Everyone has days when they question themselves and misplace the drive and determination they once had. 

There are days when I need something to lift my spirits and give me reassurance that what I am doing is right. 

Today, one of my students said she wasn’t going to be back.  Of course I asked why?  She was feeling discouraged about her growth from yoga and questioning if it was really doing her any good.

It is always difficult hearing my student’s struggles but it is human nature to feel disheartened when things are not the way imagined.  I listened to her concern and just asked her to take some time to reflect on her journey thus far and be grateful for how far she had come from beginning a few months ago.  She said she would and left with a smile. 

I have a feeling after reflecting she will be back.

Everyone gets down sometimes, I even question things once in a while.  I have put together some of my inspiration to keep my disciple and will power strong in questioning times.

If you are feeling like what you are doing isn’t benefiting you or feeling like you can’t get better, you can.  Please just take time to reflect and read what inspires me, maybe it will inspire you as well.

• There are no competition or judgment in Yoga.
• The past has no power over the present moment.
• The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.
• Yoga is not about self-improvement. It’s about self-acceptance.
• When you make a choice, you change the future.
• The quieter you become, the more you can hear.
• The attitude of gratitude is the highest Yoga.
• The mind is above time and space. If you decide not to complain it will immediately compensate you with intuition. 

When new students come to my yoga class they usually comment on the subtle scent of my lobby area.

I use aromatherapy to set the mood and energy through oil extracted from plants. 

I see students and other friends and families mood change when I have my oils out.  The sense of smell connects with the part of your brain that controls emotion, making it a great way to set the energy and aura of the room.

Oils and incense have been used for centuries in spiritual traditions like yoga.  Frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood were used to elevate the mood for devotional practices and meditation.  I find that using similar oils help me and my students engage mind, body, and spirit.

Here are a few incense I use that can lift moods and make other emotions apparent.

To focus and center use-

• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Petitgrain
• Rosemary

To energize-

• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Peppermint
• Pine

To soothe and relax-

• Cedar
• Orange
• Rose
• Sandalwood

I use incense in my home to help my partner and me unwind from a busy day or just help relax.  It helps connect with ourselves and with each other.  I also believe it encourages emotional release by calming our nervous system.  We often feel more tranquil and peacefulness when we are burning incense.

I believe that incense and oils have a healing effect on humans.  It is a peaceful act that allows your senses to engage deeper within your practice and your spirituality.  Incense transport me into a more profound spirituality.  I am able to come closer to finding peace and harmony from within.

Essential oils can inspire your practice and set the tone for your day.  I encourage you to try using incense or oils in your home for mood and energy setting.

Namaste.

Yesterday I held my once a month yoga class for children.  It always brings me so much joy seeing mini yogi’s working to master some poses.  I truly believe that yoga is great for every one of all ages, sizes, or backgrounds.  It is about exploring and learning about yourself and feeling comfortable in your body. 

Children are no different from adults and can learn so much from yoga.  Here are some benefits from children receive from practicing yoga.

•    Yoga is able to teach us about our bodies in a very unique and great way.  When exercising it is easy to learn how to move freely with ease and awareness of our bodies.  Learning about our body is good for kids and adults of all ages.
•    One huge aspect of yoga is breathing and learning to relax, children can benefit immensely from this.  Learning how to breathe and relax at a young age helps children in the long run.  We bring peacefulness and energy to our bodies from breathing.
•    Yoga teaches how to quite the mind and be still.  Learning this skill as a child can lead to making better decisions and staying focused.  In stressful times, quieting the mind is essential in relaxation and decision making.
•    Leaning that we are the boss of our own bodies provides us with the power to know what our bodies can and can’t handle.  In yoga we listen to our bodies and modify or change poses to better suit specific body needs.
•    The most important thing children of all ages can learn from yoga is to take care of our bodies, minds, and spirits.  The physicality of yoga promotes a healthy lifestyle that can stay with children throughout their lives.

Besides all the wonderful things these children are getting out of the yoga class, they have taught me things I would not have learned without their help.  The little things really mean the most, and being with them allows me to realize that on a deeper level.  Children do what feels right for them without judgment. 

Here are some simple life lessons I am so grateful I learned from kids in yoga.

•    It is okay to color outside of lines- meaning to be yourself and not fitting the mold
•    Laugh out loud
•    Ask as many questions as you need to learn
•    Anything is possible, dream big
•    Live in the moment
•    Sharing is caring
•    Sing and hold hands
•    Show affection when you love something
•    Make time for “play time”
•    And smile, it makes others happy

Whenever I get the chance to work with children I look at it as instilling values that can carry with them forever.  I like hearing from the kids that they like to do yoga with their friends at recess or that they do it alone when they get mad.  Yoga has the power to guide young souls in the right direction of the world.

Namaste.



Anita

I think writing is an exceptional way to express your thoughts, feelings, and daily activities.  I love writing to share my beliefs and activities with you and I write a personal journal to express more intimate facts about my life.



