#2013alive: Clear Out Your Mental Clutter to Reveal Your Bliss

It’s month 4, week 1 of our 12 Months of Wellness, and this month we focus on finding our bliss. But first, we need to clear out the mental clutter that blocks our ability to tap into our bliss.

Eoin Finn, self-proclaimed blissologist and founder of the Blissology Project, suggest hatha yoga as a means of clearing the mind. He says that “the body and mind are so intimately connected,” and hatha yoga may be particularly helpful, as it releases “issues in your tissues,” as Finn puts it.

What is hatha yoga?

In Sanskrit, ha means sun and tha means moon, indicating that hatha yoga is rooted in the principle of balancing opposing forces (front/back, left/right, top/bottom). It uses a combination of asanas (postures), pranayama (breath work), and dyana (meditation) to achieve this.

Hatha yoga encompasses nearly 200 postures with numerous variations for different levels, each targeting different muscles and joints for improved flexibility, increased strength, better circulation, and overall good health.

Getting started

If you’ve never tried hatha yoga before, there are a few things you need: a mat and a place to practice. If you are more of a group activity person, check out local yoga studios and community centres for hatha yoga classes.  On the other hand, if you prefer  to try yoga solo, check out your local library for hatha yoga DVDs, or take a gander at the following alive articles:

• “Yoga Tips for Commuters”
•  “Yoga for Grandmothers and Granddaughters”
• “Laughter Yoga”
• “Real Men Do Yoga”

Have you done hatha yoga before? Or do you have a different way to clear out your mental clutter? Let us know by dropping us a line via blog or Facebook comments, or by using the Twitter hashtag #2013alive. While you’re at it, download our April Goal Sheet to track your progress.