). She had so much love for the dog and the cat and helped keep the peace.
Since then, I have slowly been encouraging Mia and Bella to sit closer together on the couch with me and be kinder towards one another.
You wouldn't believe what happened! Just the other night, Bella the cat climbed over my lap and sat right beside Mia the dog and cuddled up with her!
They both stayed there happy and content and my heart felt so happy to see this beautiful union.
It certainly feels a lot more peaceful when we choose kindness over violence or resistance.
And it just goes to show that we can be kind to others, even those who might be opposite to us.
Kindness doesn’t mean we have to be everyone's friend, but it does mean we can accept people as they are despite their differences.
At the end of the day, we are all seeking love and peace.
In yoga, there is a beautiful loving kindness meditation that invites us to send kind wishes to all beings, even those we might have difficulty with.
It has incredible benefits including activating empathy, self-love and feeling less anger.
The meditation invites us to send loving kindness wishes to people we know, those we don’t know and even pets or objects like toys.
So to all of my beautiful families, on World Kindness day, I send you the three loving kindness wishes I wish upon your children at the end of each class:
May you be safe
May you be happy
May you feel calm.
If you could send a loving kindness wish to someone this week, what might you wish for them?