Just a quick share… played with some arm balances the other day and this playlist helped set the mood…
It’s a bit untraditional and I don’t recommend it for a class or if you like to avoid expletives 
Perhaps you will give these poses a go, as I did… Eka Pada Koundinyasana I & II
New Yoga Pants!
In February, Yoga Six held a 28-day Yoga Challenge. The challenge: take 28 classes in the 28 days of February. I did it! (…plus one!)
After 29 yoga practices, I’ve not only gained some muscle, I’ve also gained some insight.
My practice is variable from day to day.
Both physically and mentally, each time I came to my mat things were different. Some days, I was ready to move, others I wanted to stay in child’s pose for the whole hour. I experienced a similar phenomenon mentally. Peace of mind was easy to find in some instances, and sometimes my mind was all over the place. I learned to be kind and accepting of all qualities that manifested in my practice.
Practicing with others is where it’s at.
I especially enjoyed practicing alongside students who take my classes. It was refreshing to switch sides and be a part of the class. I think my students enjoyed seeing me in a new light, as one of them. We are always supporting each other, whether it’s as student and teacher or cheering one another on through 28 yoga classes.
Yoga is habit-forming.
After the first week, I was craving my yoga practice. It’s a snowball affect, a slippery slope. Once you start, you just can’t stop! Half the battle was getting to class, but I never regretted getting out of the house and heading to the studio.
I’m still growing.
After a month-long yoga binge, I aam feeling great physically and mentally. But, I’m not at the end. I’m just in another portion of my journey. I want to use this momentum to cultivate an at-home practice. This will be crucial for the days when I can’t make it to a class or the offerings are not what my body needs on that given day.
This challenge has set me up for my biggest challenge yet: INDIA!
I hope to share my experiences abroad here! Stay tuned!
When you’re trying to make changes in your life, it can be a challenge to stick with it. Your relationships can help you stay on track and even encourage you along your new path. With the support of friends and family, you can stay motivated and live in an environment conducive to your goals.
It can be difficult to maintain a lifestyle that not everyone is into. Even if everyone you know isn’t on board, make sure you have a few people you can turn to for positive advice and support.
I stumbled upon this video earlier in the week, and it was a good source of wisdom for me. I have plenty of moments of insecurity about what I’m doing with my life. My relationships are key to helping me see that I’m on a path that’s right for me and there are people out there who support me.
It also brings to my attention how important it is for me to be supportive of my friends and their lives. How can I be a better support to my loved ones?
Moving through my practice today, I couldn’t help but think how I watch my students practice these same poses. Warrior II is a particularly difficult pose for me, and one I often encourage my students to push themselves further in. This brings me to my musing for the day…
When you address conflict or challenge (physically in asana, or in a “real life” situation), you may resolve it or strengthen yourself.
And, once you’ve moved through one challenge, there’s another that presents itself. The cycle continues.
That is why yoga is an ongoing practice. Life is an ongoing practice.
You can’t expect life or your asana practice to be easy. There’s always a hurdle to jump over.
Jumping each hurdle allows you to advance on to the next one, to grow.
Be present with your challenges, so you can move forward.
Practice song of the day:
If you’ve been practicing yoga for a while, you know your stuff. You know when the teacher is setting you up for bridge pose. You know when savasana is coming. You prepare. You predict. You settle in.
Sometimes, it’s hard to forget what it’s like to be a beginner, to be completely led by the teacher, to learn new things and move outside what you are comfortable with.
I was talking with a student after class the other day about what it’s like to come back to class after a few days (or weeks) off from practice. You can absolutely feel the physical challenge of it, but there’s more to it.
When you’ve stepped back, you’re able to come to the mat with a fresh perspective, you may have unlearned a few things. And, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Habits can be great. Habits can also hinder you.
How can you approach your yoga practice as a beginner, as someone who hasn’t picked up the habits of a practice yet?
What will you (re)learn?
