This is one of my favorite podcasts I've been listening to for a about a year now, Trained by Nike. They talk about a training philosophy very similar to mine. The only real difference is I teach on the Four Facets of Performance: Training, Mindset, Recovery and Nutrition, while Nike teaches on the Five Facets Training: Movement, Recovery, Nutrition, Mindfulness and Sleep. They sound pretty similar huh?!
This particular podcast was talking with a master yogi, Jonah Kest, and how he feels yoga has centered his life for the better. Here are the important bullet points from this podcast:
"People think the same thoughts 85% of the time"
Yoga and meditation, focusing on the breath, allows you to quiet the mind and open up some head-space for mental flow and creativity
During these difficult quarantine times, it is important to find social connection and interaction. Some suggestions include Zoom yoga classes, online book clubs, online challenges and competitions, etc.
Yoga isn't about mastering the movements but actually understanding the connection between the mind and the body and being able to control both
"Focus on what is necessary and do what is possible, and the impossible will follow"
"No amount of self-improvement can make up for a lack of self-acceptance"
"Things don't happen to you, they happen for you"
"Strength without flexibility leads you to rigidity. But flexibility without strength leads you to instability"
My two cents:
Yoga is by far my top pick for Recovery, both for the mind and the body. The movements are great for relaxing the body and clearing toxins, but the simplicity of the thoughts during yoga and the focus on the control of the mind is necessary for helping people Exceed Their Potential. The mind can be the largest setback in anyone's life, learn to control it.
Two quotes stuck with me on this podcast. First, people have the same thoughts 85% of the time they are thinking. This just goes to show how fixated people can be on certain topics or mindsets. This can be controlling, potentially toxic, and hard to overcome. The master yogi was saying that learning to control the mind's thoughts, really just silencing them, always for the mind to open up some room for real creativity and new thoughts. You never know what great ideas or mindsets can be found if you just give your mind a chance to let them emerge.
The second quote, "No amount of self-improvement can make up for a lack of self-acceptance." What a powerful quote. Put simply, you can work as hard as you want to change something about yourself, but if you don't love yourself, all that hard work is for nothing. Learn to be content, or better yet pleased, with who you are. Continuing to improve on something that you already love only makes you love yourself more. It's an upwards spiral that can be unstoppable!
Go back into the archives of this podcast. There are so many incredible guests with some outstanding advice. The most important step to becoming better is to educate yourself, so go seek out some new and helpful information!
Comments