Today I spoke with someone close to me facing a bit of a dilemma in her life. It doesn’t really matter what the dilemma is, but it was tearing her apart. There were several different levels to this dilemma and she really felt like she was at a crossroads in her life, or would be soon. Some of the concerns she expressed to me were immediate, others wouldn’t be happening until months into the future, IF they happened at all.
She had rationally laid out all possible scenarios, all possible choices for each scenario, and how each might play out. She asked me for advice on what she should do. After listening to her whole story, I did have some advice: Get out of your head, into your heart, take a deep breath and let go.
Let go? What does that even mean?
She was spending so much time analyzing her dilemma that she wasn’t feeling her way through it, she was “thinking” her way through it. And if you think this kind of worrying and anxiety doesn’t cause you physical stress, think again. It’s all connected – mind and body. (She just got diagnosed with high blood pressure – coincidence? She’s 32.)
Letting go doesn’t mean dropping your values and morals, and it doesn’t mean giving up. It means surrendering to the greater flow of the universe and trusting in that process. On the yoga mat, we learn this. We breathe directly into tight spots in our bodies, and as we breathe out, we let go of our worries and fears. We let go, rather than holding on. It’s amazing how many times I’ve seen people come into class worried and tense, their shoulders up around their ears, and at the end of class they look lighter, more carefree and their shoulders have melted down away from their ears, where they should be. The transformation is phenomenal.
So the next time you’re in your head, playing out all the different scenarios of YOUR dilemma, check in with yourself. Do the sorting, organizing and scenario planning that you feel you must do, then take a chance and let go.
Inhale, worry and fear. Exhale, let go.
]]>
Cold and flu season seems to be the endless season this year. Catching one of these viruses is inconvenient, makes you feel awful and is likely to put you on hiatus from your fitness and yoga practices. There are lots of ways to avoid and prevent the spread of germs in your work place. Here are a few simple tips that will keep you feeling your best so that you do not have to rest and stop your asana practice. Remember that if you do become ill, your body does in fact need rest to heal. So do not push your limits, instead, accept what is happening and practice self love and care when you need to.
Wash your hands often. There are likely signs posted in your facilities on how to clean your hands. Soap will kill off those nasty bugs!
Clean your computer. Clean your computer and other surfaces using natural products such as distilled vinegar to keep germs off your keyboard.
Stay rested and well hydrated. Love yourself as you should always do. Ensure you are eating nutritious foods high in vitamin C. There are also teas and tinctures that claim to support the immune system. Do some investigating on your own and with the guidance of your doctor and naturopath on what your body needs to stay healthy.
Avoid stress and maintain a yoga practice. If your body is not well, practice stillness and meditation rather than a full blown asana class. Practice a laughter yoga workshop every now and again to boost endorphins and increase immune function. Laughter is the best medicine after all.
Stay healthy this season!
]]>
Traditionally, yoga practitioners would adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. The reasons for this are multi-fold. Being vegetarian aligns with the yogic values and lifestyle principles of ahimsa (non-harming). Also, adopting a lighter vegetable based diet which is not stimulating, such as a sattvic diet, helps to lighten the body and keep the mind sharp.
Ahimsa means providing kindness to all living things; therefore, not killing or eating animals. Ahimsa is defined in Patañjali’s “classical” Yoga Sutra. It is one of the five Yamas (restraints) which make up a code of conduct. Mohandas Gandhi was a huge proponent of ahimsa. He taught that it precludes not only the acts of inflicting a physical injury, but also mental states, hatred, unkind behavior, dishonesty and lying, all of which he saw as manifestations of violence incompatible with ahimsa.
A sattvic diet can also be called a yoga diet or sentient diet, is a diet based on foods which lead to clarity and equanimity of mind while also being beneficial to the body. There are many resources and recipe books on sattvic diets in the Ayurvedic, Jain, and Yoga traditions.
As a yoga practitioner it is your choice to eat what you want – vegetarian, vegan, or omnivore. Know that there are nutritional options and resources that will line up with your health and lifestyle. And remember it is always fun to try new foods. So enjoy your yoga practice and your food every day.
]]>
Often is a question from new practitioners of yoga… “what do I wear?” The answer is quite simple but here are a few tips to remember:
Choose clothing that is comfortable, stretchy, breathable and modest. Remember to respect that others can see you and they are trying to focus on their own practice.
Yoga can be practiced almost anywhere and does not need special attire. However, know the environment that you are practicing in. If the room is cool and practice is slower, choose jogging pants and a sweatshirt. If the practice is warmer and fast paced choose a t-shirt and leggings.
You may wish to remove jewellery, watches or rings. Keep things simple.
Yoga is traditionally practiced barefoot; however, socks or soft-shoes can be put on.
