In praise of putting pen to paper
In recent years, our global society faced unprecedented challenges as the pandemic disrupted our lives, confining us temporarily to a world of isolation. While we savour the return to authentic human experiences, the echoes of that trying period linger. As we reclaim normalcy, now is the ideal time to carry forward lessons—best achieved by putting pen to paper.
Creativity is vital to our existence, whether expressed through gardening, cooking, reading or music. The joy of producing herbs, crafting recipes, composing music or reading inspirational stories is undeniable. Writing, especially journaling, provides a unique outlet that also amplifies our inner voice. Do you keep a journal?
Why journaling?
Journaling, often considered a lost art form, might be cast aside as a relic of the past—a practice relegated to childhood. Yet, dedicating meaningful time to this age-old technique proves invaluable for mental well-being and fostering a deeper connection with oneself.
Putting pen to paper allows you to organise and clarify your thoughts, untangling the clutter of the mind and sharpening perspective. This can be an extremely cathartic and therapeutic experience.
Beyond serving as a mere record, a journal transforms into a repository of personal growth. In the years to come, reading and reflecting on past entries unveils behavioural patterns and tracks progress. These insights empower continuous self-improvement.
If you’re wondering what you should write about, Yoga For Good Foundation has some suggestions.
Write about gratitude
Start on a cheerful note and list two or three things you’re grateful for. Journaling gratitude shifts focus to an optimistic mindset. By reflecting on and acknowledging all the good things in your life, you enhance your overall perspective and nurture a more constructive approach to challenges.
Cultivating an attitude of gratitude has been associated with lower stress levels. Appreciating the positive aspects of your life actively creates a mental space that counteracts pressure and worry, contributing to better overall mental well-being.
Your gratitude is a tangible reminder, affirming your resilience in the face of obstacles. It amplifies your perspective by accentuating the positive and distinguishing it from the negative parts of life.
Record your challenges
Life is inherently complex, with its share of stress and problems – some beyond our control and others not. Nonetheless, journaling provides a healing avenue to clear your mind of worries and relieve any tension they may cause. When documenting challenges, it’s essential to avoid dwelling on them. Instead, use the process to purge and release.
With time, the documentation of your challenging experiences evolves into a valuable reflection, providing profound insights into your growth, strength, resourcefulness and the successful patterns employed in navigating difficult situations.
In your journal, instead of framing challenges as insurmountable obstacles, shift the narrative. You’re in control. Use language that focuses on solutions, lessons learned and potential areas for growth to empower you moving forward.
Set goals and affirmations
Set clear goals to anticipate and work towards. Achieving them will bring a sense of fulfilment and accomplishment. Consider your desires for the day, week, month, year and even five years ahead and jot them down. A goal only becomes tangible when written. Then, develop a concrete plan outlining how you will attain your goals.
Affirmations are powerful statements that reflect positive beliefs about ourselves and our potential. They are concise, self-affirming phrases that will remind you of your strengths, goals and the changes you want to make.
Journaling goals and affirmations provides a private space to nurture confidence, foster a positive mindset and track personal growth and progress. This practice is simple but can be extremely transformative over the long term.
Celebrate the highlight of each day
One of our favourite practices is recording the highlight of each day. This not only teaches us to appreciate the often overlooked simple things but also creates a treasure trove of positive memories. Whether it’s a heartwarming conversation, a personal achievement or a kind deed from a stranger, chronicling our best moments helps us transcend the mundane.
The key to personal development can be found in our highlights; these snippets will reveal patterns of joy and progress.
Imagine flipping through the pages of your journal years from now, each entry holding a poignant reminder of precious moments. Life is a journey of progress and change; children grow, and loved ones may depart. That’s why our daily highlights transform into timeless treasures and profound legacies.
Connect with your true self through the transformative power of yoga
Each of us needs to spend quality time on ourselves. Whether through journaling or meditation, it all requires practice. The key lies in focusing and withdrawing from outer stimuli to discover your private inner space.
At Yoga For Good, we know journaling is an invaluable tool that promotes self-discovery. If this is new to you, start with just ten minutes a day. The number of insights you’ll gain will be surprising.
In a world rebounding from a global event, now is an opportune time for self-mastery and building confidence for the future – whatever it holds.
Connect with your true self on a regular basis by attending our free community classes.
