Keerthika S.

1. Focus

Focus is the ability to direct the flow of consciousness onto a specific object. In yoga, we use our breath as a main point of focus; helping us be aware of the ever-changing mental and physical experiences of the present moment.

With time and practice, your ability to focus becomes stronger, having a positive effect on your life. The ability to continuously choose one area of focus among many other stimuli directly determines your ability to learn, perform tasks, and have satisfactory life experiences.

2. Patience

Patience is the ability to wait with tolerance. In yoga, we improve our patience by emphasizing the process rather than the goal. We perform our postures and other practices without expecting immediate feedback or accomplishment.

Since we release our need to achieve an objective, we can enjoy the experience itself. This helps us to tolerate the delay of gratification; allowing us to maintain balance.

3. Self-control

Self-control is the ability to inhibit oneâ??s impulses, unconscious reactions, or bad habits. In yoga, we learn self-control by becoming aware of our physical and mental patterns, accepting them for being a part of us, and then changing them through an applied effort.

The more we apply ourselves towards creating a positive change and inhibiting negative tendencies, the more we become proficient in self-control. Paradoxically, in yoga we try to free ourselves from the self-imposed constrictions of our mind by learning how to control it.

4. Mental flexibility

Mental flexibility is the ability to adapt in the light of new information and circumstances. When we practice yoga, we receive a constant flow of changing information: from our bodies, our minds, our teachers, or other practitioners around us. Based on this feedback, we often need to adjust our physical posture or mental state. This ability to change in the light of circumstances increases our mental flexibility, and eventually spills over into our daily lives off the mat.

Mental flexibility enables us to continuously keep on learning and growing: it helps us to make better decisions, come up with new strategies, and let go of the things that donâ??t serve us positively.

5. Stress Management

Stress management is the ability to cope with the demands of daily life. In yoga, we put ourselves under possibly stressful circumstances, such as learning new and challenging poses that make us face our fears and mental blockages. We learn to manage these stressful circumstances by applying a continuous effort despite the perceived difficulties.

Through sustained practice, we learn to release our anxieties, becoming increasingly better at responding to the demands of the posture or given circumstances. As we succeed despite the difficulties, we empower ourselves and learn to love to take on challenges in the future.