What is Self Mastery? -  Pt1

Self Mastery, alone, sounds like a selfish term; but if you cannot help yourself, you will have limited ability to help others. Self mastery is the ability to make the most out of your physical, mental, and spiritual health. In other words, to be the best you can be.

As a result of your efforts, you will be able to help everyone around you. In order for you to change the world around you, for the better, you have to change yourself for the better, along the way.

You cannot sit on a mountain top waiting for perfection before you help your fellow man. The time to help is now, and we must look at ourselves as works in progress. Appreciate yourself for who you are, what you are, and what you have accomplished so far.

Appreciate your friends, family, and associates for who they are. Accept them, as they are, without expecting perfection. This is a common mistake for parents to make with their children, but it also happens in a variety of relationships. So, let go of demands on others - especially unrealistic demands.

Where do we start learning the secrets of self mastery? If you accept things around you, without demand, you already have taken the first step. There are two important factors here.

1. Once you accept people, and situations, for what they are, you won't waste time and energy with frustration. This causes inner frustration, emotional turmoil, worries, and depression.

2. Once you change yourself, through positive self mastery, the world around you will change for the better, without much effort on your part.

You will not be able to make all of the changes to mind, body, and spirit, at once, but they are connected.

The first large component is physical. Your body needs constant maintenance in a variety of methods: weight resistance, flexibility, and cardio-vascular strength, require you to cross train. So, if you have been on the couch too long, it is time to get off. This one physical change, of daily exercise, will help you in all aspects of life. You will feel better about yourself.

If you don't have enough time for three types of exercise - practice at least one that will give you maximum benefits. Hatha Yoga, swimming, and martial arts are good recommendations, as each of them cross trains the body with fair variety.

In many Yoga classes, Sun Salutations are a series of postures - and the ultimate cross training exercise. Once you are familiar with them, you can practice at home. They require very little space and no equipment, although many Yoga practitioners do use a Yoga mat, or sticky mat, at home.


Part 2
To continue with our overview of the physical component of self mastery, it goes without saying that walking is a valuable aerobic exercise - but you have options. You can use a bicycle for nice days, or use indoor aerobic exercise equipment for use on inclement weather days.

My personal favorite is the elliptical trainer. Elliptical trainers allow you to cross train - they are very low impact exercise equipment - you use upper and lower body - and they don't cause excessive wear in your joints. Elliptical trainers provide a weight bearing workout that tones muscle, adds to bone density, and burns more calories than an exercise bike.

Some of my clients have literally shed weight away with regular use of an elliptical trainer, Yoga classes, and a moderate diet. That leads into the next aspect of physical health: your diet.

Diet has to be moderate and something you can live with. If your diet causes you to be depressed, you can't stick with it, due to your mental health. However, that doesn't justify a "junk food" diet.

So where do you start? Look at your diet now and make moderate adjustments. Don't get pulled into a "fad diet" that insults your intelligence and causes rapid weight loss. Most clients gain all that weight back, and then some, after they get off the quick fix diet. Hence the nickname, "yo-yo diets", is a suitable label.

Yoga does have diet plans, and eating in moderation is a key factor. Eating affects mental, physical, and spiritual health. Sometimes the motivation for excessive eating is not due to hunger at all. Food is used to replace an empty feeling, and eating becomes an emotional response, resulting in health problems, due to over consumption of food.

Therefore, eating should be restricted to balanced, nutritionally dense, and moderate meals. You should consider your immune system, daily nutritional requirements, and sustaining strength while consuming meals and drinks throughout the day.

Personal hygiene is another area to consider. Yoga has cleansing practices (Kriyas or Shatkarmas), that would not be entirely accepted in the West. However, suffice to say, that you should keep your orifices clean, brush your teeth and tongue, floss, drink a lot of pure water, monitor your skin, and listen to your body. A little prevention goes a long way in regard to your health.

Yoga also teaches you how to breathe fully from the bottom of the lungs. There are many Yoga breathing techniques called, "pranayama." The best result from this practice is to get more oxygen into your blood, and proper breathing can make you feel more energetic.

The last point to bring up about your physical health is that you should be taking a daily multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. Choose one of good quality and research your choice. Choose an appropriate supplement for your age and gender.


Part 3
The next large component of self-mastery is mental health, and this is much trickier than physical health, due to many pitfalls that affect the mind along the way. The list of reasons why people fall prey to mental illness is so long; it could fill a large book.