Expressing and feeling emotions on paper is good for personal growth and helps remind me to focus on what really matters.  Here is a list about why I write.

1.    Ever had a great idea and by the time you had time to take action you forgot it?  That happens to me all the time.  I keep a notepad in my purse and in just about every room of the house just in case I get a life changing idea.

2.    Writing my goals and dreams down is so important to me.  I find that written goals bring clarity and focus to the steps I need to accomplish them.  It is also a reminder to keep working on it every day because I see in written every day I open up my journal.

3.    I write down what is important to me and what I need to focus on that day and that week.  It is so easy to get caught in the hustle and bustle of society and forget priorities and what I want to accomplish.

4.    When things upset me, instead of bottling it up inside, I write it down.  I feel so much better after I explain the situation in detail in my journal.  It is a good way to accept a disagreement and move on.  I find this a good tactic when there is a reoccurring situation that is upsetting, I release all my emotion and am able to continue on my day without it hindering my mind.

5.    I journal for pleasure.  There is nothing better than writing about your feelings, emotions, ideas, and daily activities.  I use my blog to express myself and my beliefs.  My journal is more of an intimate writing that only I see.  I share my deepest aspirations, goals, fears, and everything in between.

I write to feel alive, to share experiences with others, to help people in need, to do my part to inspire the world, and to discover meaning.  To me, writing is an extension of my physical life that will be able to be accessed for many years. 

Why do you write?

Namaste.

Anita

It’s been a couple months since my sister started taking yoga classes.  The first couple months she would call me right after class and be so amazed at the things she was able to achieve.  But, the calls of excitement have turned into calls of frustration.  “Why am I not getting any better? I don’t think I can do I can get better? Maybe yoga isn’t for me?”  I hear these questions of frustration all the time. 

I stressed to her that yoga is a journey and not something that happens overnight.  It is important not to focus on the destination, but embrace every moment of the journey.




Yoga is a journey towards increased awareness and acceptance of the way things are around you.  Learning to free yourself from usual pressures of society is a big step in yoga growth. 

When starting yoga it is common to see great developments quickly, and then have it followed by a plateau where it feels like you’re not gaining anything more.  It is important to remember how far you have come.

Yoga strengthens your mind, body, and spirit are key components in the journey.




I had a difficult time in the beginning of my journey with letting go of a future-focused mindset and being results oriented.  When I finally tapped into the collective spirit and energy of yoga, I learned how to release all social responsibility while I am on my mat.

If you are like my sister and feeling discouraged about yoga, or if there is something else you are having trouble achieving, know that everything in life is a journey and that’s what makes getting there that much more worth it.  There is a destination upon arriving in each moment along the journey.  Every moment is a step towards a greater destination.

Namaste.

I am fortunate I get to spend my day teaching yoga classes and tending to my own needs.  Not everyone is as fortunate as I am though.  One of the frequently asked questions by my students are about ways to distress during a long day at the office.  Some of my students spend countless hours sitting at a desk staring at a computer causing tension and discomfort.  Sitting for a prolonged amount of time can lead to imbalances in your body and cause poor posture and injury down the road.



From listening to others talk about office life, it is clear that the body gets sore throughout the day from fatigue, tension, and stress.  I believe incorporating yoga and stretches into a sedative office job will make your day go by faster and leave the office not feeling so stressed.

Here are a few poses that don’t demand much time and can be done in spurts throughout the day to take time to rejuvenate.  You don’t even need to leave your cubicle to do them either.

1.    Neck Stretch- Place your right hand on your head and gently pull your head down toward your right ear.  You should feel the stretch on the left side of your neck.  Inhale and exhale for three long slow breaths.  Release and go back to center.  Then repeat on the opposite side.


2.    Seated Twist- Keep your hips evenly placed in your chair and your knees in line with another.  Inhale and place your left hand on your right knee.  As you exhale, engage the lower abdomen and twist with the upper part of your spine.  Place your right hand behind your back on the chair.  Release and go back to center.  Then repeat on the opposite side.


3.    Forward Fold with a Twist- Keep both hips embedded in your chair, hinge forward with a long spine.  Place your left fingertips to the floor underneath your left shoulder as you inhale.  Exhale slowing and twist to the right with your upper body, reaching the extended right arm towards the ceiling.  Bring your gaze up towards your right fingertips.  Release back to seated and then repeat on the opposite side.


4.    Modified downward facing dog- Stand up, hinge at your hips and lengthen your arms across your desk and press your palms downward.  Try keeping your legs straight to feel a stretch in your hamstrings, and open up your shoulders and chest.


5.    Seated Forward Bend- Keep both hips planted on your chair and your feet flat on the floor.  Interlock your fingers behind your back, bend forward and raise your arms while keeping fingers locked.  Rest your chest on your thighs and relax your neck down for 3-5 deep breaths. 



I hope these yoga poses help break up your day and keep you less stress while you are in the office.  Keep your mind, body, and spirit intact throughout your day.

Namaste.

