Yoga’s Hidden Benefit,
Structuring the Unconscious

Yoga works on restructuring our bodies and our conscious minds, but I’ve been thinking
that yoga’s more profound and unexplored impact is in what psychologists’ call
the deep consciousness or the unconscious. That may be surprising to some, for
most writing about yoga does not treat the unconscious.

While our active American style dutifully focuses on posture improvement, meditation,
physical health benefits or some other aspect of self-improvement, a great deal
of psychological health and wisdom – the notion of the unconscious – is
overlooked.

Ever since Freud began exploring dreams at the turn of the 20th Century, most
people have accepted that the unconscious is a factor in behavior. One minor
testament to this thinking that everyone can grasp is the Freudian slip. That
is, when we unwittingly say something that we didn’t mean to say.

Some believe that those little ‘slips’ are really the truths of the unconscious trying to
make their way into our consciousness. You could almost say that a Freudian
slip is really a hidden personal truth.

If you believe this notion, then think about how your yoga instructor’s comments,
during your Savasana or during your practice, are taken in and stored deep down
in your consciousness. This is true whether your instructor’s comments are
uplifting or demeaning.

I believe one of the hidden benefits of a regular practice is how the affirmations and
encouragements in class are taken in and stored in the deep consciousness. It’s
almost as if you are filling up a well of positivity that will be arranging
your new beliefs and behavior even when you are not aware of it.

I’ve been thinking about this since a recent event.  A few weeks ago, I was involved in a verbal
confrontation where the other person swore at me (and two others), and raised
his voice and anger level to such a degree that he was actually shaking.

In the past, I think I would have felt a surge of adrenaline. I would have attempted to
defend myself. I would have felt angry and afraid. I would have reacted in a
way that probably would only exacerbate the outburst. But this time, it was
different.

I sat quietly and listened. I was aware of my feelings, but I did not react to them;
nor did I react to the words other than to ask a couple questions. In the
middle of confrontation, I let go of my need to defend.  Actually, I was surprised by my own sense of
equanimity in those moments.  In the days
that followed, I reflected upon what had happened.

In my training for Clinical Pastoral Education, we used to call this reflection on a
previous action, a ‘didactic’ session.  In these sessions, I met with colleagues and
we discussed our approach to a patient in a hospital setting. I always came
away with new and important insights thinking through my behavior during emotionally
charged events.

This time,
my reflection lead me to believe that my yoga sessions have worked on my unconscious
to such a strong degree that my behavior is literally changing (behind and
within) me. I think this work of yoga on the unconscious could be a brave new
world in yoga study.

Carl Jung is famous for having stated repeatedly that the unconscious really is unconscious.
That’s why Jung studied the dream life. But we can be aware of how our behavior
is changing and how our practice might contribute to a new man/woman.

I attend a hot yoga studio in Kona, Hawaii. I believe my instructor works powerfully on
my unconscious. I have no idea whether or not he is aware of it, because we have
not talked about this.

Frequently though, during Savasana or within the
practice, my teacher will provide affirmations. These verbal affirmations, when
repeated over and over, sink deeply into the conscious and unconscious of each
and every yogi and yogini.

I believe the effect of these affirmations, through my consistent practice, is literally
changing my unconscious structure. The evidence for me was in that conflict
situation, yet there are also other clues.

Here are
some of the affirmations my teacher uses. Think of the effect these statements
might have upon you. Think of lying on your mat in complete relaxation while
hearing these statements over and over.

They sink in, they dive deep into your psyche, they change the content of your unconscious
and that translates, I believe, into a changed waking behavior.

You are strong, you are powerful, and you are limitless

            Let it go

            You lack nothing

            You are worth it

            Invest in yourself

            Believe in yourself

            You are doing a smart thing

            Health is wealth

            Only you can change you

            You are looking at your best friend in the mirror

           Be gentle with yourself

            Let go of all that does not serve you

            Nobody can give you this gift but you

            Be at-ease, not dis-ease

            Smile – smiling makes you smarter

            Change your thinking

            Train your mind, command your will, and strengthen your body

I must go now. It’s time to work on my posture … and my unconscious.