Vinyasa yoga teaches us to cultivate an awareness that links each action to the next—on the mat and in our lives. Applying vinyasa in your yoga practice and daily life has many parallels to our breath in class. Moving through life demands a synchronization with natural forces that requires skill and intuition, the ability to set a course yet change with the wind. You have to know how to assess ourselves; in our physical, emotional, and spiritual states.
The teachings of yoga include a view called parinamavada, the idea that constant change is an inherent part of life. To proceed mindfully with any action, we must first assess where we are starting from today; we cannot assume we are quite the same person we were yesterday. We are all prone to ignoring the changing conditions of our body-mind; we often distort the reality of who we are based on who we think that we should be. This can show up on the yoga mat in any number of inappropriate choices: engaging in a heating, rigorous practice when we're agitated or fatigued; doing a restorative practice when we're stagnant; going to an advanced yoga class when a beginning class better suits our experience and skills. In order to avoid such unbeneficial actions, we need to start out with an accurate assessment of our current state.
Be who you should be each and every day (it will be different).............
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Insecure Moments
We all have moments of insecurity—moments where we really dread something is about to happen. When maybe fear, anxiety and maybe even anger are about to set in! So how do we change those feelings into insight, freedom or a sense of calm.
During these insecure moments, we need to examine our feelings, acknowledge them, which with practice will bring us back to a sense of calm. It won't change the situation but it will change the way we react to it.
But that's easier said than done. One technique is paying attention to the feelings that accompany them. Then turn your focus on your breath, each time you relax and listen to your feelings, you open yourself to acknowledging that they are present.
When you simply witness our feelings first rather than just reacting to them, we allow our life to unfold with connection and we open ourselves to greater sympathy and understanding. Most important, we start to develop our capacity to be mindful in an often challenging life.
One breath at a time.........Cyn
During these insecure moments, we need to examine our feelings, acknowledge them, which with practice will bring us back to a sense of calm. It won't change the situation but it will change the way we react to it.
But that's easier said than done. One technique is paying attention to the feelings that accompany them. Then turn your focus on your breath, each time you relax and listen to your feelings, you open yourself to acknowledging that they are present.
When you simply witness our feelings first rather than just reacting to them, we allow our life to unfold with connection and we open ourselves to greater sympathy and understanding. Most important, we start to develop our capacity to be mindful in an often challenging life.
One breath at a time.........Cyn
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Importance of Breath!
Yoga has been called a "breath practice" by many experienced yogis. That's partially because many styles of yoga link breathing and moving. But it's also because the breath can reveal the truth about our condition, even when the external form of the body does not. The breath never lies!
When we practice yoga, our hope is to approach our edge in each pose, while keeping focused and centered, with the breath full and steady throughout. You can use the breath to sink deeper into the pose making it as intense as you release to. If you're ever unsure whether you're doing too much or not enough, listen to your breath. If you can't keep breathing evenly in a posture, it's a signal that you should back off to a simpler version of the asana—or take a rest.
This is also true of our daily lives. When you find yourself feeling tense, stressed, or overworked, try checking in with your breath. If it's even, calm, and rhythmic, then you're probably going to be OK. If it's choppy, short, and strained, then take a break, find a moment of relaxation, and wait for it to return to normal.
Just Breathe.........Cyn
When we practice yoga, our hope is to approach our edge in each pose, while keeping focused and centered, with the breath full and steady throughout. You can use the breath to sink deeper into the pose making it as intense as you release to. If you're ever unsure whether you're doing too much or not enough, listen to your breath. If you can't keep breathing evenly in a posture, it's a signal that you should back off to a simpler version of the asana—or take a rest.
This is also true of our daily lives. When you find yourself feeling tense, stressed, or overworked, try checking in with your breath. If it's even, calm, and rhythmic, then you're probably going to be OK. If it's choppy, short, and strained, then take a break, find a moment of relaxation, and wait for it to return to normal.
Just Breathe.........Cyn
Monday, March 8, 2010
Keeping Your Practice Real
Do you ever look at an another yoga student in an awe-inspiring pose and think to yourself, "I would never be able to do that!" or "I wish I could do that"?
Your not the only one thinking that. Most yoga students can relate to being envious, overwhelmed or discouraged when they see another student doing what seems to be an unobtainable pose. Instead of concentrating on your own shortcomings, come back to your breath and try to focus on the potential in your yoga practice. If not physical, then certainly spiritual. Think of how far you have come on and off the mat.
There will always be exceptions, most intermediate and advanced yogis didn't come out of the womb with the abilities to do those awesome postures. They used yoga as a tool to gradually improve their flexibility, strength, and concentration. Just like you're doing! Remember, yoga isn't about being able to shape your body into a pretzel. It's about what you learn about yourself while you practice on and off the mat. This is what truly matters.
Just Breathe.....Cyn
Your not the only one thinking that. Most yoga students can relate to being envious, overwhelmed or discouraged when they see another student doing what seems to be an unobtainable pose. Instead of concentrating on your own shortcomings, come back to your breath and try to focus on the potential in your yoga practice. If not physical, then certainly spiritual. Think of how far you have come on and off the mat.
There will always be exceptions, most intermediate and advanced yogis didn't come out of the womb with the abilities to do those awesome postures. They used yoga as a tool to gradually improve their flexibility, strength, and concentration. Just like you're doing! Remember, yoga isn't about being able to shape your body into a pretzel. It's about what you learn about yourself while you practice on and off the mat. This is what truly matters.
Just Breathe.....Cyn
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