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I'm sorry to hear you're feeling unhappy and lonely, those are feelings that can easily overwhelm and take over so it's a great thing that you're reaching out for support and advice. I agree with Tati that it's important to try and find happiness in yourself; to come to the understanding that you can make yourself happy rather than relying on others for happiness. If you feel like you messed something up with this person you mention, perhaps try to talk to them and explain your feelings and apologise if you did something wrong. Whether they accept or not, it might give you peace of mind to have shared how you feel. It's been a difficult year that has left many of us feeling lonely and anxious, and due to different stages of restriction it might be hard to socialise with others at this time. Joining our little community is a great thing, but perhaps you can also look into joining (online) classes of some sort? Whether it's yoga, live workouts, a book circle - there are tones of niche communities that have emerged just because people are restricted from going out and meeting in person. Focus on yourself, your wellbeing, and what makes you happy. Take a long walk, do some kind of exercise that you enjoy, bake or cook something delicious, watch a series/movie/documentary that you like, etc. If you never tried it, perhaps give yoga or meditation a chance - it could be a great way to start. There are lots of free yoga classes on YouTube (I like Yoga with Adrienne) and many meditation apps where you can try it out. You can also have look in our Academy for some free resources that you might find interesting! ?

Supporting someone with anxiety requires understanding, empathy, and patience. Here are some steps you can take to provide effective assistance: Educate Yourself: Learn about anxiety disorders, their symptoms, and common triggers. Understanding what your friend or loved one is experiencing can help you provide more informed and compassionate support. Listen Actively: Encourage open communication. Let the person share their feelings and thoughts without judgment. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to can be incredibly helpful. Validate Their Feelings: Acknowledge their anxiety as real and valid. Avoid downplaying or dismissing their emotions. Let them know you are there to support them. Be Patient: Anxiety can be overwhelming, and recovery takes time. Be patient with their progress and setbacks. Offer Practical Help: Assist with tasks that might be difficult for them, such as running errands or attending social events. This can help alleviate some of the stress and pressure they might feel. Encourage Professional Help: Suggest seeking therapy or counseling. A mental health professional can provide appropriate strategies and tools to manage anxiety effectively. Respect Their Boundaries: While your support is crucial, it's important to respect their need for space and time alone when necessary. Practice Relaxation Techniques Together: Encourage relaxation techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, meditation, or yoga. You can even do these activities together to make it more enjoyable. Engage in Positive Activities: Encourage participation in activities they enjoy and that promote well-being. Engaging in hobbies and interests can help distract from anxious thoughts. Avoid Enabling: While it's important to be supportive, avoid helping them avoid situations that trigger anxiety. Encouraging gradual exposure to these situations can promote long-term coping skills. Be Mindful of Language: Use language that is positive and supportive. Avoid telling them to "calm down" or implying that they should just "get over it." Stay Connected: Keep in touch regularly, even if it's just to check in. Knowing that someone cares can make a significant difference. Model Healthy Coping: Demonstrate healthy coping strategies in your own life. Your behavior can serve as a positive example. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs: Encourage them to avoid using alcohol or drugs to cope with anxiety, as these can exacerbate the problem. Emergency Plan: If their anxiety becomes overwhelming or they're in crisis, know the signs of a severe anxiety attack and have a plan for seeking immediate professional help. Remember that you are there to support and encourage, but you are not a substitute for professional help. If their anxiety is severely impacting their life, encourage them to seek assistance from a mental health professional. Your role is to be a caring and understanding friend or loved one during their journey towards managing anxiety.

I practice body scan (yoga nidra) since 1992 as part of my yoga routine. I start and finish the lesson with ten minutes of yoga nidra when I run my yoga classes. In the beginning it is done to get in contact with our somatosensory system and relax every part of the body. In the end it is done to relax the muscles and start releasing the lactic acid produced during the yoga positions. Nidra means dream/sleep. It is a several thousands years old practice. It connects the body with the motor homunculus. This represents a map of brain areas dedicated to motor processing for different anatomical divisions of the body. The primary motor cortex is located in the precentral gyrus, and handles signals coming from the premotor area of the frontal lobes. All the above is part of the somatosensory system together with the neurons that make sensing touch, temperature, and position in space possible. This just to say that body scan is much more important that what we may think. What we experience (boredom and sleepiness included) is just the top of the iceberg.....

