MIND OVER MATTER - THE PLACEBO EFFECT
JULY 22ND, 2008: “ONE PERSON WITH A BELIEF IS EQUAL TO A FORCE OF 99 WHO HAVE ONLY INTEREST.” – JOHN STUART MILL
The theme for class was The Placebo Effect. This is when Scientists give either an experimental drug or a dummy pill to patients and see how they do. Frequently, those taking the fake feel similar effects to those taking the real drug. Scientists had previously assumed the placebo effect was psychological but recent findings now prove that BELIEF enables the mind to heal the body. Studies have proven that if the brain believes it has the ability to heal and overcome, it will take action. It’s when the brain gets bogged down in disbelief that disease triumphs. Science is discovering the truth behind MIND OVER MATTER something the ancient yogis have known for thousands of years!. Now the question is: how much do YOU believe you can free your mind and think your way to health and happiness?
Each pose is an opportunity to try this out for ourselves: so think your way steady to balancing on one leg, think yourself fearless to trying an inversion, believe yourself peaceful and calm. Ultimately, I hope the yoga helps you appreciate the unique gifts you have waiting to be shared with the world. You just have to believe you can achieve anything! Or as Joseph Campbell writes “IF YOU DO FOLLOW YOUR BLISS YOU PUT YOURSELF ON A KIND OF TRACK THAT HAS BEEN THERE ALL THE WHILE, WAITING FOR YOU, AND THE LIFE THAT YOU OUGHT TO BE LIVING IS THE ONE YOU ARE LIVING.”