( Here’s a typical Tara Stiles blog, this one from the  
Nissan “Master the Shift” Facebook page: )

Yoga shows us how to focus on our breathing so we can be easy in our bodies. From there, things have a chance to strengthen, lengthen, and cultivate health. With force things break. Yoga shows us how to be efficient in our bodies and minds on the mat so we can be efficient in our lives.

We don’t have to be on our yoga mat to be practicing yoga and we don’t have to be in our yoga clothes to be at peace with ourselves. Effort with ease and easy effort is a result of practice. You become yoga when you practice. You live yoga. You are easy. You are at peace. You are efficient. You are confident. You are grounded. You are intuitive. You are creative.

You are these things all the time but we forget and things get in the way. Our psychology gets in the way. Our judgements get in the way. Our physical bodies, if not healthy, get in the way. Yoga clears the path for you to get everything out of the way. Yoga makes room for peace in your body.

When you feel at peace you’re going to make choices that enrich your life and everything you come into contact with. When you are at peace in your body your possibilities are limitless. When you feel stuck, insecure, judged, judgemental, or negative, peace is still there, it is just covered up under everything lying on top of it. It’s up to you to do the work to make the way for peace.

Give Peace A Chance For 5 minutes.

Try it out.  Wherever you are, begin to notice how you feel. Try not to judge how you feel. Notice how your body feels. Notice what your thoughts are. Notice where your self-esteem and your passions are. Do you feel tired, energized, or complacent? Notice. Observe and pay attention.

Now take a moment to remember what it feels like to be empowered, energized, excited, creative, and grounded. Focus on your breathing. When a thought comes into your brain, watch it come in, and watch it go – like you’d watch clouds go by on a summer day lying on your back on a warm grass patch.

Watch yourself. Know that you are capable of limitless possibilities. Know that your capabilities and potential need not be forced. Your will need not be forced on yourself. Allow yourself to be and allow yourself to know that your effort is enough. Your honest effort will carry you to where you need to be and where you need to be will always be right here inside yourself. You are your body. Treat your body well. You also live inside your body. Treat everything inside your body well. Treat yourself well. You’re worth it.

( By Tara Stiles, from the  
Nissan “Master the Shift” Facebook page: )