The ripple effect

My teenage kids can be a challenge with turbulent and unpredictable moods and impulsive behaviours. It's certainly not easy being a teenager. As they are a huge part of my life they take as much energy, patience and goodwill as I can muster. Keeping calm and bringing positive energy to meet their teenage hormones is sometimes the best thing I can do for them, and I can't always even do that!

 It helps hugely to practice yoga each morning before I head downstairs to greet them. If I manage to arrive with a positive mindset, it effects how my day goes, my perception of everything I encounter, and if I can bring humour and fun to whatever they bring to the breakfast table, it instantly raises their mood too. And if you know any teenagers, moods are a big deal.

 Our yoga practice is not only for us but also those around us. If our outlook can be improved, then it has a ripple effect that goes far beyond ourselves. We experience each moment of our day through the lens of our minds. We colour everything we encounter with our moods, our emotions and mindset. And if the lens of our mind is cloudy, murky or moody, then that will be how we interpret most things.
 
And then we do our yoga... Moving and breathing in helpful ways actually shifts things. It changes our state to become lighter, more positive, more vibrant and able to meet challenges with more positive energy, which is contagious.. 
 
Weekly yoga, daily yoga even for 10 minutes - it all counts. And it accumulates over time. We build up a positive 'credit' of health and positive energy. We can draw on this when times get tough, and we can invest into it and build up our credit when times are good. 
 
Keep showing up to your practice and the ripple effects will positively effect everyone around you. Even teengers.