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i wondered if you have ever noticed how different poses are when you smile? this might be stating the obvious, but to me it was amazing! our class is an hour and a half right, and as normal I'm onto my breathing and just getting into it. then she says 'now bring a gentle smile to your lips and see if you notice the difference'. it was amazing. just doing that small thing really made a difference. my whole body felt lighter, happier. weird totally wired, and awesome .

I noticed that too.... once my teacher pointed out that I didn't look very happy during class... now my #1 thing (well, tied for #1 with breath control) is keeping a happy, relaxed look on my face.

and I've found that it spreads to my whole body!

Yeh I have noticed this!! Sometimes when we are at the end of the class in meditation we're asked to put a gentle smile on our face and notice any changes. It always amazes me how much of a difference it makes, as I usually forget to do it. Thanks for reminding me.

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Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind - so switch your phone off!

that reminds me of sometimes I learned in sales classes in college - smile when you're on the phone - people can hear it!

yikes, phone sales. i lasted a week.

apparently people can also hear when you stick on a smile.

oh yeh, you can totally hear when someone is being genuine or not on the phone. It's an energetic feeling - very weird (and cool) that you can pick it up even if they're not sitting in front of you, but you can! We are sensitive human transmitters, there is no doubt about it. My bullsh** radar is pretty honed too!!

One of the teachers in the gym i go to takes smiling and happiness during the practice VERY serious

Me being me, and not the most co-ordinated....or fit person in the world was showing a somewhat strained face while doing some poses early on Tuesday morning.
The teacher obviously decided that I was in need of assistance to find my inner happiness and suggested that the whole class should remain in Chatarunga (I know the spelling is wrong) until I found my smile and happiness.

I found it real damn quick

Such a kind soul

Still I did enjoy the class a lot, and will look at doing more of his....just going to try to find a dark corner and remember to wear dark clothes for it

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Oh Dear......You really think i can get myself into that pose.........and then back out of it?

Novice I love the idea of your teacher taking smiles seriously, particularly giving you assistance to find your inner happiness, (aw shuks, thanks A LOT).

Although how anyone can smile in chaduranga (sp) is beyond me. Jen I tried smiling while meditating and it worked for me too. Thanks for sharing this! So simple, but so effective.

I read this post with interest and then tried it in class. Even though I didn't feel like it (I was in a bit of a grumpy mood) I just turned up the corners of my mouth and you know, it sounds funny but I did feel slightly better. So how does it work I wonder?

I think there's a good chance that our brains really are simply dumb enough to think that we must be happy if we're smiling!

same reason they put laugh tracks on TV shows. if there's smiling faces there must be happiness!