Mindfulness Series Part 2: Yoga and Mindfulness

In part two of our mindfulness series, we decided to interview a member of the WSN community and yoga instructor, Sophie. Yoga is a common form of self-care and mindfulness practice to many people around the world, so we asked Sophie about her personal experience with mindfulness as it relates to doing and teaching yoga on a college campus.

What is mindfulness to you?

For me, mindfulness means to be present and aware of my feelings, thoughts, and surroundings. I practice mindfulness by practicing yoga, going on walks, and checking in with myself when I wake up and before I go to bed. I pay attention to the length of my breaths, the thoughts going through my head, and how my body and mind feel. I try to quiet the thoughts in my head and really focus on the present moment, not on all the things on my to-do list I need to complete later, which can still be very difficult tasks on some days.

What do you see as the intersection of yoga and mindfulness for students and for teachers?

Students:

I think that for students yoga is a great gateway to practicing mindfulness and learning different ways to focus on their breath. In yoga, students connect their breath to their movements allowing them to be in a meditative state. Yoga teachers remind students to connect to their breath throughout the class to keep the mind from wandering. By reaching a meditative state in yoga, it becomes a practice of mindfulness as well.

Teachers:

I think that as a yoga teacher, especially a new one, it can be difficult to be present and in the meditative state that you are helping coach the yogis into. I was recently talking to other yoga teachers about this and how they struggle with the same thing. It is so important for us, as yoga teachers, to practice the same mindfulness that we are guiding yogis through. This is why it is still so important for me to practice yoga on my own even when I am teaching to continue developing my mindfulness practice and improving on it, so I am able to connect to it while teaching.

Have you seen a pattern in your students (since they’re primarily college students) in the ways they practice mindfulness?

I have noticed that a lot of students struggle to consistently practice yoga/mindfulness, especially during midterms and finals, when mindfulness and stress relief is very important. I think that it can be hard to dedicate an hour or some time to yourself every day in college when there is so much going on, such as classes, clubs, and social events. Students who practice mindfulness observe the benefits of why consistent practice is important and how it positively benefits everything else you do, such as your productivity, creativity, and patience.

How do you find time in your schedule to practice mindfulness?

I schedule yoga into my calendar almost every day, making sure to take an hour for myself even on my busiest days. I notice how much better my mental health is on the days that I have practiced and how I am able to handle difficult situations better on those days, so I value the time I dedicate to yoga even on the days when it feels like I do not have enough time.

Have you found improvements in your mental health/awareness of your mental health since practicing yoga consistently?

Practicing yoga has definitely helped me to be more present, which has reduced some of my anxiety and improved my mental health. Yoga has taught me the importance of breathing and how to help calm myself in stressful and anxiety-provoking situations. In addition, yoga has helped me to learn how to deepen my focus and avoid distractions. Yoga has also helped to build up my confidence by showing myself that I can do hard things when I put my mind to it.

Do you see a divide in students who practice yoga for physical health vs. for mental/emotional health?

I have not noticed a huge divide as I am not aware of why everyone is choosing to practice yoga. I have noticed that beginner yogis usually first notice the physical health benefits of yoga (i.e. improved flexibility & strength) and then after a few classes, really begin to be aware of the positive impact of yoga on their mental and emotional health and that is what makes them really love yoga and keep practicing.