Yoga Every day

For 2010, I want to enjoy the practice of Yoga every single day. I am going to try my best to practice as much as I teach Yoga because I love the balance practicing Yoga brings to my life. I am going to practice for at least 30 minutes a day.

Guiding people through a great practice is amazing but if I cannot relate to the postures or understand how they work with my body it is hard to describe sensations to the students. Practicing allows for you to learn new techniques and explore new areas of Yoga. In general, Yoga is a forum for sharing information about your body and other experiences. Information gathered during practice helps the instructor expand his or her sharing forum.

Yesterday, I was able to practice in two Yoga classes. I went to a Hot Yoga class in the morning and enjoyed an intermediate vinyasa in the evening. My first class helped me focus on relaxing in a super Hot room and my second class showed me deep openings in my upper back and shoulders. Both experiences were wonderful and next class I plan to meet someone new because it is nice to know your Yoga community. When I am not teaching I get shy and nervous. It is time to expand my horizons because Yoga should not create any boundaries.

namaste

An Open Heart

Recently, I have been getting in touch with my heart. I have discovered upper body rounding and hunching. I teach and/or practice Yoga daily. I know the importance of posture and alignment. As a graduate of etiquette school and a former dancer, I cannot begin to count the amount of times I was reminded to maintain my posture. Lately my upper body has been ignored. My shoulders and neck have become exceptionally tight. These signs are telling me that it is time to work through my body and listen.

In effort to combat my discomfort and physical restrictions I have assessed my lifestyle. I ride my bike to work and school daily. The weight placed on my wrists travels up my arms and creates tightness in my shoulders. Leaning over my bike handles has caused me to round forward and change the muscle formation in my upper body. After looking at my biking position and my Yoga asanas. I noticed my upward-facing dog was not as open and that there was more pressure in the heal of my hands. I also noticed that I could correct my asanas to strengthen muscles between my shoulder blades. I started bringing my shoulder blades together during decasana and upward-facing dog. My chest has slowly opened and my back's increasing strength has helped to open my chest. Along with working on my upper back strength I continued to draw through my lower abdominal region in order to avoid low back sway.

The upper chest opening has helped me to change my biking posture and encourage my students to open their bodies. The change in upper body alignment has made a significant difference on my vynyasa practice and enhanced my balance. The confidence that comes from an open chest or heart posture is invaluable. Upper body posture has brought a new light to my practice and life. It is always important to continue to re-assess your body's alignment and posture. Things get forgotten and we can get into routines that change our bodies without notice. Namaste

Mindful Transition

Yoga is different. It is not like baseball practice. It is far from a bike ride down a busy street. the peaceful practice is definitely not like a pick up hockey game. But Yoga can be highly beneficial to people who enjoy these sports. Yoga provides mind and body work that compliments sports. Yoga provides a foundation for life in general. Yoga is something that becomes familiar as you re-introduce yourself to your body.

Open yourself to a new frontier and new ideas. Yoga studios have their own culture and style. Postures are taught differently and not all postures are designed to suit everyone. There are a lot of different ideas and activities happening during a practice. It is important to just take in what you can and not overwhelm yourself. Instructors are constantly encouraging each student to be present. Being present can be as simple as breathing. Just focus on yourself. Being present involves the breath and avoiding the mental fluctuations. Pay attention to your alignment, too. Sometimes the instructions can be overwhelming. Listening to the sequencing and alignment corrections can be a lot to handle. As a student always be satisfied with whatever you can do. As a beginner try not to look for a purpose. Just watch your body move and transition through the practice. Be patient. The Yoga realm will slowly unveil itself and your body will start to crave the practice. Yoga keeps you grounded.

Recipe Requests

Banana Cran Bread

Wet Ingredients: Mix in large bowl

3 mashed bananas

1 beautiful egg or two egg whites (both opt.)

1/4 cup ground flax

1/4 plain greek yogurt (opt. or any kind)

2 tbp cinnamon

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 maple syrup

1/4 cup vanilla soy/almond/rice/coconut milk

1 cup fresh cranberries (Opt.)

1/4 cup raisons (Opt.)

1/4 Walnuts (opt.)

1/4 Cup Pumpkin Seeds (opt.)

