Yoga for Allergy Relief

As a yoga teacher, I’m blessed with the opportunity to personally be exposed to the unique qualities/traits of many individuals.  On average, between the numerous private sessions and group yoga classes I teach, I work with about 75 people a week.  What I have come to learn is that everyone is different in their own way, particularly in how their bodies respond and hold onto environmental, professional and personal stress.

For the last couple of weeks, Fall allergies have been a common thread among several of my yoga students.  So when I stumbled upon the attached blog entry, Yoga for Allergies http://yoga.about.com/od/yogatherapy/a/yogaallergies.htm, it seemed apropos to post it.  It’s definitely worth a read if you are a ragweed sufferer.  And isn’t it nice to know that you’re not the only one?

As much as we like to think we are moving solo on this planet, the environment gently reminds us that “you’re not the only one”.  The universe that supports us is greater than most, including me, give it credit for.  We really all are connected to this earth through the air we breathe, the land we walk on and how we act on a day-to-day basis.  Instead of being annoyed with your Fall allergies, work through them, breathe and do some yoga. 

How Can I Practice Yoga at Work?

Given many people spend 60-70% of their waking hours doing work-related tasks (sitting at the computer, commuting, attending lunch meetings, traveling for business, etc.), it can be challenging to make it to your yoga mat on a daily basis.  Incorporating a few yoga tips into your work day can help you manage stress, relieve muscle tension, shift your perspective and give you a sense of control.

Start with your breath.  As I often tell my yoga students, if you’re breathing you’re doing yoga.  Breathing is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve our mental state and energize our bodies.  Take a 2-5 minute breathing break every hour (every 30 minutes is even better).  This break can be done sitting at your desk with the eyes closed or better yet, take a 5 minute walk outside for some fresh air.  Let the sound of the inhale and exhale bring ease into your body and clear your mind.  For a more energizing break, sweep the arms up as you inhale and release them to your sides as you exhale.  Repeat this as often as possible.

If you can’t justify a 5 minute breathing-break every hour, there are plenty of opportunities during your daily routine to slow down, breath and simply check-in with yourself.  These small moments can add up throughout your day.    −        Sitting long hours?  Check-in with your posture.  Feet should be flat on floor with knees over the ankles.  Hips should be slightly higher than knees.  Engage your abdominals and lift up through your chest.  −        Notice how you type.  Can you lighten up on your keyboard?−        Do you have a death grip on your mouse?  Again, lighten up.  Relax your fingers.−        Waiting in line for coffee, lunch, etc?  Notice your posture.  Stand tall –ears over shoulders, shoulders over hips, hips over knees, knees over ankles−        Have a meeting on a different floor?  Take the stairs.  Focus on breathe and movement. −        Stuck in traffic?  Breathe.  Inhale for a count of 5.  Exhale for a count of 5.  Think of something that makes you smile.−        Walk to the bathroom at 85% of your usual speed.  Mentally, leave your work at your desk.  Focus on your posture and breath. −        Eating lunch at your desk?  Follow it with a 10 minute walk outside or in/around the building.  Focus on the sights and sounds around you.  −        Smile and breathe whenever you can.

Take charge of your inner yogi at work by bringing awareness to how you perform simple repetitive motions –walking, sitting, typing, commuting, answering the phone, responding in a meeting, etc.  The more you start to bring attention to how you move and react in your work related tasks, the more in control you’ll start to feel.

Experience the Beauty of Yoga

Experience the Beauty of Yoga is the tagline for my yoga business, abellaYOGA.

I’ve always believed yoga is an experience that each individual has to find for him/herself.  Yoga is about learning about oneself, on and off the mat.  In order to learn and experience, one must experiment.  This is a very simplified, yet realistic, view of a deep and ancient philosophy.

To experience the beauty that yoga can offer one must be receptive and committed to the learning process.  Yoga is a lifelong learning process.  Even once you think you’ve found your spirit and you’re living from your heart, you’ll realize there’s more within to be discovered.  You’ll crave more.  You’ll crave the process.

I’ve been told, and repeat to my students, that unless you’ve been practicing yoga for 15-20 years you’re still a beginner.  There is always something new to learn on and off your yoga mat.  Usually the new piece of information you learn (whether it’s an asana, sutra or a news event) changes how you viewed the prior information or pose you once knew.  When you start to experiment and play with the new and the old, existing feelings, sensations and thoughts are impacted and new ones are created.  There’s always a cause and effect.  This is the appeal of yoga.  This is life.

Life is a revolving door.  How many times have you changed in your lifetime –so far?  Most of us are not the same person we were at 15, 30, 45, etc.  The choices you made in your 20’s helped pave your way to your 30’s and so forth.  Every choice you make impacts your experiences in life.  When one starts to consistently practice yoga, one’s awareness is heightened to how many options in life exist.

Like life, yoga is an evolutionary process.  It’s a process full of choices.  I encourage all my students to explore a multitude of options:  try different yoga styles, teachers, environments (home, studio, outside, etc.), poses, amplifications and modifications.  Try a private yoga class in your home and/or attend a group yoga class at a new yoga studio.  These are all options in which a choice much be made.  The choices one selects create the experience.  Through experimenting and patience, one will experience the beauty of yoga and find that there is no end. 

Smile – On and Off Your Yoga Mat

I was recently asked by a student “when is it okay to smile during a yoga class?”  She continued to say that some yoga teachers have told her to “stay in your practice” when she smiled in the past.  Yes, it’s important to be in your practice.  It’s also important to feel good which is why I encourage smiles J

My random thoughts on smiling:

Every yoga teacher is different.  I believe you can smile and truly be in your practice.  Yoga isn’t just about you. It is about you, but it is also about opening yourself up (from the inside) to others.  Even though you may not be necessarily smiling directly at the yogi next to you in class, a smile can create a connection to those around you in the room.  A smile can improve the energy in the room.  A smile can change how a pose feels in your body.  A smile can ease tension in your body and mind.  A smile can lighten your spirit.  A smile can make you feel happy and free.  Smiling is healthy.  Smile

Can You Recommend a Yoga Mat?

