Why our promise is Kind Heart - Kind Words - Kind Thoughts
Part of the Yoginis Yoga Training mission is to spread kindness. Why did we choose kindness out of all the other attributes available? Because kindness is the secret to happiness. Kindness is the vein that runs through everything we produce as a business and is even the acronym of the values we use when designing and delivering our courses.
Giving and receiving kindness has significant physical effects on the body. It is a demonstration of the mind body connection. When our mind is focussed on kindness, physical changes occur in the body. Hormones are released which cause feelings of love, happiness and well being in the same way as stressful experiences release hormones which manifest as bodily discomforts. Kindness is physiologically opposite to stress.
The hormones released by kindness are:
Oxytocin (love hormone) - plays a role in forming social bonds, building better selves and better communities
Dopamine (pleasure hormone)- a neurotransmitter that gives you the feeling of good and satisfaction or otherwise known as the helper high
Serotonin (happy hormone)- a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood
The hormones released by stress are:
Adrenaline (fight or flight hormone) - released by the adrenal glands in response to perceived threat to allow the body to escape
Cortisol (the stress hormone) - released to maintain fluid balance and blood pressure, chronic elevated levels caused by stewing on problems suppress the immune system, increase blood pressure and sugar
Norepinephrine (arousal hormone) - works with adrenaline to heighten the senses, blood is moved from less crucial areas like the skin to more crucial areas like the muscles to flee
Kindness can reward our bodies and minds with feel-good chemical substances, however the effect isn’t lasting. Acts of kindness have to be repeated because we can't live on a 3-4 minute oxytocin boost that comes with a single act. This is why kindness has to be something we practice daily. Children are great imitators and are constantly watching those around them, children are always watching and adults are always teaching. If we have traits of kindness to self and others with practice and repetition our children will follow. What a wonderful trait to pass on to our children , this can only lead onto healthy, happy, content children who will become the adults of the future.
At Yoginis we have put together kindness challenge packs for all ages ranging from 2 years up to and including adults to get your kindness practice started. Please let us know how you get on by posting a photo of your certificate when you have achieved your kindness goals on social media @yoginisyoga with #thegreatkindnesschallengeuk
#thegreatkindnesschallengeuk #kindness #happy #childrensyoga #yogainschools #yogainnursery