For additional insights on journaling, as well as other valuable tools for self-connection, explore our Yoga For Good Foundation articles.
Community yoga classes
We are passionate about sharing the joy of practising yoga and offering you an opportunity to connect with your true self on a regular basis.
View previous classes or book now for our next class.
Free
Tue, 22 Oct, 9am - 10am PST
Yoga for Good Community Class with Amy Brooks
Join Amy for a trauma-informed gentle flow Community Class with a particular focus on noticing internal sensations and making choices.
Amy Brooks is a qualified social worker, mental health clinician and yoga facilitator certified in Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) based in the Shoalhaven, NSW. She has been practicing yoga for over a decade and passionately believes in its healing qualities for the mind and body, making it an effective adjunct therapy for mental health work. Amy completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Om Sweet Om Milton in 2022.
She is offering yoga classes to the community, combining her professional training and lived experience as a source of strength to guide others on their own journey towards recovery.
Free
9th November 2024 - 11:00am to 12:00pm
Suze Male - Transformative Yoga Community Class
Online Yoga Community Class Link
Join Suze from 42 Yoga for a transformative yoga class focused on balancing the sacral chakra, the centre of creativity and passion. She believes yoga is the key to body, mind wellness and healing. After practicing for many years and teacher training in Bali and India, she is using these skills with children’s and trauma-informed yoga.
Her new book, a yoga-for-kids adventure called Ursula the Roly Poly Unicorn, helps children develop strong self-esteem, through story and yoga as a positive and empowering tool.
In this class with gentle flows, breathwork and mindful practices, we will cultivate energy, release blockages, and ignite the creative spirit, as well as explore the profound connection between body, mind, and creative expression.
Free
22nd January 2025 - 12:00 to 1:00pm
Reetu Verma – Transformative Yoga Community Class
Online Yoga Community Class Link
Meeting ID: 859 1833 4994
Passcode: 171949
Join Reetu for an immersive meditation session into the depths of our energy centres. Nourish the systems of your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, ready for the year ahead. Be guided by her inspiring voice to relax into meditation and reconnect with and balance the subtle energies within.
Reetu Verma has 25 years of experience as an academic, teacher and coach, providing support, help and guidance to thousands of people from all walks of life from all over the globe.
During a traumatic near-death experience, she experienced pure light and pure love and embarked on a transformational, personal healing journey. Inspired and totally committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others, helping them on their healing journey to live a healthier, happier life.
She founded Healing, Health and Happiness to expanded her teachings of personal development, into finding life purpose and spiritual growth. Reetu has developed a systematic, practical approach to bring more harmony and a sense of joy into life.
Free
22nd October 2024 - 12:00 to 1:00pm, Tuesday
Amy Brooks – Trauma Informed Yoga Community Class
Online Yoga Community Class Link
Join Amy for a trauma-informed gentle flow Community Class with a particular focus on noticing internal sensations and making choices.
Amy Brooks is a qualified social worker, mental health clinician and yoga facilitator certified in Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) based in the Shoalhaven, NSW. She has been practicing yoga for over a decade and passionately believes in its healing qualities for the mind and body, making it an effective adjunct therapy for mental health work. Amy completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Om Sweet Om Milton in 2022.
She is offering yoga classes to the community, combining her professional training and lived experience as a source of strength to guide others on their own journey towards recovery.
Testimonials
Our sole mission is to create opportunities to do good for others through yoga.
And we’re making an impact.
A huge thank you to the Yoga For Good Foundation...
…for their incredible contribution to our Life Now Yoga and meditation programs!
This generous donation will mean we can buy new yoga equipment, run a new yoga class in Broome, and enhance our meditation program for cancer patients and their primary carers.
Cancer Council Western AustraliaSending out gratitude to the Yoga for Good Foundation.
Their grant is enabling me to offer FREE trauma informed therapeutic movement and relaxation to frontline mental health and social services staff in Bega.
Participants are really valuing the time out for themselves and experiencing integrated poly vagal theory. And I get to be in a teaching space, yay!
PremKranti CounsellingThe generous grant we've been awarded from the Yoga For Good Foundation...
…allows us to reach more underserved and vulnerable community groups who can benefit from a trauma-informed yoga and embodied mindfulness practice at zero cost to the participants.
Some of the community groups we’ll be serving in the current months include 000 Foundation, Men’s Walk and Talk and WAGEC.
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