Of course!  There are an overwhelming # of mats in the market so this is a great question.

My absolute favorite yoga mat is made by Manduka.  They’re expensive in comparison to what you’ll see at Target or Gaiam but well worth the price ($55-$75).  I bought the travel mat (purplelite @ 4lbs) two years ago and it’s still holding strong.  I also recently bought the original Manduka 7lb mat (black) a few months ago for my home yoga space.  I love them both and highly recommend them.  Go to Amazon for great pricing, details and reviews on Manduka mats.  Or visit www.manduka.com  

If you prefer a thin mat, Prana yoga mats are an excellent option.  Prana mats are extremely thin, durable and portable (i.e. folds easily into a suitcase).  Prana yoga mats are also less expensive —in the $35 range.  I’ve had my Prana mat for about 5-6 years and it’s still holding up.  It’s now primarily my travel mat.  I’ve also thrown my Prana mat in the washer a couple of times (not an option with the Manduka mat).  Visit www.prana.com 

Someone needs to create a comparison chart.  I’ll add that to my “to do” list

Two Global Yoga Events this Month

September is a great month to truly be a yogi and live by example through seva (selfless service).  Two events, Global Mala Project and Yoga for Peace, are being held as part of global efforts to raise consciousness and awareness for peace and funds for charity organizations.

Beginning September 21^st and running through Sept 23^rd, more then 35 countries, hundreds of yoga studios and thousands of yogis worldwide will gather as a part of the Global Mala Project!  This time frame (9/21-23) also marks the fall equinox and the United Nation’s International Peace Day.  Funds raised will go to global causes including Trees for the Future.

For those in Washington, DC, the Global Mala Project will take place on 9/23 at the George Washington University Marvin Center.  It will be a mix of lecture, yoga (108 Sun Salutations), meditation and Kirtan.  The DC event will be kicked off the night before (9/22) with Yoga Trance Dance™.  Visit www.dcglobalmala.com for full details on the DC events.  Beyond the U.S., other Global Mala Project countries include Israel, Africa, India and Australia.  A list of locations and all Global Mala Project details can be found at www.globalmala.org. 

Yoga for Peace is holding a worldwide annual event on September 8^th to mark the 6th anniversary of the World Trade Center attack (9/11) and to demonstrate a unified commitment to global peace.

In Washington, DC, hundreds of yogis will perform 108 Sun Salutations in Farragut Square Park (17th between K and I streets NW) in Washington DC on Saturday September 8.  108 Sun Salutations (representing a Mala) are traditionally used to spark positive change.  When done in sequence and in a group setting, Sun Salutations can produce inner and outer feelings of wholeness, unity, peace, harmony and good will.

Other Yoga for Peace event locations include:  New York City, Santa Cruz, Savannah, Brunswick ME, St. Louis, Dallas, Boulder, Honolulu, Boston, Chicago, Toronto, Los Angeles, New Haven CT, Bali, Cologne, Germany, Reykjavik and Tokyo.

To register and/or obtain more info, visit www.yoga-for-peace.org.  

What is Spirit?

I use to have a difficult time answering this –probably because I felt so disconnected from my spirit.  For many years, my body was moving in multiple paths and my mind had its own set of directions.  To family and friends, I looked like I had it together.  And I did —I had professional and personal success.  I made good money being a marketing professional.  I came from a wonderful family/upbringing.   I married a wonderful husband.  We bought a quaint house in Arlington, VA (just outside of DC).  I was doing all the things that were “expected of me”.  Sure, I was (and I still am) very happy but I lacked a connection with spirit.  I always thought “there must be more to life”.

In my experience, your spirit shines when your body and mind travel down the same path.  I truly believe one of the roadblocks to getting the body & mind to travel together are internal fears and what you think people expect from you.  These roadblocks bury your spirit.  Unfortunately, some people never go within, dig deep and explore what they want.

Over the last year I’ve been lucky to have my mind and body move in sync.  I’m following my passion (teaching yoga) which has naturally resulted in an emotional state of happiness, love and bliss.  As a result, I have uncovered my spirit.  I have discovered a feeling of lightness.  And those around me can see it!  I’m now sharing myself more with others than I ever have before —mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

So ask me now “what is spirit?”  Spirit to me is about doing something you believe in.  It’s about taking a leap of faith and pushing through fears that keep you stuck in the rut of “what’s expected of you”.  It’s trusting your instincts and following your passion.  It’s about finding what makes you feel balanced in your life.  It’s about having a strong awareness of yourself and those you encounter everyday.  When you live your life from a place of authenticity, your spirit eventually will shine.

If you feel tied down, lack spirit and/or can’t define “spirit” then stop.  Look within, listen and ask yourself:  “What do I look forward to each day?”  What were the highlights of my life over the last 6 months?”  “What makes me smile?”  “Who makes me smile?”  “What is holding me back from my dreams?”  “What are my fears?”  “Are they really fears, or just excuses?”

Being connected to your spirit is about being aware of the present and the potential the days ahead hold.  It’s about connecting with and pursuing what excites you.  It’s about being you!  It’s not about getting bogged down with the past or the fears of the future.  If you get stuck focusing on what happened to you yesterday or your fears of tomorrow, you’re spirit will never have an opportunity to break through and live within you.

No doubt, finding your spirit is hard work.  It’s a process.  And it’s ever changing.  Life is hard and it isn’t static so why should finding and living with your spirit be any different?  Start your search today and discover your own answer to “what is spirit?”