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!

Yoga for Entrepreneurs: My Gift to You

Yoga For Entrepreneurs

Being an entrepreneur creates some special circumstances. We make our own hours, which is a blessing for some and a curse for others. Discipline is required for us to get things. We set goals and we complete them (most of the time). We need to know when to ask for help and when we just have to do it ourselves. We have to manage our money, our space, our peeps and the rest of our lives. As I’m writing this, I’m amazed that we get it done.

Over the last couple of decades yoga has been my saving grace through changing careers, loss, love, having children, and every other experience I have lived. Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise for the body, the mind and the spirit.

You can do yoga anywhere and without any equipment. Comfortable clothing and guidance are the only things needed. Yoga is low impact. Anyone, no matter what your ability, can perform yoga.  The results from a daily yoga practice created by a trained instructor are unmatched if practiced correctly and consistently. A new movement for your body may feel awkward, yet yoga should NEVER hurt!

I challenge you to do this simple practice that I have created for you each morning for 21 days. Research tells us that we need 21 consecutive days of a behavior to make something a new habit. It’s best to do the practice at the same time and in the same place each day as possible. You might add this new habit to an existing one. Do your yoga practice after you brush your teeth or when you’re taking your morning break.

I suggest keeping a log or journal if you are so inclined to note the changes as they occur. Each day, notice how you feel and observe what you accomplish.

The intention of this practice is to increase your energy, stretch your muscles, and focus your attention.  Be sure to maintain an even breath as you move through the practice.

I’d love to hear how the practice changes your life.

Look forward to my next post, which focuses on the Mind.