I Can’t Touch My Toes!

I often hear this as an excuse from people as to why they haven’t tried yoga (asana).  My simple response is usually “well, that’s why you do yoga – to help make you more flexible”.

The reality is yoga isn’t about being able to touch your toes. Yes, the asana practice will physically stretch your body out and expose you to muscles you didn’t know existed.  But yoga is really a process of self-discovery – discovering yourself as you move your body, actively breath and quiet your mind.

The practice of yoga (asana) brings us back to our natural state of balance.  Yoga is a Sanskrit term that translates to union.  In our natural state, the body, mind and spirit are aligned/united and co-exist in a balance state of peace.

Consider babies for a moment.  Most are born into the world as bundles of joy –free of stress and tension and happy to simply “be”.  Babies have bendy bodies – they can touch their toes with their nose!  They’re always present – fully in the moment.  Their souls are completely innocent.

As we age and experience life, we accumulate tension and toxins (T&T).  To grow as a human (physically, mentally and spiritually), there really is no way around T&T – it’s normal.  Unfortunately, for many people T&T starts to feel like a natural state of being.  Our minds become ingrained with toxic thoughts, constant worries and never shut off.  Our souls get lost in the chaos of life, blocking our true selves from fully shining.  Our bodies become stiff and uncomfortable.  And we forget that life happens in the moment, not in the past or future.

The asana practice has the power to release T&T, heal our bodies, clear our minds and open our hearts.  Through the process of self-discovery, we learn self-acceptance and that all of us are perfect just as we are.  The world would be a boring place if we all looked the same and could all bend into pretzels.  Finally, the beauty of the asana practice is the more you unroll your yoga mat, the more you’ll discover about yourself and the greater chance you’ll have at touching your toes – maybe one day with your nose!

Focused Fun

“Focused fun” – I’m coining this term to describe asana practice.  More and more people are getting on their yoga mats to release stress and tension –mental, physical and emotional.  Ironically with the intent to let go of tension, more often than not they look stressed out as they are moving through their practice.  I witness this frequently in the office yoga classes (aka corporate yoga) I teach as well as in the studio environment.

To fully experience yoga asana, you must be present.  To be present, you must be aware of the moment at hand.  To be aware, you must be focused with the eyes, on the breathing, feeling the movement. Yes, there’s a lot going on in the asana practice and it’s a lot of work –mentally and physically.  And it’s fun work.  Focused fun!

If you’re not focused and constantly scanning the body internally and externally (awareness) when you’re on the mat, there’s a greater tendency to check out of the present moment.  Being focused and present takes continuous practice.  It’s a moment-by-moment practice.  Asana is a moment-by-moment practice.  And to fully live life, you need to be in the moment.  And being in the moment means fully taking in challenging times and good times.

Back to the mat…next time you’re on it, notice the intensity of your focus.  Is your breathing choppy and fast?  Back off.  Is your face tight or jaw clenched?  Let it go.  Where are you straining?  Instead of zoning in on your fatigued muscles, can you relax through breath?  A simple smile can invite ease and fun into the moment.   The point is stay focused as you move and tune into your intention for unrolling your mat in the first place.  My guess is your not practicing yoga to create more stress.  Lighten up and have some “focused fun!”

Posture Perfect

On a physical level, two of the best (of the many) benefits to a regular yoga practice is learning the importance of breathing and posture.  Coincidentally posture influences the quality of your breathing.  Without proper posture, your breathing is constricted.

Unless you’ve been in the military, a trained dancer or had a wonderful Grandmother like mine (no hunching, sit up tall, etc.), your posture has probably suffered due to the stresses of life.  And until you hit a yoga class, no one in your adult life has probably had the nerve to correct you.  Additionally, you know you need to sit up taller but it’s hard work.

Why is good posture important?  It not only affects your breathing but also your muscles, bones and nervous system.  Slouching constantly weakens back and ab muscles, restricts the movement of the diaphragm and cramps the internal organs.  Externally, poor posture gives off a sunken, closed-off, less confident vibe to the world.

Upright asana (yoga poses) such as Tadasana or Dandasana train the body proper posture alignment, from the heels to the crown of the head.  Both of these asanas provide space in the body for the diaphragm to move freely, the breath to flow easily and the nervous system to relax.  When the nervous system relaxes the mind is calmer.

Best of all, when you stand or sit tall in correct alignment (aka posture perfect), the body is at ease, more confident and inviting to those around you.  Overtime, Tadasana starts to become a natural part of your everyday movement.  Next thing you know, you’ll be “Grandmothering” your friends & family with love pats to the back.

Why Do You Do Yoga?

As a yoga student/teacher I have come to learn that each yogi and yogini has a different reason for why they get on their yoga mats.  What’s your reason?  What is your intention for practicing this ancient blend of science/philosophy and movement (asana) that offers health, balance, peace and ultimately enlightenment?

Think about it.  Your reason may be different every single time you practice.  One day you might practice with the intent of cultivating patience for yourself and others.  The next practice you might commit to practicing for a feeling of peace, internally and worldwide.  Or maybe you simply practice to get toned arms and abs.  If your reason is the same each time that’s okay too, but be honest.  As we practice more, we grow more and ultimately change for the better on many levels.

My assumption is there’s a common thread in everyone’s intention for practicing asana – we all do yoga to feel better.  “Better” can have a different meaning for each practitioner.  Better can mean healthy and vibrant.  Better can mean to feel more confident.  Or maybe better for you is stronger and beautiful.  There are a slew of translations for better.  I invite you to discover yours.

Start to become clear as to why you practice and be okay with what the reason is however crazy it might sound.  An honest commitment/intention gives your practice meaning and eventually will carry itself off the mat and into your life.  As Gandhi said “A man is but the product of his thoughts.  What he thinks, he becomes.”

Why Prenatal Yoga?

Yoga is an ideal form of fitness to alleviate the well-known discomforts of pregnancy including back pain, swelling, constipation and fatigue. Yoga asana is also a great way to strengthen and build stamina in the muscles used during childbirth as well as explore how to use the power of breath to enhance your ability to relax.

As your body changes and your baby grows, yoga can give you confidence and ease enabling you to connect with the inner workings of your body. Yoga can help you develop a greater sense of self-acceptance and heighten your intuition. On an emotional level, yoga can enhance your ability to readjust to continuous hormonal and other internal changes as well as give you a greater sense of mental peace.

Whether you’re pregnant and new to yoga, or an expectant experienced power vinyasa yogini, prenatal yoga classes can help ease anxiety about how to safely practice yoga throughout all stages of your pregnancy. Group prenatal yoga classes can give you the opportunity to learn yoga in a supportive environment and meet other expectant yoginis. If you already have a strong yoga practice, you might consider taking just one or two prenatal classes to learn the asana modifications you’ll need to continue with your existing practice safely.

Another option is private prenatal yoga sessions. Private sessions are an excellent way to learn modifications that best suit you based on your yoga experience. Plus private sessions allow you to freely ask questions along the way, such as “what can I do for my swelling feet?”

Regardless of which route you choose, private or group classes, prenatal yoga is an excellent way to learn how to connect with your body in a new way and bond with your bundle of joy!

If you live in the DC/Northern Virginia area and want to experience prenatal yoga, please join me at Dancing Mind Yoga in Falls Church, VA on June 7th (1-3:30pm) for a prenatal power vinyasa workshop.