For me, this music is a yoga. Music is really the best way to relieve stress, and yoga is a great skill but it's hard to find the right video, but you can easily find it on your mobile so you can try it too.

HI! My name is Anna, found this site for accident (though there are no accidents, right?))) I practice positive well-being for quite a long time, I meditate, doing yoga, use positive affirmations, journalling an so on. Recently I started a course on Coursera "The science of well-being", and realized, how much I love positive psychology. Even starting thinking about starting a career in this field. I don't have enough like-minded people in my off line life, friends who would be on the same page with me. So this forum is a tresure box for me. Hoping to find new frieds here.

I think yoga can benefit you in so many ways. It's great to mentally calm down and just focus on breathing and being in the moment, but it is also a workout! I would suggest either checking out Yoga with Adrienne (or any other online yoga videos) or go to an actual class where you live. Many gyms offer yoga classes too, so if you're already a member of a gym it could be worth checking out. A lot of yoga studios will offer the first class for free or at a reduced price

I enjoyed that mindful yoga is an active practice. The constant physical sensations from stretching, moving, and breathe prompts to focus in the present. It also allowed me to become more aware of "striving" thoughts and even recognize when thoughts take a turn to negative because I was striving to be better (pushing myself to try a harder version of the posture, be critical of my own body/abilities). I became aware of how often I have "planning" thoughts. While I found great joy in practicing mindful yoga, I also started to "crave" in a way the intentional attention to the present that I thought came more naturally in sitting meditation. It was easier to be present and aware of my thoughts in sitting meditation then attend to them without judgment and compassion than in mindful yoga because of the distraction from movement and physical sensations.

Hi, I'm new to the forum but not to meditation. I found peace of mind in my teens with Yoga although I didn't consciously meditate. In my thirties I started going to a Tai Chi class which taught me a lot about mindfulness, although it wasn't called that at the time. Tai chi is a form of meditation in itself even though it is practiced moving. I got 'into' Tai Chi so much that when a friend asked me to take over teaching a class, I took it on and over the last twenty plus years I have developed that and run a few regular classes every week. To be more precise, just over five years ago I found a Qigong teacher and have gradually changed my practice and teaching to that discipline. For those of you who don't know what Qigong is, it's the precursor of Tai Chi and goes back centuries. My Qigong teacher is very knowledgeable and also practices Shiatsu and has run both Tai Chi and martial arts classes. However, he does not meditate as such, although the way he practices Qigong is very profound and internal. Six years ago I had a mild heart attack, and have suffered from palpitations for as long as I can remember. This means that I find it uncomfortable using internal cues such as the heartbeat in meditation. Whenever I feel anxious and have a high heart rate, I find that listening to my heartbeat or breath is not soothing, and often only magnifies my discomfort. I find daydreaming most effective in calming and lowering my heart rates - imagining a relaxing scenario or 'telling myself a story'. My question is this - is there a way to overcome my discomfort with internal sensations, or alternatively is there something similar to daydreaming that I can harness or duplicate as a meditation? I'd be interested to hear any suggestions.

I like the yoga meditations. My next favorite is sitting meditation. But yoga keeps my mind on task. My body is moving. I have to breath to do the poses correctly. And I look forward to the yoga movements. I find on other days I get distracted with the body scan. I keep wishing I was on the next part instead of being satisfied where I am. In sitting meditation, i get antsy and distracted too. It doesnt happen with yoga as much. It's like familiarity breeds anxiety and rushing. Any ideas?