I often get emails and phone calls from people who want to begin taking my class asking what to wear.  This morning after teaching my yoga class I stopped by a few stores to pick up new yoga clothes and I figured the topic of yoga apparel would be a great post to share.

My suggestion is to wear something form fitting and comfortable.  After all, you only get out of what you put in to it. 




When decided what to wear, it all depends on the yoga class and how rigorous it is going to be.  When I am doing power yoga or Bikram yoga, I sweat a lot.  I wear clothes that wick away sweat and keep me cool.  I would suggest something similar to the sweat wicking fabrics you would wear when running.

Baggy t-shirts are okay for men, but I always suggest women were a tight fitting top so that it won’t flip inside out when doing inversions.  Tucking in a baggy shirt can be dangerous and poses a risk of falling.  It is important to wear something comfortable but tight enough it won’t distract you.


It is also important that women wear a conservative tops and bottoms that aren’t see-through.  Wearing something low cut could be risky when doing inverted poses.  And wearing thin pants can give everyone a show behind you.

When purchasing clothes to practice in, there is no need to splurge on big labels.  Here are some of my favorite places to get yoga apparel:

•    Nike- I have always loved Nike for athletic clothing.  They have good quality clothing that won’t hinder your yoga experience.  They also have a new line called Nike Studio Wrap Pack, it is a footwear that helps give more traction and protection if you are having a difficult time holding poses for a long period of time. 


•    Old Navy- There are few places to buy workout clothes that are as affordable as Old Navy.  Most of their work out gear is under $30, and they also have petite, tall, and plus size options.


•    Target- Here is another store that won’t break your budget.  You will find a wide selection of tops and bottoms adequate for yoga.  The clothing often goes on sale too.


•    Nordstrom- Nordstrom sells just about everything, including workout clothes.  They offer a wide selection of brands for whatever you are looking for, at many price points.


You can find yoga and fitness apparel at plenty of stores.  I don’t wear a single brand, I wear clothes that fit and won’t hinder my practice.  It’s not necessary to go out and spend a fortune on clothes.  Find clothes that fit and feel comfortable.  Yoga isn’t about looking good, it is about feeling good and creating a healthy mind, body, and spirit. 

If you have any other questions about beginning yoga, don’t hesitate to ask.  I want to create a positive and open environment everywhere I go, including this site.

Namaste.

As per my sister, Amanda’s request, I am going to share some tips on beginning yoga.  She has never taken a class before and wants to begin practicing after seeing how much yoga has affected my life.  Just get over the nerves about going to the first class and you’re in the clear.
When I went to my first yoga class, I had no idea what to expect.  I was nervous and didn't want anyone to watch me.  After that class, I had no desire to go back, I wasn't that good at it and I felt like everyone was watching me.  But when I stepped out of the studio and looked at the world around me, I felt something so extraordinary and unexplainable.  Since that first class I have never looked back, and made yoga and the way it made me feel an essential part of my life.


Here are some points I had to tell myself when I first began and what I recommend to my sister Amanda:
1. Remember there is no such thing as being “good at yoga”- Yoga is not something to be “good” at, it is a practice that helps to more deeply explore ourselves while learning to quite the mind.  There is so much pressure in today’s society to be perfect and get it right, but while participating in a yoga class each person has to keep the eyes closed and become the only one in the room.
2. Don’t think, just practice- When I first started yoga, just talking about going, usually made me make excuses to actually not go.  Just don’t think about going, get there, and forget everything else.  Actually showing up is the hardest part.
3. NO ONE IS JUDGING YOU- Being nervous the first couple classes are a given.  Know that in yoga, everyone is focusing on themselves and not concerned what everyone else is doing.  Just breathe, and let the mat be a personal sanctuary.
4. Listen to your body- Yoga can be challenging at first if you have never done anything like it.  Just ease in!  The way you treat your body during a practice, is a representation about how you take care of your body otherwise. When muscles are not as flexible, take time and focus on giving them what they need and let each breath get you closer to the goal.  Just listen to your body, you know what you can and cannot do.
5. Practice non-judgment, patience, and presence- Make the decision to go into every practice with an open mind and open heart.  Don’t judge yourself or decide that it is not happening or working.  Instead, welcome yoga and let each pose and breathe transport you to somewhere new.  Understanding the body’s limits works towards strengthening it from the inside, out.
And if you are still nervous about going to a yoga class, like I know my sister is?  Try doing a video at home.  There are hundreds and probably even thousands of beginner yoga classes online.  Try one at home, but it is even more important to listen to your body when at home.  If yoga is something new, there is a higher risk of getting hurting because poses might not be practiced correctly.  Take it slow and build up confidence to participate in a yoga class.
Here is a YouTube channel that is really good at easing into yoga for beginners. Click here  I would love be able to instruct everyone, especially my sister, but distance doesn't allow.



Beginning a yoga class may seem daunting, but I promise, just open your heart and allow a complete change in your mind, body, and spirit.  I know you will do amazing Amanda and everyone else how tries yoga for the first time. Good luck!

Namaste.