The key teaching is a practice based on Raja Yoga incorporating the active approach of pratipaksha bhavana in order to control the mind.

The active approach practice of pratipaksha bhavana is a 2-3 minute practice of controlling the mind by replacing a negative thought with a positive thought through-out the day as needed. Meet after one week of practice to discuss its effect, if any, and determine whether to discontinue, continue or expand on this practice.

Female, 42 years old, three years of yoga practicing. Client would like to decrease her negative thoughts in order to retain her peace of mind.

We discuss the effects of negative thoughts and why we want to get rid of them (Manual, page 22).
We discuss maintaining a mood/motivation scale from 1-10.
Client assigns a number to the mood/motivation scale.
We begin with 2-5 centering, deep breathing and a mantra on inhale positive thoughts/exhale negative thoughts.
Client provides feedback on practice and provides rating on mood/motivation scale.
Discuss ways to promote positive thinking.
Collaborate on an extended practice.

Raja – replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts to improve mood.
Hatha – Pranayama to energize and motivate.
Japa – mantra is simultaneous with the breath/inhaling and inviting the positive and exhaling and letting go of the negative to create a positive attitude.

Client discussed lack of motivation along with negative thoughts.
Client enjoyed the centering, deep breathing and mantra practice session and feels this is something they can do daily for 2-3 minutes, each morning for one week.
We discussed the best possible way to control the mind and obstruct those unwanted negative thoughts, in accordance with Sri Swami Satchidananda’s translation and commentary of Sutra 2.33 in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, is to think of opposite (positive) thoughts when a negative one arises.
We discussed ideas to develop a positive attitude (Sonal D. Parmar – Positive Thinking Can Change Our Life).
Client discussed some of the sources that bring on the negative thoughts and ideas on how to reduce them ex. negative co-workers, social media and the news. One way client may turn a co-worker’s negative conversation to a positive is to invite the co-worker to

Client is agreeable to a 2-3 minute centering/deep breathing/mantra practice, each morning x 1 week and journal mood/motivation scale and reflect on source of negative thought, if any.

Yes, the client expressed how they became aware of the negative thoughts and we able to pause and replace with a positive thought of their choosing or simply saying to themselves “not now”. They felt the journaling held them accountable to the practice and gave them insight on the inputs that were creating these negative thoughts. Client stated they did feel their mood and motivation improved.

Yes, I had not been aware of the client’s lack of motivation prior to our meeting. I had originally planned Naadi Suddhi but replaced it with Deergha Swaasam (Deep Breathing) to “supercharge the system with seven times as much oxygen and prana as in a normal breath” (Manual, page 90) to address the client’s concern of lack of motivation.

Yes, this practice is safe for anyone.
Receiving feedback from the client on ways they can improve their thought pattern, on how to deal with sources of negative thoughts by either avoiding new and social media and inviting negative people to speak about things that are joyful to them.
I would switch the breathing technique to Naadi Suddhi to balance and harmonize the energy and to calm and focus the mind (Manual, page 92). A calm mind does not contain negative thoughts.