‘Yoga is not about touching your toes. It’s about unlocking your ideas about what you want, where you think you can go and how you will achieve when you get there.’ – Cyndi Lee
Yoga is a combination of physical, mental and spiritual disciplines and is known for its numerous health benefits. Although it has its origins in ancient India, it has spread all over the world and is practised by individuals aiming for a healthy life.
Whether you practise yoga or not, you may be pleasantly surprised to know that you can apply the principles of yoga to your financial life as well.
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You probably already know that Yoga encourages flexibility, balance and mindfulness. However, it isn’t just about attaining physical fitness, but also about achieving one’s peace of mind. After reading this article, you may gain a new perspective about Yoga as well as your finances. Read on to find out more.
Be Prepared
One of the most important things that you will learn while practising Yoga is the importance of preparation. If you have ever attended a Yoga class, you will know that the Yoga instructor teaches you and your body to prepare for what’s happening and what’s about to come.
Yoga instructors worldwide use the technique of preparing the body for the next day’s asanas (postures). Whether it’s your hips, shoulder muscles or calf muscles, instructors make sure they are flexed in advance in order to avoid injuring the body. While practising yoga, it’s extremely important to prepare your body to avoid occurrence of severe injuries, which could last for a substantial period of time.
The same logic applies to your finances as well. If you want your financial health to show signs of improvement, you need to prepare and plan in advance. Have you set any short-term or long-term financial goals? Well, you better get started. You need to chalk out a plan on how you can achieve them as well.
So just like practising Yoga will help you lead a healthier life, being prepared for your financial goals will help you lead a healthier financial life as well.
Additional Reading: How To Set New Fitness Goals: For Yourself And Your Bank Account
Balance Matters
Balance is extremely essential while practicing Yoga. Based on which asana you are practicing, you have to balance your body differently. It’s a lot about your posture. Many times you may have to balance standing on your toes or sometimes with one leg raised in the air. Each time you try a new posture, you are expected to do something differently in order to strike the right balance. Sometimes you may just have to stretch more in order to deal with challenging poses. Getting this done without trembling is quite an art. And once you master that art, you are well on your way towards achieving peak metal and physical wellness.
Similarly, it is extremely important to get the right balance as far as your finances are concerned. Of course, everybody wants more money, but the only way you will make more money is by learning to manage your finances, even if your income isn’t anything to particularly write home about.
Always question yourself about your spending habits, even if you are in a financially better place now than you were before. If you were to earn more, how would you use the extra income? By asking yourself these questions and answering them honestly, you will be enroute towards achieving balance in your financial life, thereby bringing you closer to your financial goals.
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Prioritise Self-Care
There are numerous reasons why people start practicing Yoga. Some do it to get fitter, to lose weight or to just attain peace of mind. However, most people practice Yoga because it teaches them self-care.
Once you start caring more about yourself, you will naturally start caring about your finances. Wondering how the two are related? Well, if you are financially healthy, you will be happy more often than not. So, if you prioritise self-care, you will learn to stay debt-free and handle your finances better.
Imagine a life where you don’t always have to worry about waiting for your payday so that you can just clear the minimum due on your Credit Card? Imagine living a life where you don’t carry Credit Card debt at all. Sounds peaceful, right? Once you start practicing self-care, you will start practicing a financially healthy lifestyle.
Additional Reading: Why Paying Only The Minimum Due On Credit Cards Is A Bad Idea
Flexibility Is Important
If you don’t practice Yoga, but know someone who does, you ought to compare your flexibility level with theirs. The one practicing Yoga will win hands down. Maybe when you initially start learning Yoga, your body won’t be that flexible. However, with time, your body will start getting more flexible with each passing day. And once your body is fully flexible, you will be amazed at what you could do with it.
The same logic applies for your finances too. You have to learn to be flexible with your finances. The more flexible you are with your finances, the healthier your financial life will be.
What is financial flexibility, you ask? Basically, flexibility with your finances is about rotating your money from one need to another without hurting your financial health. Once you are immensely flexible with your finances, your financial health will be strengthened.
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Mindfulness Takes You A Step Closer To Your Goals
Staying aware about your body and its surroundings is extremely important in Yoga. Yoga place emphasis on being aware of the present and paying attention to your body while attempting complicated yoga postures. The point of this mindfulness is to remain in the present even if there are numerous pressing issues around you. It helps you focus better. It helps you control your mind rather than letting it control you.
Being mindful about your financial life too will help you achieve several milestones. If you consciously learn to be aware of the present and stick to a budget that best suits you at that moment, you will start managing your finances much better. Mindfulness will help you to save more and invest better.
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Hopefully, this will give you a better perspective on Yoga and your finances. After all, a sound body leads to a sound mind.
If you are looking for schemes to invest in to lead a good financial life, you have landed on the right page. Go ahead and explore your options!