3 Ways to Put Some SPRING into Your Yoga Practice

Pear Blossoms

Coming out of our winter funk is always a bit of a challenge. Many of us notice our Spring clothes are a bit tighter, our movements slower and our food does not support the warmer weather.

3 Ways to Put Some SPRING into Your Yoga Practice:

1. Start moving more. Whether you are walking, biking, swimming, or adding some more rigor to your yoga practice, now is the time. The human body was meant to move. Many of us have sedentary lives. Small amounts of regular, gentle exercise is best. You might check out my 7-minute video to get your blood pumping.

2. Start to lighten up your diet. Notice which foods you are attracted to. This is the time to do a Spring cleanse, eat raw fruit and vegetables, and let go of the foods that weigh you down literally and figuratively. Check out my post on Eating Clean for more ideas.

3. Take up a breathing practice or grow the one you are working on. You might add pranayama (breath work) into your asana practice. I suggest Ujjayi (oo ji e) breathing, which is energizing and a bit warming. 

Start by placing your hand in front of your mouth.
Breathe into your palm as if you're fogging a mirror. Now, take your hand away and continue to breathe in that manner. You can begin by using Ujjayi on your exhale and then add in the inhale as you feel more comfortable. As with any yogic practice, it is best to receive instruction from a certified instructor.

A breathing practice can also be developed through chanting. You might work with a mantra (usually we get these from a teacher), but you can use one you resonate with from reputable source. You might start with the sound Om or another favorite of mine is the sound Ah. See which feels best in your body and mind. 

Either of these practices will help to lengthen your breath and increase your energy level.

If you're in Salt Lake, you might consider checking out an Introduction to Desire Mapping with me this Saturday, March 28 from 1-4 pm at Mindful Yoga Collective.

I'd love to hear how you do with any of these practices.
#Happy Spring!

Can yoga help us overcome fear?

I'm not sure when I realized this; yoga has helped me to overcome many fears--fear of being seen, speaking in front of groups, trying new things. Insidious as it sounds, the benefits of a daily yoga practice have a way of sneaking up on you. Fear stopped me from moving ahead. I have and can use my practice to move through just about anything.

Of course, for humans, fear has kept us alive historically and presently such as: fear of moving objects, not having enough food and wild animals. Fear triggers the fight or flight response whether there is or isn't a life-threatening situation. It is one of the causes of some of our stress-related habits and illnesses.

 Patanjali explains in YS 1.12 Abhyasavairagyabhyam tannirodhah - that if we do the practice [any practice], we will be able to let go of the grip of things [i.e. fear] that stand in the way, and then we will move towards one-pointed focus [our goal=no fear].  

So what practice can you do?

• Asana, yoga postures - move a muscle, change a thought
• Gratitude- each more think of 3 things you are grateful for
• Smile - even if you don't feel it at first
• Chant a soothing sound-like ah or om
• Talk to someone who cares
• Take a walk
• Write in a journal
• Pranayama, try a cooling breath practice
• Meditation
• Breathe - take 3 deep breaths, count to ten
• Spend time with positive people
• Laugh - at yourself, movies, what ever you think is funny
• Play - with animals, children, in the dirt
• Create new things 
• Participate in a sport
• Avoid people, substances and behaviors that don't support you 

Each of these things can be made into a daily practice that can move you to a better place. Some of them are better achieved with the guidance of a trained professional, yet movement towards change is mandatory. Are all of these yoga? No. Can we achieve a yogic state of mind, de-stress and start to let go of fear through them? Yes.

Tomorrow I have to meet a new group of 50 people for my new business, and I'm scared. This is probably why I chose this topic. My life has lead me here and I am ready. I will do my practice, breathe, be prepared and take the plunge. 

 I'd love to hear stories of how you've overcome fear.