You are doing good things.I admit, Subscriber First Name, that I have to stifle an incredulous laugh when someone says, “I never thought of yoga and the enneagram going together.” I’m mystified. Really? How could they not be intertwined? But I get it. We live in a very siloed world. This week I mention how two different ways of moving and breathing do amazing things for our minds, and hence our emotions, and hence the state of health we reside in within our number. Our bodies, our minds, our hearts—they are inextricably intertwined. First, there is aerobic exercise: any movement that gets us breathing heavy and gets our heart rate up. It has recently been determined that endocannabinoids are responsible for the “runner’s high,” not endorphins. Our bodies produce these neurotransmitters that balance key functions, affecting everything from energy levels to mood to memory. My friend Amy, a 6 who has done CrossFit for years and competes in crazy-amazing weightlifting competitions, says that over half the reason she exercises is due to the mental/emotional benefits. “I probably wouldn’t do any of this if it weren’t for that.” Second, there is yoga: slow, methodical movement linked with deep breathing. Moving meditation. Many studies have been done regarding the benefits of yoga. “. . . in yoga, your constant use and practice of control in your postures, breathing, and mental activity results in increased gray matter density and activation in your hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.” This allows you to have better: ★Focus and concentration ★Emotional and impulse control ★Self-awareness ★Evaluation and decision-making skills (source: YogaMedicine.com, citing scientific studies) My friend and yoga teacher Aleeah, who is beginning to learn the enneagram and estimates she is a 6, tells a story of leaving a particularly powerful yoga class one day. She was driving on the highway, and the hood of her car suddenly popped up, blocking her windshield. She was surprised but simply thought, “Huh.” She slowed down, rolled her side window open so she could lean out and see, pulled over to the side, got out, closed her hood, returned to the driver’s seat, and calmly went on her way. An atypical zen reaction to such a shocking situation, especially for someone in the fear triad. When we do work in our bodies, our mental and emotional selves benefit. We know that, right? Well, this is just your friendly reminder. Click on the image above and hit “log in” on the menu bar to access your member area where all classes are posted.
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