{"id":30130,"title":"Creating Pathways for Positive Change","description":"Every thought we have, every thing we do or say, leaves behind a latent impression within us. These impressions change us, they colour our perception, often without our awareness, and affect how we behave in the future. In yoga and other Indian traditions this is known as the cycle of \u2018vrittis\u2019 and \u2018samskaras\u2019. Vrittis are our behaviours - our thoughts and actions, and samskaras are the latent impressions they leave behind. Vrittis leave samskaras, and samskaras cause vrittis, in an ongoing cycle. If we put our energy into positive vrittis, and avoid negative vrittis, we will create constructive and healthy vritti samskara cycles. The practice of yoga can create space where we once were stuck, shift our focus, and guide us towards patterns of peace.","content":"

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Every thought we have, every thing we do or say, leaves behind a latent impression within us. These impressions change us, they colour our perception, often without our awareness, and affect how we behave in the future. The more we repeat a behaviour or a thought, the more ingrained the impression becomes, and the more it influences our behaviour. It is how we acquire skills, knowledge, habits, and attitudes. In yoga and other Indian traditions this is known as the cycle of \u2018vrittis\u2019 and \u2018samskaras\u2019. Vrittis are our behaviours - our thoughts and actions, and samskaras are the latent impressions they leave behind.<\/p>

\u00a0Vrittis leave samskaras, and samskaras cause vrittis, in an ongoing cycle. Samskaras left by positive behaviours tend to reinforce positive behaviour, which in turn leave beneficial samskaras. Samskaras left by damaging behaviour can dig themselves deep and cause a downward spiral. We are an ever-evolving complex pattern of samskaras, patterns that can help us to grow, or hold us back. So, it should be simple: if we put our energy into positive vrittis, and avoid negative vrittis, we will create constructive and healthy vritti samskara cycles. Only, we all know that it\u2019s not that easy. We all have at least some samskaras that hinder and harm us, but which we cannot seem to stamp out.<\/p>

\u00a0Often it really isn\u2019t our fault. We are human, we are messy, we make mistakes, which naturally have consequences, but many samskaras also result from reactions to events over which we had no control. Samskaras left in the wake of acute distress may affect us especially deeply. What\u2019s more, vrittis that help us cope with adversity leave samskaras that may actually serve us well for a time, but prevent positive growth when circumstances change. We often find this difficult to recognise, and cling to unfavourable vrittis because of their familiarity. We also underestimate samskaras left by negative thoughts, which, even if never acted upon or voiced, are pernicious. They make it all too easy for us to the believe we are not worthy of better.<\/p>

\u00a0We sometimes attempt to suppress samskaras, but we are almost always unsuccessful. The more we fight, the more we feel like we are failing. We often end up only strengthening the hold they have on us. Instead we need to direct our energy into establishing new patterns. Our focus should be on engaging in new vrittis that genuinely fulfil us, and which naturally direct us away from less desirable habits. However self-compassion and patience are required. Fresh samskaras will gradually gain a toe hold, and slowly embolden us to stop using old well worn paths, but deeply ingrained samskaras will not disappear overnight. It\u2019s hard, and we usually need help.<\/p>

\u00a0Organised religion and cohesive communities have traditionally provided us with guidance and encouragement, and without them many of us are lost. The big corporations are only too keen to step in and entice us with vrittis that appeal to our innate desire for instant gratification, and further embed negative patterns. The practice of yoga can provide much needed pragmatic direction in developing positive patterns that nourish body, mind and spirit.<\/p>

\u00a0The practices of yoga asana (postures) and pranayama (breath control) can be hugely beneficial in themselves. Yoga asanas help to keep the entire body fit and healthy. They develop strength and flexibility, improve ease of movement, coordination and balance, and support healthy digestion. And along with breath control, postures help to calm and focus the mind, so that we are able to step back from chaos and make considered and conscious choices. However, yoga can be truly transformative when asana and pranayama are practiced upon the foundation of the yogic ethical guidelines \u2013 the yamas and niyamas, which encourage us to restrain behaviours that disturb the mind, while observing behaviours that promote positive growth. When we integrate the practice of yoga into all areas of our life, it can create space where we once were stuck, shift our focus, and guide us towards patterns of peace.<\/p>","urlTitle":"creating-pathways-for-positive-change","url":"\/blog\/creating-pathways-for-positive-change\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/creating-pathways-for-positive-change\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/unitystreetyoga.teemill.com\/blog\/creating-pathways-for-positive-change\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1690192657,"updatedAt":1715795930,"publishedAt":1715795930,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":221136,"name":"Unity Street Yoga"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/no2ybh7jldzxacvypsqkavegvc1r6ozuw0vvugfcpzs9dm7e.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/no2ybh7jldzxacvypsqkavegvc1r6ozuw0vvugfcpzs9dm7e.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/no2ybh7jldzxacvypsqkavegvc1r6ozuw0vvugfcpzs9dm7e.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Yoga - Creating Pathways for Positive Change","metaDescription":"Yoga can create space where we once were stuck, shift our focus, and guide us towards patterns of peace.","series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":22097,"title":"Why do I practice yoga?","url":"\/blog\/why-do-i-practice-yoga\/","urlTitle":"why-do-i-practice-yoga","division":221136,"description":"Yoga is an integral part of my life. However, I didn't used to see myself as a 'yoga type of person' at all. I was inflexible and awkward, I drank heavily and took drugs daily, and I thought \u2018spirituality\u2019 was for suckers. I dismissed yoga as some kind of \u2018new-age nonsense\u2019. So what changed?","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/mrrspaq75urthza147wyafmvn0mcrvz8b9vvynyas4mknq0n.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/mrrspaq75urthza147wyafmvn0mcrvz8b9vvynyas4mknq0n.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":18163,"title":"Yoga Yoga Yoga! What's all the fuss about?","url":"\/blog\/yoga-yoga-yoga\/","urlTitle":"yoga-yoga-yoga","division":221136,"description":"Yoga yoga yoga!What's all the fuss about?You gotta do yogaI hear everyone shout!But what is this yoga?A type of exercise?Is it to 'find myself'?Can I still eat French fries?It doesn't look easy,From the photos I've seenYou gotta be bendyAnd supermodel thin. I'm not wearing leggings,I gotta lose weight first,I cannot touch my toes,My balance is the worst!Yoga yoga yoga!It\u2019s all I hear about!But what is this yoga?Can someone help me out?","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/lrt7idafljoea4afrxloa4xvs2kvzqxknteapcdnvz1uxgl9.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/lrt7idafljoea4afrxloa4xvs2kvzqxknteapcdnvz1uxgl9.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}