mental changes

[Guest guest]

I'm a 17-year-old girl and I started ashtanga

yoga about eight months ago. When I started I was

fully aware of the practice's sort of related physical

consequences. Me and my mother (who also does ashtanga yoga

now) have both stopped eating meat and fish and

chicken and all that, and we both have also stopped

smoking, I after two years and my mother after 30 years of

heavy smoking. <br> So nowadays I'm a bit mixed up

because a few months ago I suddenly started to go through

some pretty heavy mental changes. I have become a lot

more patient, good-willing, balanced and attentive. My

mother said that although I am quite easily influenced

because of my young age, she too has been quite surprised

of these changes. I have also noticed that I tend to

aim at peace (I hope you can understand what I

mean...), both inner and outer peace. Nowadays I get into

stressful situations because my friends can't understand

why I don't want to keep on living that hectic life I

used to live. <br>So, that's enough of my experiences,

now I would like to ask you, wise yogis, a few

questions. Is it normal to go through this kind of changes

this fast? Is it good that I have noticed all this?

Should I start to practice more often ( now three times

a week ( I do have other hobbies as well!)), and

what would that cause? If anybody has opinions to

share, I'd appreciate!<br><br>Shanti everybody!

[Guest guest]

wow.<br>I cannot speak of these qualities in

myself, sadly,(and no-one has yet rushed up to me to

point these qualities out ) .....but maybe if i didnt

have the diet and yoga etc id've been like a

disgruntled postal worker, mowing about with an uzzi. (It is

all relative.) Or actually, been depressed, which

psychologists say is anger turned inward.<br><br>So instead of

maybe depressed i feel tons of joy and a keen

connection to nature and all living beings. But it was

gradual - i had already been vegetarian for long when i

started the physical part of yoga. And older - so the

accumulation of daily pain over years as well as negative

mental patterns may have taken longer to

soften.<br><br>The reason why you may be able to see such a contrast

is that you had all these dormant good qualities,

and all at once, rather than gradually as it happens

for most, you eliminated a LOT of toxins from your

diet and simultaneously started the cleansing first

series of yoga.<br><br>So being young and hopefully

relatively pure within 8 months of this CLEANSE some of the

layers of dirt like veils over a lamp have been removed

and your inner light is shining through. How

encouraging!You mustbe very motivated to pursue your cleanse and

find the joy of our accumulative essence.<br><br>Thanx

for sharing.

[Guest guest]

Keep up the good work! You're definitely on the

right track. Practice as often as you want to. I think

that some kind of daily practice is the best, but

don't burn yourself out. Don't let your friends give

you any grief for doing something that you like to

do, either.

[Guest guest]

I also noticed significant mental and emotional

changes within a few months after starting the practice

of ashtanga yoga. I used to have a mean temper and I

can't even remember the last time I really went

bonkers. I also used to be quite weepy and depressed and

restless. This also rapidly changed after commensing

practice. Coincidence? I don't think so. Like Chamoya, I

was a veggie for many years prior to doing ashtanga;

however, since practicing I have not had any uncomfortable

food cravings/addictions like I had before, while at

the same time I'm less restrictive in what I consume.

Also I notice feeling much more energetic in

general.<br><br>As for "should you practice more often," it's prob.

best to let that happen naturally.

[Guest guest]

There is a 16 year old girl practicing ashtanga

yoga at my yoga school. I was her first yoga teacher.

She is easy to talk to and tells me all of the time

how much she feels like a "Real" person. I take it

from her that she is sensative and more aligned with

her own source of inspiration for living.

<br><br>namaste

[Guest guest]

"...what would that

cause?"<br><br>Congrtatulations on your practice! How much more do you want to

do? If it is more, do more, the yoga will not hurt

you given proper practice. Hopefully you and your

mother have an experienced teacher who is training you

in the mold of Sri K. Pattabhijois. I would say to

focus on your breathing the most, then try to perfect

each pose before trying too many. You have a lifetime

to master the series. Guruji says that those who

practiced in their early 20's and before reap large

benefits because the body and mind are still developing.

(not your standard western concept)<br><br>Changes

will come but that is the nature of life for a 17 year

old-change. Try to bring your yoga practice into your life

and "stressful" situations by breathing deeper as you

would in practice, say in a classroom, confrontation or

simply enjoying a wonderful day. You will grow stronger

and clearer with each practice. Best of

luck.<br><br>Yours in yoga,