“I am Content, here and now.”
Santosha, the Sanskrit for contentment, is popularly practiced as one of the five Niyama ‘observances’ from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Along with the Yamas, there are ten guidelines in the Sutras to help one live with more clarity, vitality and consciousness, both within the world, and within oneself.
Try practicing Hansi Mudra and this statement numerous times during the day: when you feel great (it affirms ‘Wow! Life is great! I AM content!’) and also when you’re feeling less-than-great, which is where the real transformation can occur. It can help reframe the situation and help you see outside of the box in a new perspective.
Hansi Mudra:
- instills a positive mood of being Okay in oneself and the world
- brings breath to chest area stimulating the thymus gland
- supports the immune system
- can help release tension from the jaws
- reveals Contentment within
Begin with 5-10 natural breaths and increase the number of breaths weekly to your practice.
These mudras and information provided are modified from Mudras for Healing and Transformation by Joseph and Lilian LePage, Integrative Yoga Therapy.
