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