A few months back when I undertook the task of renovating and opening Breathe Yoga Studio, I had moments when I was consumed with anxiety. All the fears about what I was doing, the risks I was taking and the really hard work… What was I thinking? These feelings of anxiety kept washing over me, to the point I was forgetting the real intention behind opening my studio. Here I was wanting to create a soothing, pleasing, calm place for people to come and experience the joy of yoga and I was freaking out over the process.

So I sat. I sat with these feelings trying to sort out, trying to identify the root, the source. And while sitting and reflecting, I kept saying to myself, “I thought this was going to be easy.” It’s what I’ve always wanted to do; a dream finally coming true. “It should be easy.” Soon this simple sentence began to evolve. “I want this to be easy” and ultimately became my mantra, “This is easy.”

The use of mantra dates back thousands of years. Mantras can be short or long but usually involve positive affirmations or words of devotion. Mantra can help to set and hold an intention. Like cosmic glue. It’s just simple repetition of a work or sentence over and over until it becomes a habit and you begin to feel it on a visceral level. Mantra can be a very useful tool on the road to transformation.

Chanting my mantra helped bring about a shift in consciousness. If you asked me, “How’s it going?” during that time of construction and birthing of the yoga studio, my automatic, and truthful, response would be “This is easier than I had thought.” 

So here we are—already into the second month of 2007! If you set a New Year’s Resolution last month, mantra can help to remind you of your commitment to improvement or change. 

Close your eyes and take 3 long, deep breaths.

Open your inner eye and look around. Find your mantra. What is the first thought that bubbles to the surface? What is your mantra? Remember to keep it short and sweet, this sankalpa, intention, mantra . . . easy to remember and something positive, simple, and active. Now repeat it 5 times, and on the last time feel it dissolve into your whole being.  Turn to your mantra whenever you need a reminder or positive enforcement of the change you wish to manifest in your life. May your mantra sustain you in the coming months. Namaste.