Yoga Every Day
Calm the Monkey Mind

S6:Ep23

19 mins

TV-G Teacher: Steph Schwartz

Learn how to calm the monkey mind on Yoga Every Day. Steph Schwartz guides a Hatha practice using breathwork to quiet restless thoughts and restore focus.

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How can we calm the monkey mind when daily distractions pull our attention in every direction? In Season 6, Episode 23 of Yoga Every Day, instructor Steph Schwartz offers a practical pathway to mental stillness.

This 20-minute hatha yoga morning practice is designed specifically for quieting the monkey mind and cultivating deep inner stillness. In our modern, fast-paced world, the mind often behaves like a restless monkey, leaping from one thought to another without pause, which can leave us feeling scattered and exhausted before the day even begins. By combining intentional physical postures with conscious breathwork, this mindfulness yoga practice serves as an accessible tool for calming a restless mind. You will learn to move prana, or life-force energy, into areas of physical and mental stagnation, releasing the deep-seated tension that feeds mental chatter and physical discomfort.

Hatha yoga is uniquely suited for this work, as its deliberate pace allows you to fully inhabit each posture and connect with your physical form. By holding poses and focusing on the breath, you create a stable foundation that naturally draws your attention inward, away from external distractions. This Steph Schwartz yoga session provides an embodied approach to mental clarity, helping you transition from early morning chaos into a state of grounded awareness. Rather than fighting your thoughts, this practice invites you to observe them with compassion, using the physical body as an anchor for the present moment.

Connecting with the subtle body layers allows us to access a deeper state of consciousness beyond the surface-level thoughts of the everyday mind. As you move through this sequence, you will begin to feel the subtle shifts in your energetic body, bridging the gap between physical alignment and mental tranquility. This holistic approach ensures that you leave the mat feeling both physically refreshed and mentally centered.

Cultivating Mental Clarity Through Movement

Conscious Breathwork: Use targeted breathing techniques to direct life-force energy (prana) into stagnant areas of the body, helping to release physical tension and quiet mental chatter.
Focused Hatha Movement: Engage in a deliberate 20-minute sequence designed to build physical stability, improve alignment, and support yoga for focus and concentration.
Subtle Body Connection: Quiet the constant chatter of the everyday mind to establish a deeper, more intuitive connection with your subtle energetic layers.

Begin your exploration today on Gaia and experience the grounding benefits of a dedicated morning yoga for mental clarity.

Teacher: Steph Schwartz

Audio Languages: English

Subtitles: English

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to have a monkey mind?

The term monkey mind refers to a state of restlessness, confusion, or indecision where thoughts jump rapidly from one thing to another. In yoga philosophy, this constant mental chatter can distract us from the present moment and create inner anxiety. Recognizing this pattern is the first step toward cultivating a more peaceful, focused state of awareness.

How do you calm a monkey mind in yoga?

To calm the monkey mind during practice, yogis use a combination of conscious breathwork (pranayama) and mindful physical movement. By focusing your attention on the sensation of the breath and the alignment of the body, you give the restless mind a single point of focus. Over time, this practice helps quiet internal distractions and restores mental clarity.

What yoga poses help quiet the mind?

Grounding postures such as forward folds, child's pose, and gentle standing balances are highly effective for quieting a restless mind. These poses encourage inward focus and help soothe the nervous system by drawing energy down toward the earth. Practicing these movements mindfully allows you to release physical tension and settle mental chatter.

How can I stop my mind from racing in the morning?

Establishing a hatha yoga morning practice is an excellent way to ground your energy before the day's demands begin. Spending just 20 minutes on your mat with Steph Schwartz on Gaia can help channel your life-force energy and set a calm, focused tone. This intentional start prevents the mind from racing and supports lasting focus throughout the day.