Anyone can get a mental illness, as it crosses every social and economic boundary that exists. Some mental illnesses, such as Schizophrenia, seem to have marginal genetic factors, in that, it can "run in families," but studies don't indicate why this occurs.

On the other hand, Schizophrenia sometimes seems to be brought on by conditions around us ? for example: the loss of a loved one and poverty. Therefore, let's look at some methods for optimum mental health and prevention of mental illness.

Exercise helps your mind relax and deal with life's daily stress. Exactly why this happens is not yet fully understood, but it does increase endorphin production, which makes you feel good. This does not make exercise the answer to all problems, but it is a factor in good mental health. When choosing exercise, pick something that you enjoy. Although, I would personally recommend Yoga first, that does not mean it will be an ideal exercise for you.

Allow for social time with family and friends. No matter how busy you get, you should set aside quality time socializing. Just make sure that the bulk of this time is spent with positive influences.

Laughter also releases endorphins, so watch a comedy, read a funny story, or enjoy the company of people who have a harmless sense of humor. This will enable you to make the most out of life, and it will boost your immune system as a bonus.

Meditation is a focused "mind exercise" and very good for keeping priorities in order. There are a number of materials available for meditation, and most Yoga classes have meditation, or relaxation, as a typical part of the class.

Learn when to say, "No." Do not accept burdens or problems that you cannot handle. You do not always have to feel obligated to everyone who has a problem. Also, related to this, you should state when you need help. You can prevent a lot of "headaches," just by asking for help.

Practice deep breathing everyday. This is great for your body, but also good for your mind. The relaxation and extra oxygen will give your brain a little break. You can get proper instruction on breathing techniques in any Yoga class.

Part 4
Now, let's cover the last component of self-mastery, which is spiritual health. Sometimes, the discussion of spiritual health is considered "politically incorrect." This is a shame, because we want to live life to the fullest and cannot ignore our spiritual side.

It is also interesting how many people try to improve their spiritual health when they have a near death experience, are diagnosed as terminally ill, or hit "rock bottom." In each of these instances, we can suddenly connect with the concepts of a moral code, after life, God, or "putting things right."

Whatever your situation, take the time to reconnect to your inner self and seek spiritual guidance for the sake of your overall health, family, and relationships. It doesn't matter to me which religion you choose, as long as you feel, in your heart, that it is right for you. Religion should not be a dividing point for mankind, so stay away from intolerant fundamentalists.

Which brings up the act of forgiveness, which, in and of itself, is good for spiritual, mental, and physical health. Just by reconciling with our family, friends, and associates, we stop wasting energy and improve our overall health.

Practice random loving kindness with your fellow man. Help others and don't expect anything in return. Give to charity for the reason that it is right to help mankind.

Appreciate what you have and see it for its true worth. Your past accomplishments are to be enjoyed, and not to be put aside. When you help someone, get through a difficult situation that is also an accomplishment. You don't have to speak about what you accomplished, but knowing that you have taken the time to be kind is satisfaction, in itself.

See wealth for what it is. If your family and friends love you, that is a priceless treasure. You do not have to be rich in order to be happy. Most of the rich are less happy than you and I. Imagine having the recognition of people around you, for no other reason than money.

The last point to make, about material wealth, is that we are only temporary custodians of money. If possible, spend it wisely, help others, and leave something behind for the next generation. If you have no money to leave behind, at least, leave good thoughts.

Mindfulness allows us to peacefully live in the present moment and concern ourselves with the now. You will stop wasting time, feeling anguish about past shortcomings, as a result of mindfulness. You will also stop wasting your energy, by worrying about situations that may not happen in the future.

Most of what we worry about never happens, but the mind never stops creating negative thoughts, even when we sleep. Take the time to be mindful and listen to the world empathically. You will then know who, or what, you can help first.

Make peace with your inner self by learn to accept yourself "as is," and do not make it conditional. If you need to make improvements, to yourself, you are not alone. Take the time to enjoy each day, as if it was your last day on earth.

Set aside time to pray or meditate daily. This will enable you to open a spiritual connection with your God or the universe. Prayer is a form of meditation and meditation is a form of prayer. If you take the time to pray, you will be heard and don't be surprised, if you get help.

As a result of these physical, mental, and spiritual exercises you achieve self-mastery. Just don't forget to help others along the way. You don't have to be a "master of your own destiny" to help mankind.


Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html