1 Chopped Apple or Pear (Opt.)

1/4 Cup (rolled date pieces)

Dry:mix in medium bowl & add to wet ingredients bowl.

1.5 cups flour (your choice, ex: brown rice flour)

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

Combine, spray loaf pan and bake @ 385 degrees for 40-45 mins :)

More recipes on their way!

Yoga Trunks

Attention... attention... this just in... Yoga Trunks exist. What does a Yoga trunk sound like to you? Take a minute.. pause... breathe in and breathe out.

Okay- so the first thing that comes to mind when I hear trunk, is a trunk in an attic filled with my grandparents old and dusty things. Trunks also represent a drinking spout for an elephant. I cannot imagine someone wanted old Yoga clothes from my Grandparents attic that makes them look like an elephant? Picture this, a gentle sun salution dressed up in old elephant clothes. Oh goodness who thought of this title for clothing sales? I hope they are not Canadian.

People shopping for slique yoga gear are looking for something to really help them move through the postures. The latest fad is owning a great pair of Yoga pants. The pants that lift and support your lower physique. It is hard to access these great slacks and it is not going to be obvious when you call your show a Yoga Trunk Show.

This spurred from a random experience. Two Yoga Trunk reps came into the studio where I teach. They barely shared any information and disapeared as soon as the class was complete.

Better Blogs are in the making!!!! namamamamaste

Yoga Introductions

Practicing with a group of Yogis does not require a formal introduction. A group can meet for the same purpose, Yoga, and find harmony through their breath, body and mind. Yoga is a great way to find equality; however, for new Yoga practitioners accepting all aspects of Yoga can be extremely foreign and uncomfortable.

This week I have asked each student to introduce themselves at the beginning of class. The introduction is a simple way to eliminate the discomfort experienced in unfamiliar Yoga territory. Letting each student say their name aloud helps to ease the tense energy brought into the room. Individuals practice for months before they informally speak to the instructor or to the Yogis who inhabit their classes. Human interaction can be extremely awkward and it is important for the instructor to maintain a level of comfort while guiding a group through a Yoga practice.

Instructors can remind students to eliminate judgment from their thoughts. Encourage students to focus on their breath and the benefits from each asana. Using the students’ names and your words of encouragement, always help to brighten the comfort level. Students face challenges when presented a unfamiliar Yoga flow. Stepping out of your comfort zone has the possibility of making the flow competitive or uncomfortable. Humans just want to prove that they are strong enough or smart enough to follow the movement aspect of the class. Reminding the students of the Yoga purpose helps to reduce the competitive energy. Just by saying the students name will help personalize and remind the student that they are hear to practice Yoga, not to compete. Set the tone and try different class introductions.

Each class is composed of different individuals, which require altered introductory approaches. Never give up as a guide because the truth will always reveal itself when you remain present.

No Music, No Problem!

Sometimes as instructors we forget our music, our brains, our yoga mats and/or which left foot we are using during a our Yoga instruction. The idea of a perfect Yoga class does not always match our predictions. Somehow the ancient Yoga Gods come together and create a way for us to find harmonious balance. Most students wandering into a Yoga room are looking for a way to feel good, to get his or her high. The loving Yogis really do not care about the simple imperfections that teachers might see as relevant. Find your heart and soul because that is all you need to guide a Yoga practice.

The art of music complimenting the flow of a Yoga class is amazing; however, the breath can also be of service. The music sometimes prevents us from fluid breath work, so teaching a quiet class every once in a while can be a delicious treat for the body, mind and spirit.

Every couple of months I find myself forgetting my favourite Yoga teaching tool, the ipod. I seriously feel naked without it. When it is lost I begin to realize how much I rely on the music to set the class tone. More recently I have begun to realize that I set the tone of the class. My personal attitude and words are what set the tone for each class I instruct. The loud and wild music might get the students all wound up but if I teach without enthusiasm or excitement than the music will not have much of an impact.

Believe in your teaching purpose. Believe in your teaching abilities. Let your students find the love you present in each Yoga class you guide.

For students reading this just remember your Yoga spirit and you will always be enlightened by the bigger picture a Yoga community presents.

Really wild ginger girl : )