Journaling is about creating clarity, prioritizing your energy, and provides an opportunity for positive self-talk. It is also an amazing way to see how much you’ve grown, changes in mindset, and your progress toward your goals.
Through documenting our thoughts and feelings, we advance our self-awareness and self-control. It gives us the ability to analyze how we are currently showing up in the world and provides us the opportunity to feel empowered in our decisions.
Consider these 10 ways below on how to utilize journaling as Svadhyaya, or self-reflection, either through life, or especially during your experience of going through Yoga Teacher Training. Ultimately, your journal is a place to practice vulnerability and honesty, and bring that in to the world to truly live yoga!
- Create your own personal sacred space where you can write that is safe, private and easy to access. This could be a space in your home, your favorite coffee shop, or a quiet spot in nature.
- Consider buying a physical journal or writing in your yoga books, especially in your copy of the Yoga Sutras. Writing your own interpretations of the sutras is a wonderful way to deepen your connection to them.
- Breathe. Find your own stillness or readiness regularly. You can set the intention to journal as often as you feel would serve you.
- Consider reading yogic literatures or scriptures as prompts for journaling. Or, reflect on your yoga classes; acknowledge your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
- Ask yourself questions. Allow what comes up to come out onto the journal pages. Challenge your assessment of situations or conversations you may have had. What lens are you viewing the world with?
- Take time to journal on what you are grateful for – this is known as “Gratitude Journaling.” Focusing on our blessings has amazing benefits for both our physical and mental health.
- Use journaling for your overall mental and emotional wellbeing. Write down all your thoughts and feelings to understand them more clearly. Always remember: You are not your thoughts. So putting them out on paper (the good, the bad and the ugly), helps you gain distance from them and see things from a more productive, neutral perspective. Let your journal be a safe space for you to bring up, express, and process emotions.
- Use journaling for Self-Empowerment. Choose positive affirmations about yourself and write them down. Examples are:
- I am kind to all beings and spread love everywhere.
- I matter and I am making a positive difference in the world.
- I like/love myself and I’m my own best friend and support.
- I am enough and choose not to compare myself to others.
- I am a committed yogi.
Using these positive affirmations and allowing you to be kind to yourself is a way of practicing Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satya (truthfulness).
- Take care to keep your journaling private. Share only the parts of your journal you feel inspired to share. You have the freedom to write about whatever you want and about whomever you want. You don’t have to worry about proper grammar and you can even try various different writing style Anything you do in your journal is for you and you alone. Write about whatever you want and do your best to include as many experiences as possible.
- Take the time to review your journal entries periodically. Think about each journal entry you have made and what it mean This is the true aspect of self growth through journaling. It is easy to recognize changes in yourself through your journaling. You may find that you had a disturbing idea one day, yet the next your attitude or perspective had changed.
Do you have the urge to embrace the principles of yoga to enhance your qualify of health and well-being, as well as facilitate a deep spiritual connection in your life? Southwest Institute of Healing Arts gives you the opportunity to study and practice an authentic expression of yoga with a transformational approach that honors a diversity of practices and belief systems. Our next start date is February 21, 2022 with amazing Yoga Instructor Laura McKinzie for the Morning Fast Track schedule. Transform your life today!
