Guest Author - Jen Blackert

We learn from yoga to look at life on the mat at a micro-life. The way we deal with situations on the mat is similar to how we deal with them off the mat.

Here are six yoga "off the mat" tips for feeling in the flow (the flow of life).

Tip #1 Understand Your Emotions
Understand that your negative feelings of anger, betrayal, and/or self-doubt are simply just emotions to a usually over exaggerated events. An event that you attracted into your life. Stop taking things personally on and off the mat. If you can't touch your toes that fine -- that's you! You just do your best! That is the same in life -- UNDERSTAND where you are and just do your best.

Tip #2 Compassion For Yourself
Love yourself. Accept yourself. Take 100% responsibility for your thoughts, emotions and actions.

Tip #3 Perspective
How do you see things? Are things always positive? Are you getting angry at your yoga teacher? What's your view of life on and off the mat?

Tip #4 Truth
When you speak to your honest truth, you empower yourself. State the facts and then consider the next appropriate steps.

Tip #5 Boundaries with Yourself & Others
Make big boundaries! People respect people with defined personal boundaries. If someone is saying or doing something that bothers you, don’t hold it in. Let it go by putting your boundaries into action.

I like to set boundaries with these four step.

Inform: Inform the person what bothered you without anger. Start with “I want you to know that…” They may not even be aware of what they did.

Request: “I request that … ”

Demand: “I insist that you … ”You can add consequences. “I insist that you stop or I will no longer coach you.”

Leave: Stop associating with them. Leave the room. Put the child in time out. Leave either temporarily or permanently

Tip #6 Forgive Yourself and Everyone Else
Forgive all your past mistakes and leave them in the past so you can start fresh, without the baggage! Forgive everyone that has ever hurt you. Let your past go!

I hope this gives you some insight to being in the flow.