@Tine Thank you for your detailed response! I've extended week 3 for an additional week as I missed a couple of days along the way and didn't have time to do the readings for the next week either. I had one really 'good' yoga session writing my last comment, where I was determined to be present and accept whatever was there. It almost felt like the body scan and led me to feel more in contact with my body, and I felt a sense of relief afterwards. I had one really 'bad' yoga session that I had to cut short as I got so distracted that I started to think of upsetting things to the point I'd totally tuned out and started crying. And I had one that felt 'pointless' as I felt I was just putting my body in different positions but not paying attention to what I was doing at all. I also tried a different 'yoga for ptsd' practice on a day that was difficult for me and was astonished by how much physically weaker I am when feeling very depressed. I think the best day I had with the prescribed video on this course was when I was feeling very low indeed, and even slight movement was a challenge. It provided maybe just enough of a challenge on those days.. Maybe on days when I'm feeling stronger, it would be good to push myself a little more, in order to keep myself more engaged. I think while I'm following this course, I'll try to follow it to the letter as closely as possible, just to be able to notice how the same practice can feel different on different days. But once I've completed it, I'll select practices that I feel will be the most helpful to me on a given day. Just trying not to waste too much time in the mornings wondering which video would be 'optimal' rather than actually just doing something (a very real challenge with ADHD haha)

I myself am a person who has practiced yoga, although the practice time is not long, I can feel a significant change in health. The practice is like the most relaxing therapy I feel.

Disease to Ease is a path that is set by the blend of Yog, Ayurveda, and Dhyaan, and it is a holistic approach to healing and wellbeing. Kaivalyadhama is one such institution that has been at the forefront of this movement, offering courses and programs that combine these ancient sciences to promote optimal health and wellness. Ayurveda, the science of life, emphasizes the importance of balance and harmony in the body, mind, and spirit, while yoga focuses on physical postures, breath control, and meditation to cultivate inner peace and strength. Dhyaan, or meditation, is a practice that brings awareness to the present moment, allowing individuals to connect with their inner selves and find peace amidst the chaos of daily life. Together, these practices provide a powerful foundation for healing and transformation, allowing individuals to move from a state of disease to a state of ease. Through the guidance and support of Kaivalyadhama, individuals can discover the tools and practices they need to create a life of health, happiness, and wellbeing.

What are exercises , yoga and food can help to reduce anxiety and stress?

I think yoga can be beneficial at any age 🌈 There are many different styles of yoga too, so I'm sure you'll find one that you enjoy. Check out these articles from the magazine for a few examples:

What do I bring back from this year BYC, I would say the smiles and the connection with people! My dog Miso would probably remember the heat! How wonderful to see people sharing and discovering a part of the world of yoga together. Without judgement. Just with an open mind. I am so grateful to have been invited to support the happiness.com project, to join this happy family who their goal is to make room for happiness in people’s (and animals!) life. I loved to see people taking the time to sit with us, learn more about what we do, but most importantly, people taking the time to get to know each other. So much, that I actually met a wonderful yoga teacher from Turkey who is actually a friend of someone I did my Jivamukti teacher training in India with a few years ago! The world is small and full of surprises! How wonderful it was to see how we could all work together, people from different trades, with different skill sets, from the vegan food truck, the kombucha bar to the essential oils parlour, pouring their heart into their passion. In all, people using their strength and together, collaborate on ultimately making our world a better place. There is more to yoga than just the physical practice. Yoga means union. The people at BYC proved that we can all unite! How could make this on a bigger scale? And/or more often? We need more of this events, more of these platforms, connecting, celebrating life, celebrating being who we are, be happy!

I spent my Saturday at the stand, trying to make eye-contact and get the attention of passersby. It was VERY hot, but we were well sheltered and shaded in our cosy little stand. I loved that the free area had a covered stage where there was always live music, some dancing or even yoga classes. The conference was very family-friendly and many people brought their children who played and had fun at the children's classes. On Sunday, I joined two yoga classes, the first being YOGA FOR EVERYONE, by popular German yogi, Patrick Broome. Since I had no idea what to expect, and with a sore neck and a heatwave, I was so relieved to find a very intuitive flow that included a lot of shaking and humming, which left me both relaxed and energised at the same time! Twenty minutes after that class ended, I joined the Rainbow Yoga class by Marcus Felsner, which was also a treat. We started off slowly, going in and out of poses. The room was situated in a shaded courtyard with a wonderful breeze caressing our arms and legs with every pose. The class ended with the most delicious savasana, and then a 20-minute singing session where Marcus whipped out his guitar and led us in harmony. Although my legs were VERY sore the next day, I very much enjoyed both classes and was grateful for learning new sequences from yogis who've been teaching for nearly as old as I am! I think the BYC organisers did a great job in providing a space for people to connect, learn and share, and I was proud to be a part of that with happiness.com. I really liked that the conference was eco-friendly in the sense that they kept single-use plastic use to the absolute minimum and encouraged recycling wherever possible. I would've liked to see more (local) people visiting the conference, especially the free area. I wondered whether it was a question of marketing. Overall, the entire experience was great, and I would like to go back next year to join as many events in a day as I can! ?

