In A Rut? by Lexie Wolf
The ancient yogis had a sophisticated understanding of the mind and the concept of neuroplasticity. Yoga provides guidance around exploring and questioning our thought patterns and behaviors. This is a transformative step toward change, if we’re ready for it. There are techniques and practices designed to rewire our minds and our nervous systems. They are powerful, if practiced consistently and with dedication.
In Yoga, there is a wonderful concept called “Samskaras”—those impressions or imprints left on us from past thoughts, life experiences, and cultural conditioning. Imagine them as seeds planted in the rich soil of our unconscious minds, sprouting into our belief systems. If the conditions are right, they can grow deep roots. A Samskara is often visualized as a groove or rut, representing the habits or traits that form our personalities. The yogis were describing something similar to neural pathways.
One uncomfortable Samskara I’ve long carried from my childhood is a belief that I’m not very intelligent. Despite some evidence to the contrary, this idea came to be part of my personal volume of ‘I’m not enough’ stories. I can see where and how this seed was planted. It was subtle! I did just fine in school but there were ways I was treated differently than my smart older brother around school and careers. Now I understand that some of that was because of gender. But it’s a deep groove and I still go back to it. Other Samskaras might become patterns of behavior. In their most extreme expression, Samskaras can become addictions.
Yoga provides us with practices that help us break free from our own limiting beliefs and behaviors. The physical practice - asana- can beautifully support the path to freedom. Most modes of modern psychology agree that there are ways we hold our emotions and thought patterns in our bodies. Working with the body and the breath, we can release some of it through mindful movement.
Ultimately, we aim to dissolve negative samskaras and reinforce positive ones. There’s a certain release that happens when we let go of tension in the body through yoga—a sense that we’re moving energy, emotion, and even those stuck patterns. Have you felt it? A little more spacious, open, and lighter after practicing? When you sense that spaciousness, fill it with something positive! Drive home from class listening to something uplifting or telling yourself how awesome you are (true story!)
Kundalini Yoga, especially, contains Kriyas – specific combinations of movement, breath, and sound - that are designed to shift energy and purify and cleanse the mind and body in different ways. It makes complete sense to me that Kundalini yoga has been found to be especially supportive for addiction recovery.
What are some of your Samskaras that you are aware of? Which ones have held you back, and which positive ones are you working to nurture and reinforce? Comment below if you feel called to join the conversation.
