Daily posts about my yoga practice. I want to share the love and knowledge I learn after every class, and inspire others to have yoga be a part of their lifestyle. Enjoy!
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
I just bought my first incense yesterday! I chose the jasmin because it smelled so yummy
Om is not just a sound or vibration. It is not just a symbol. It is the entire cosmos, whatever we can see, touch, hear and feel. Moreover, it is all that is within our perception and all that is beyond our perception. It is the core of our very existence. If you think of Om only as a sound, a technique or a symbol of the Divine, you will miss it altogether. ….. Om is the mysterious cosmic energy that is the substratum of all the things and all the beings of the entire universe. It is an eternal song of the Divine. It is continuously resounding in silence on the background of everything that exists.
The book Om Chanting and Meditation - Amit Ray
Today in class I learned that sometimes you have to put yourself in that aggravating, uncomfortable situation, so that we can grow and learn more about ourselves. This also applies to LIFE. We’re not always going to be in a perfectly happy situation, I’m sure we all wish that right? I was getting frustrated in class today, because I was having a difficult time getting a pose. Of course my teacher noticed and she then says in the most perfect moment, “it is okay to feel frustrated because you are not where you want to be, but if you keep working towards that goal, you’ll get it—-trust me I know what that feels like.” She also said we have to find bliss where ever we are. I like that word, bliss. It is not a word I hear too often but I enjoyed trying to find bliss in class today.
One last thought I wanted to share with you all, my teacher, Hagar, encouraged me to take her 4-week extensive course for yoga. Especially after I told her I would like to be a yoga instructor, she felt this was perfect for me. I’m excited! I’m really taking my yoga practice to the next level and I cannot wait to see where it leads me. :)
photo by: http://www.michelleyoga.com/
It’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit - start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it, I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that stop you, I hope you feel things you’ve never felt before, I hope you meet people with a different point of view, I hope you live a life you’re proud of - and if you find that you’re not I hope you have the strength to start all over again.
Said by Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button from “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” written by Eric Roth based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. (via moveyourbooty)
(Source: whollyyoga)
Here are some useful tips for yoga:
- The time most suitable for Yoga is in the morning before breakfast when the mind is calm and fresh and the movements can be done with ease and vitality
- The most important things you’ll need to get started - as they say - are a big heart and a small ego.
- A person must seek a place of quietude, which is well ventilated, free from dust, insects, unpleasant smell, draught, and moisture. There should be no distraction whatsoever.
- You must empty your bowels and bladder, clean your nostrils and throat of all mucus, consume a glass of lukewarm water and then begin the exercises after 15 minutes
- Always remember that you should begin with the easy postures and then proceed to the difficult ones. One must follow the graded steps of Yoga
- In the beginning, all movements should be practiced lightly and you must cease to go further if fatigue shows.
- Yoga trainers recommend a balanced diet (sattwik). There should be an interval of 4 hours between meals
- The clothing should be loose and as scanty as possible, because maximum amount of the skin should be exposed to air.
- Form-fitting cotton/Lycra pants and shirts are the best.
- The breathing should be long and deep. The mouth should be closed and inhale and exhale only through the nose.
- You can check out some other commercial Yoga accessories, like Yoga belt, foam blocks, Yoga pillows and rubber mats.
I’m not too sure about you guys, but I found these tips actually really interesting! (:
Yoga has been a nice constant in my life, especially when everything else seems to always change. Change is good though, it keeps you on your toes. It’s a lesson I’m also learning in yoga, I’m always trying out different teachers and seeing what I can learn from them. With that said be open minded in your practice, you never know what you’ll get out of it.
Photo by: www.yogicphotos.com
Took Andrew & Tina to yoga class yesterday! Anyone else take their friends to yoga class?
Hooray, finally get to post an update today! I decided to move up a level in my yoga practice this week because I felt my body was ready for more. TOTALLY KICKED MY BEHIND!…but in a good way. I was definitely challenged and left wanting more. We worked on Parsva bakasana (side crane pose) and the key to this pose is twisting enough to place the outer edge of one upper arm far around the outside of the opposite thigh. Another pose we worked on is eka pada koundiyanasana II, which took me a few tries to get. This pose tones the belly and spine and strengthens the arms and wrists.
I finally took a break from yoga and climbed for 2 hours last night! I wish I could have taken some photos for you all but I couldn’t grasp my phone because I was so sore. I also noticed yoga has helped me develop tremendous focus when doing other activities like bouldering. So I encourage you all to try other activities and see where your practice takes you!
*this photo was taken after a night bike ride to yoga class
Rode my bike to pilates class today! It was a fantastic class and a wonderful compliment to yoga ^_^ Also this pilates workout is great practice for handstands!
(Source: wildinwoods)
Had another amazing yoga sesh last night! My teacher, Allison, has such a beautiful positive energy about her. It’s a nice environment to be in and also because she is just so pretty to look at. A woman can admire another woman’s beauty right? I came into the class having too much negative energy and frustration and I was able to come out of the class exhausted but filled with positive energy. Opening my heart out in every class I take is a simple, yet complex task. To be open minded and let go of everything and focus in the moment is hard, but also very rewarding. Never stop learning and pushing yourself, you never know what will come out of it. Namaste
p.s. I chose this photo because I absolutely adore Briohny Smyth
one of my most favorite inspiring videos!
(Source: beautyfortheseashesthefitproject)
