November Intentions: Inner Attention - Yogamatters Blog

As we approach the final stages of 2020 (andWhatIt's been a year?!) It's time to reflect, reevaluate, and perhaps refocus where our attention is directed toward our November intentions. As you may already know, fall and winter contain a lot of yin energy - a type of energy that encourages us to turn our attention inward, rest, restore and use our energy to care for ourselves before returning to the world with the 'yang' energy of spring. When you look outside, you will see trees dropping their leaves, plants retreating into the earth, and nature redirecting its energy everywhere. Instead of pushing energy outward to the ends of leaves and flowers, nature pulls that energy back and stores food in preparation for the cold and dark months ahead. As always, nature teaches us simple lessons that we would benefit from listening to and prompts us to consider where our own energy is directed. Read on for this month's November intentions to turn attention inward, rebuild our emotional and physical energy stores, and remind ourselves that it really is what isWithinthat counts.

This month's mantra:“I focus my attention on what is really important.

I let go of the things that don't deserve my energy. “

It's been a strange year, to say the least. After a few months of lockdown and confinement, during which many of us may have spent time reflecting and reassessing our lives, this limbo period where we are not back to “normal” but still driven by work, family and some form of social life (more than familiar to anyone else).ZoomMeanwhile?) means our attention can feel very scattered. Given the unpredictability and constant change of the air, coupled with the fact that autumn itself is more of a windy, changeable and irregular season, this can all have a big impact on how we feel physically and mentally. From an Ayurvedic perspective, we are all more likely to suffer from onevataImbalance (an excessive amount of air and etheric energy, often causing you to feel anxious, scattered, unfounded and fragile). Vata imbalance can occur when our energy - in the form of attention, thoughts, physical energy and actions - is distributedoutwardinstead ofinner.Now more than ever, it is important to give back to ourselves, recognize where we are “spilling out” or wasting energy, and tending to our inner landscape.

Physical attention

It's no wonder so many of us have body image issues because we're obsessed with technology and driven by appearance. Social media platforms have become a stage where we can all too easily compare ourselves to others and feel inferior when our bodies don't match what we perceive as "perfect." Whether it's HIIT workouts, strenuous yoga sequences, long runs or heavy weights, there are an endless selection of ways to expend energy. The way physical exercise is promoted and presented is often far more suitable for men than women, and the benefits men can actually have on women's bodies. Without diving deep into scientific explanations, where a woman is in her cycle can have a huge impact on how her body responds to exercise, and at certain times of the month, intense physical activity can actually trigger fat storage and inflammation. Simply put; When your body is tired and begging you to rest, it is advisable to listen to it. Especially during the Yin phase of the year, expending energy on hard training can exhaust us and do more harm than good to hormones, mood levels and fitness. Could you choose a long walk in nature instead of vigorously expending energy? A slow but powerful yoga class? More Yoga Nidra? When we choose to conserve rather than expend our energy, we often find that pain, mood swings, and fatigue diminish. So perhaps think about where your physical energy could be directed inward rather than outward this month.

Emotional attention

Anger, joy, sadness, sadness, excitement or anticipation – our emotions can take us on a roller coaster ride. However, sometimes we hold on to emotions that deplete our energy stores and leave us feeling tired and unfocused. Take a moment to consider whether you are holding on to emotions that are simply draining you of energy. It could be jealousy of your friend's new job offer, anger at a partner's actions, or worry about future events. Note whether there is anything you can do to change the problem (and if so, do it!). However, if you can't do this, make a conscious decision to let it go. Emotions are energy in motion and they really need to move. Troubling emotions that we hold on to only do harm to ourselves, and by letting go of them we can give back to ourselves and cultivate a more harmonious internal emotional state.

Mental attention

If there's one place where our energy is often scattered, it's in our heads. Are you constantly worried about the future? Invoking negative outcomes or experiencing serious FOMO? Are you more concerned about what others think of you than making decisions from a place of empowerment and authenticity? The more our focus is outward on things we cannot control or aspects of life that worry us, the more we lose energy and enthusiasm for life. For the next day or so, perhaps jot down the thoughts that pop up in your head. Are most thoughts worrying? Are they fear based? Is it about things you can't control? Or are they aimed at creating an internal state of peace and power? The less distributed our mental energy, the more ability we have to learn, create and think positively.