Finally, remember that Yoga is not a fashion show. You do not need to wear a particular name brand. The practice is an internal and physiological development – you do not have to deplete your bank account on clothing to participate in a yoga class.
]]>
It’s a pose we may all be familiar with. But did you know that Tadasana is an extremely complex and challenging posture to practice? The posture will look slightly different on each practitioner; as we are all slightly different in body shape and balance.
Tadasana, Mountain Pose in English, is sometimes known as Samasthiti. It is a foundational standing posture and is often used as a transitional posture in flow sequence or into any other standing posture. It is said to create a sharp and clear mind when you stand in perfect Tadasana.
Mountain Pose is the ideal standing posture for your body in anatomical neutral. Different teachers and yoga styles can have slightly different positioning of the feet and can describe features of the posture in their own way. However, your body should be in ideal alignment for your proportions. You will standing as tall, balanced and confidently as you can; like a mountain.
Here are a few resources you can use to practice Tadasana on your own.
]]>
Prana is life force. It is what makes you animated or alive. In simple terms it can be understood as the breath. Whereby, everything that lives breathes. Every plant and animal, every cell and tissue will go through an exchange process of one element (oxygen) for another (carbon dioxide) – otherwise thought of as a movement of energy. When that energy stops moving, you stop living.
Pranayama is the science or practice of breathing. Which may seem like an overly simple idea; however, consider your breathing when you are angry, tired or happy. Listen to the breathing of your children, partner or pets throughout the day. Your state of being is reflected in the breath. When you learn to practice and control the breath you can learn how to reflect and control your state of mind and even physical health. You can use your breath as a meditative practice to tune into your life force.
If there are terms you hear in your yoga practice that you may not fully understand, feel free to discuss terminology and your questions with your Innergy Corporate Yoga teachers.
]]>
If you are like me, part magpie, you adore shiny things. Everyone can relate to the idea of this kind of adoration. You walk down the street and longingly gaze into a window display at a pair of shoes, or a car, or an attractive potential suitor. You might feel a little pang in your heart or your gut that says: ‘you must have this thing’ or ‘WOW so pretty! – but I could never have that!’
Take a few moments when you get this ‘pang’ of inspiration – which is what it really is. It is a physiological response of passion and a stimulation of your inner senses. Take a moment to really feel that response. Try not to act immediately in any direction – but rather allow yourself to feel adoration and desire. Tune into your body, tune into your breathing – what are you feeling? Why are you feeling this way? Have you spotted something you need, or will make you feel like a whole person if you possess it? Likely, the answer is no. But, in that moment, you allowed yourself to be inspired. You felt – even for a fleeting moment, a passionate desire.
Allowing yourself to be inspired and know your gut instincts is so very important. It is what will help direct our life’s path. Finding things of beauty around you is a lesson in appreciation and discernment. Next time you walk down the street and your eye catches something shiny, let yourself appreciate that beauty. Perhaps your heart might say – ‘I am content to admire and walk away’ or perhaps it will say ‘time to take action!’
]]>
When you are feeling a bit blue, let it out. When you are feeling frustrated, tap into the root cause of that anger and realize it. When you are feeling overwhelmed with joy, express it with laughter, dance and a smile.
By realizing and expressing your emotions you will love your true state of being. Do a little research and self experimentation on respectful ways of letting out your feelings. In other words, find loving and constructive ways to be authentic to yourself. Don’t kick your cat if you’ve had a bad day at work. Understand why you had a bad day, without pointing blame. Take responsibility for your own reactions and learn from each experience so that you can start fresh the next day.
Check out this article on letting out a good cry. It really will allow you to move forwards in your life, with a liberated attitude, when you can honestly process your feelings.
]]>
The process of developing your yoga practice entails self learning. Checking in with yourself; emotionally, physically, and spiritually is a learning process involving patience, love and respect. Yoga is a continual process of reflection. As you evolve as a person and give yourself permission to experience your yoga, you will discover metaphors of growth in your life. In other words, if you are feeling tired and stiff in a particular area of your body, reflect on recent events in your life. Has there been added stress? Have you eaten poorly? Or even a change in the weather? Do not look to blame – just be aware of correlations. Continuing to learn about who you are on all levels will give you clarity and a greater sense of purpose in life.
]]>
In this time of new beginnings, choose Love for yourself. Even when you have tonnes of obligations and ideas on who you are and should be; remember to take some time to smell the roses and remember your favourite things. Your duties in time will be accomplished – but, taking a few moments each day to slow down to tune into the present moment is vital to your mental health.
Having a regular yoga asana practice is very important. You will see results the more often you practice. You will feel strong & healthy and train your mind to be more positive and sharp. But, more than just an asana practice – yoga entails a discipline of self awareness. Tap into those things that make you happy as your daily yoga practice and you will feel happier and more satisfied with life.
]]>