We often feel silly smiling
or laughing on our own. But isn’t it interesting that we don’t feel as
self-conscious about frowning, scowling or wearing other “down”
expressions, whether or not we are alone? Which kind of expression do you
think has the power to shift our energy positively and help us feel
better?
If you read the book or watched the movie Eat, Pray, Love,
you probably remember Ketut, the guru Elizabeth Gilbert worked with
during her stay in Bali. You might also remember that he suggested she’d
practice one hour of “smile yoga” on a daily basis, to help balance the
more serious Indian-style meditation. “Smile in your liver,” he said.
That’s a fitting recommendation, considering that the liver is
associated with anger in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and plays a big
part in detoxing our body.
Sadhguru, a well-known Indian yogi,
mystic and author, has a similar prescription for starting your day well
or shifting your mood from bad to good: Smile! Find that joyful child
within you and smile the minute you get out of bed. Keep wearing that
smile as you go through your morning routine. Smile even if you can’t
connect with your inner child at that moment. Smile when things work
out... or don’t! Smile just for the heck of it. Sustain it for as long
as you can; chances are, you’ll be able to hold it for a longer period
of time every day. This simple, silly exercise will change your life...
and positively touch the lives of many others around you.
Gisele Marasca-Vargas; 09/28/23
Photo by Senjuti Kundu on Unsplash
