We start to realize that these habitual complaints of the mind are what have been consistently getting in our way and holding us back; perhaps in relation to exercise, or perhaps in relation to other tasks or disciplines that we know are good for us but that we consistently don't do. This is because for so long we have let our habitual mind complaints dictate our actions. In the practice of yoga, it's actually perfect that these habitual complaints of the mind arise. Then we can practice letting them go. We can get good at letting them go. These complaints give us the opportunity to let go of some of those nasty and often debilitating habits of the mind that are getting in the way of us being who we want to be and living the life we want to live. In some poses, especially if you suffer from pain or injury, or if you haven't done much in the way of increasing flexibility, the mind may seem to be shouting as the pose challenges the bindings of the body that may be tight, restrictive, and/or painful. There are two things to keep in mind here. In relation to pain, you need to understand that those pain sensations are many times present to help you protect your body from injury, and that yoga is not about suffering through pain. Part of the yogic practice is defined by the ability to be aware of those sensations and then to discern when it is appropriate to back off from a pose to prevent injury. This is awareness with wisdom, which we want. In relation to a healthy but inflexible body, you should know that with increased awareness, the mind in relation to the body will grow quieter and kinder. The mind-muscle connection relaxes, and you start to witness tension melting into willingness. A healthy but inflexible or weak body that begins the practice of yoga will start to feel more spacious and strong. Because you practice being present each step of the way, you will have witnessed the transformation of your own body. This is Mindful Yoga.