The first step is mindfulness. If you don’t even know what your thoughts are and how they color your mood, your beliefs about yourself and the world, and therefore how you live, how can you make any changes?

Remember: whether it is your yoga practice, therapy, healing chronic illness, spiritual study, etc. - the point is to live happier and healthier lives. If all you are doing is the ‘work’, you are missing the point. 

Abhyāsa + Vairāgya: Our effort must be paired with our non-attachment. We must consistency put forth our work, and then let go of the outcome.