Yogi Himanshu
At some point of our life most of us reflect and identify habits that for long had been harming us. These bad habits could range from waking up late in the morning, irregular food habits to as worse as smoking or drinking. We generally try our best to break out of them but the enthusiasm dissipates within days of taking the resolve. We find some excuse or the other to switch back to the habit and end up feeling worse than before.
Making promise to the self and then breaking it also becomes a habit! This is the point when alarm bell should start ringing. The vicious circle can go life-long if not addressed. If the desire is deep enough, the ways are invariably found.
Regular practice of yoga can certainly help to get rid of the bad habits. As we roll out the mat and practice various pranayams and asanas for some days we become aware of our body, breath and mind.
As we try to balance the body, fix the gaze at the right point and follow the breath, the awareness level rises considerably. Soon, there comes a point when we start becoming aware of our actions and differentiate between a good one and a bad one.
We start identifying those of our actions which harm us and become conscious of it. Once we identify the problem and understand the obstacles that come in the way to remove the problem, we take the first step towards solving it.
As we progress on the path of yoga and continuously follow the regime for a few months, the urge to indulge in bad habits starts disappearing. It gets replaced with positive thoughts to improve the quality of our life and encourages one to keep walking on the path for longer.
Practising it for longer period increases endurance level of body and mind. This ensures that we do not quit or give up on facing a little discomfort and unease. The hope to see one in a new light proves to be empowering. The little changes that come every day become a proof that the destination is not that far.
The prospect of seeing a better version of ourselves grows stronger with each day and there is no stopping after a while. Soon, transforming oneself becomes a positive habit and after a couple of years the miraculous changes can be noticed.
The old urges continue to reside in some corner of the mind, but if not entertained would weaken and not be able to rear their head. On the other hand, the newly formed habits need a lot of nourishment, and they will grow, as one grows as an individual.
(Author is a well-known yoga teacher and Founder of Himalayan Yoga Association, Rishikesh)