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Burned out people aren’t equipped to save a burning planet. —Susi Moser
I recently caught up with our retreat partner founder Elana Robertson at foundher. It’s always a highly energised and insightful catch up where we discuss all topics on …well you know, saving the world of course!
On this particular occasion, we spoke at length on a certain topic:
‘To improve and sustain this world, we need to begin by improving its people in a sustainable way.'
It’s the ‘how’ that gets both Elana and I excited. At ZONE by Lydia, we believe that regular practice of yoga, mindfulness and high-performance techniques help develop invaluable inner qualities that enhance our ability to stay present to what is, build resilience to navigate what life can throw your way and support you to thrive in a modern world.
We also deeply believe that in order to disrupt old habits such as disposable or unsustainable products, we must lead by showing the vast (and superior) options to consumers who now demand better quality sustainable options. At ZONE by Lydia we consciously do this through our eco-friendly cork yoga mats, yoga props, hemp clothing and Australian essential oils and sprays.
At foundher, Elana believes that to thrive in new landscapes, we need a new leadership toolkit fit for change in our faster paced connected world.
Elana guides clients to evolve capacity and impact through the Ripple Effect Framework™, which is a toolkit that enables you to catalyse your greatest impact by building leadership muscles such as self-awareness and more strategic forms of mind which then enable you to unlock greater capabilities, increase productivity and release self-confidence and courage.
The flow-on impacts from the Ripple Effect Framework™ are transformation, endless possibilities and potent results that impact the world will become your new normal; and sustainable as a way of being.
So Let’s Go Back To Changing The World
In 2015, all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
We are now at the mid-way point towards 2030 and the 2023 progress report reveals we have lost momentum and are significantly off track in reaching the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
Research indicates that achieving these goals requires more than just external actions and policies. It also requires inner development on an individual level and a probable reason for why we are off track in reaching the SDG’s is because we humans lack the inner capacity to deal with our increasingly complex environment and challenges.
Change the Individual and Change the World
Fortunately, our inner capacity – just like our muscles and physical fitness, can be developed. As our conversation progressed, Elana introduced me to the 'Inner Development Goals' initiative (IDG’s). The IDG’s show what inner shifts or human growth that needs to happen in order for us to increase our chances of reaching the Sustainable Development Goals collectively. These Inner Development Goals are high in focus at Elana’s ResetYOU retreat and are now the cornerstone of her new SustainHER retreat which is now in beta.
The Inner Development Goals cover 23 skills that are divided into 5 categories.
How the practice of yoga helps achieve our Inner Development Goals?
Yoga is an ancient practice that has been used to achieve inner development goals for thousands of years. It is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline that originated in ancient India and has been practiced by people all over the world for its many benefits to mind, body and spirit.
The first two limbs of yoga Yamas and Niyamas are an ancient guide to internal and external ethics which, if practiced, can directly help us in achieving Inner Development Goals. The ultimate in practicing presence and deeply understanding our connectedness
Take pause here, and immerse and refresh yourself in wisdom of this ancient practice.
Yamas
- Ahimsa (Non-violence): Treating people and all living things with kindness, respect and compassion.
- Sataya (Truthfulness): Speaking honestly without deception or misrepresentation.
- Asteya (non-stealing): Do not steal or take anything that does not rightfully belong to you.
- Brahmacharya (Moderation): The practice of self restraint, moderation and discipline towards physical, mental, sexual and spiritual activities.
- Aparigraha (non-attachment): Letting go of the idea of ownership, accepting whatever comes our way, being grateful for the moment instead of longing for something else in the future or having regret over something from the past.
Niyamas
- Saucha (Purity): Cleanliness and purity that includes physical cleanliness as well as psychological and spiritual hygiene; controlling one's thoughts and emotions in order to maintain balance and harmony.
- Santosha (Contentment): The practice of contentment and acceptance, which involves finding peace in one's current situation and cultivating gratitude for life's gifts. Practice gratitude and find joy in being alive.
- Tapas (Discipline): The practice of self-discipline and dedication towards spiritual ideals and practices such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness. This commitment to regular and consistent practice may at times be uncomfortable, but ultimately will cultivate peace, self-awareness and inner strength.
- Svadhyaya (Self Study): The practice of self study and refection. It involves studying spiritual texts, reflecting on one's own thoughts, feelings, beliefs and motivations in order to uncover deeper truths about oneself and our connection to the universe.
- Isvara Pranidhana (Surrendering to the Divine): Surrendering to a higher power, seeing ourselves as part of a larger universe and trusting that everything happens for reason even if we don't always understand why.
Yoga is a journey of self-discovery. It allows us to explore our innermost thoughts and feelings, and discover our true selves. Through regular practice, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. This ancient practice, including yamas and niyamas complement the modern Inner Development Goals Framework. Yoga is a gift that keeps giving and the benefits of yoga are endless.
Yoga Helps with Self-Awareness
Yoga helps us become more self-aware by allowing us to focus on our breath, body, and mind. It helps us tune in to our thoughts and feelings, and become more mindful of our actions. Through regular practice, we can learn to recognise our patterns of behaviour and make positive changes in our lives.
Yoga Helps with Stress Reduction
Stress can negatively impact our mental and physical health. Practicing yoga can help reduce stress levels by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. Yoga poses, such as forward bends and inversions, can help calm the mind and promote relaxation.
Yoga Helps with Emotional Regulation
Yoga can help individuals regulate their emotions by teaching them how to respond to situations in a calm and controlled manner. Through the practice of yoga, individuals learn breathing techniques that can help them remain calm and centred in stressful situations.
Yoga Develops Self Confidence
Yoga helps us develop self-confidence by improving our physical and mental strength. As we progress in our practice, we become more confident in our abilities and more comfortable in our own skin. This newfound confidence can translate into all areas of our lives, from work to relationships.
Yoga Helps us Stay Present and Improve Concentration
Yoga requires concentration and focus, which can help improve our ability to concentrate in other areas of our lives. Practicing yoga regularly can help improve cognitive function, memory, and focus. By providing us with a physical challenge, it gives us an opportunity to practice staying present and concentrating on the task at hand. This can be especially beneficial for those who struggle with distractibility or difficulty focusing. With regular practice, we can learn to stay in the present moment and maintain our focus no matter what life throws at us.
Yoga Helps with Spiritual Growth
Yoga is often associated with spiritual growth and development. The practice of yoga can help individuals connect with their inner selves and develop a deeper sense of purpose and meaning in life. Through meditation and other yoga practices, individuals can gain a greater understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
Here’s how your Inner Development is Within Your Reach
Combining the ancient practices of Yoga with modern leadership frameworks that are designed so humans can show up and change the world is both potent and powerful for transforming both your BEING and DOING mode.
And so this is the very reason we’ve partnered with foundher for their annual Reset YOU retreat - bringing together a truly game-changing experience , one that does good, feels good and is sustainable.
We are a proud partner of Foundher retreats where you will find ZONE yoga gear on display and in goodie bags. Use RESETYOU10 for 10% off the ResetYOU retreat - There are only a couple of King Suites remaining for the October 2023 Byron Bay retreat!
Elana Robertson working with women to unlock powerful tools for achieving the IDG's and incorporating yoga into our daily lives using thoughtful sustainable products.