I wanted to start my answer with "I am not much into yoga" then I remembered that I attend a weekly yoga class ? So I might have to reassess that. The two days I spend at the Barcelona Yoga conference were in the free area. So I can't comment on the quality of the paid part. Having a free area that not only has food trucks and shops but also a small stage that offered music was a nice touch, which I thought reflected the values of a conscious community well. There were also free Yoga classes offered for those who can't afford a ticket. My favourite time was when the music played at the free stage - some Bhajans to sing along and be joyful. I had some inspiring, deep conversations which also highlighted to me that conscious gatherings and shangas create an atmosphere of openness, safety and support that is hard to find elsewhere but which the world needs. So it was a much-appreciated opportunity to recharge my batteries there.

Hi to Everyone here ,Iam new this is community. What is the one thing I want people to know about me ? Iam from the Philippines and at the present iam into travel and tours business/ iam a Reiki practitioner / Kundilini yoga practitioner / Certified Life Skills and Self Discovery Coach. Iam here to learn and grow and to meet new people and be able to share what i've learned. My warm regards to everybody.

Mood improvement yoga stretching low impact exercise guided meditation TRANSCENDENTALMEDITATION or zen meditation taught be well practiced teacher Hypnosis to release negative mind set. To purge a new path change is good no fear & know to love yourself and be a positive change for other that know to give love back not hate or judgement

A lot of people find yoga and meditation to be great tools to overall wellbeing and happiness 🙌 However you should do what you feel works best for you! There are lots of different kinds of yoga and meditation, so if you're curious but not sure what's right for you, I'd suggest you try a few different types to see if anything reonates with you. I'll share a few links from the magazine if you're interested in finding out more!

I am beginning Week 4 and I'm really tuned into how my body, mind and spirit have changed. I'm gaining this general sense of calm that I carry throughout my day more consistently. A close friend of mine said she noticed a big difference in my general demeanor. I find the yoga (just any added movement to the meditation/mindfulness practices) is much more beneficial for me at this moment, I've recognized that it grounds me and allows me to pay closer attention to my body and breath while being fully present. Week 3 meditations found it difficult to quiet my heightened brain and I didn't feel the benefit I had been since beginning this course and a consistent practice. I did find myself back to feeling in my practice with the addition of the yoga. I've been practicing yoga (informally, on my own) for many years and this course has been enhancing my ability to incorporate mindfulness into my practice, which was what I felt was missing! The science behind these concepts and practices is also really awesome and has been keeping my momentum going!

I have been working out for many years and I always try to incorporate yoga into my routine weekly. FINALLY, with mindful breathing AND yoga I am able to find the success behind it. in the past i would lay there at the end and be thinking about all the other things i could be doing. One day at a time and Im seeing the benefits of yoga and mindfulness

The person does not adjust to fit the yoga practice. The yoga practice is adjusted to fit the person. For those just starting out, I highly recommend seeking out a local instructor and invest in a handful of private sessions. The terminology is one of the biggest learning curves when just getting started in yoga. Plus, you want a teacher who can and WILL adjust the practice and the poses to you and your body as well as assist you in learning and connecting with your body. You can't get that from anything online. Namaste.

Hi @Emma200904, those feelings might be very confusing for you. I had similar experiences. What helped me was to understand Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. This is kind of a life guide. Patanjali describes samsaya as one of the 10 obstacles in the yoga path. Samsaya means doubts. https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5747/samsaya and it's a natural state of a yoga practice. Practicing non-attachment can be a good method to overcome those feelings. I saw a regular Meditation practice as helpful where I focussed on that. Remember we are not our thoughts. I use the app headspace to keep on meditating.

Cool T-shirt. Given your smiles the yoga and meditation seem to be working for you. I must seriously consider stretching and breathing like so for my own health as struggling with the gym environment these days. Can be a little sensory overload at times. 🙏