Sometimes it can be hard to find time in our schedules for yoga practice. Remember that you can do some simple yoga almost anywhere!! Your breath is available to you 24/7. No matter where you are, you can pause and take a minute or 2 and simply focus on deep belly breaths, taking air in through the nose and out. We often do not realize that we are breathing shallowly or clenching our jaw, or slumping in our chairs....but by taking a few moments each day to check in and truly notice how your body is feeling, you can begin to learn some healthier habits.
Any posture done seated on the floor in yoga class can usually be done at a desk chair as well. Give yourself a few moments to rotate your ankles and reach for your toes, or take an easy spinal stretch while gently holding the back of your chair. Taking time to go to yoga class and share in the other participants energy is always beneficial, but little snippets of breath work and stretching during your workday can bring some calm and reduce some stress when you need it most.
Have a peaceful day!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Full Powered Living Retreat
http://www.counselingandhealing.com/fullpoweredlivingretreat.aspx
Here is the link to an information and registration page for the Full Powered Living Retreat being held Saturday November 6th. Don't miss it!
Here is the link to an information and registration page for the Full Powered Living Retreat being held Saturday November 6th. Don't miss it!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
A field
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. Meet me there." Rumi
I ran across this quote today and it struck me because earlier this week I had attended a diversity training in which we talked about not needing to convince each other that our opinion or ideas were the "right" ones. This quote reminds me that in yoga, we seek to get in touch with our true nature, the divine that is in us....and in everyone else too.
I plan to consider these words of Rumi the next time I listen to TV news, or anywhere that people are working really hard to convince me that the world is somehow "us" vs. "them". I think there is a field between us....a place where we are the same and all is perfectly well.
May you have a balanced and peaceful day!
Karen
I ran across this quote today and it struck me because earlier this week I had attended a diversity training in which we talked about not needing to convince each other that our opinion or ideas were the "right" ones. This quote reminds me that in yoga, we seek to get in touch with our true nature, the divine that is in us....and in everyone else too.
I plan to consider these words of Rumi the next time I listen to TV news, or anywhere that people are working really hard to convince me that the world is somehow "us" vs. "them". I think there is a field between us....a place where we are the same and all is perfectly well.
May you have a balanced and peaceful day!
Karen
Monday, August 16, 2010
Home practice tips
I am frequently asked about yoga home practice by students. It can be a real challenge to begin a home practice and to know "where to start". I believe that any yoga done mindfully is helpful.....so start small, with just a few poses and stretches that you are familiar with and comfortable in...and go from there.
Just like anything else...the hardest part is starting! Just decide that you will take 5-10 minutes to move through some gentle yoga asanas (postures)...you may surprise yourself when you realize that you actually spent 20 or 30 minutes doing yoga!
If you have never done yoga before, I always recommend that people start in a class setting with an instructor and then move into using DVD's etc at home. They can be a wonderful tool, but many of the videos/DVD's move too quickly and do not provide many alternatives or modifications which help beginners feel successful and able to move safely through new postures and movements.
So...begin in mountain pose with a few breaths (in through the nose and out)...try a simple Warrior I and II and maybe a few other standing poses that you enjoy.....add in a balance pose and some stretching on the floor...and then feel good about the fact that you have done something to nurture your body mind and spirit. Over time, you will begin to crave the release and energy that yoga provides....and you'll be on your way to a daily yoga practice that works for you.
Just like anything else...the hardest part is starting! Just decide that you will take 5-10 minutes to move through some gentle yoga asanas (postures)...you may surprise yourself when you realize that you actually spent 20 or 30 minutes doing yoga!
If you have never done yoga before, I always recommend that people start in a class setting with an instructor and then move into using DVD's etc at home. They can be a wonderful tool, but many of the videos/DVD's move too quickly and do not provide many alternatives or modifications which help beginners feel successful and able to move safely through new postures and movements.
So...begin in mountain pose with a few breaths (in through the nose and out)...try a simple Warrior I and II and maybe a few other standing poses that you enjoy.....add in a balance pose and some stretching on the floor...and then feel good about the fact that you have done something to nurture your body mind and spirit. Over time, you will begin to crave the release and energy that yoga provides....and you'll be on your way to a daily yoga practice that works for you.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Hanging on to summer.....
I know it is still early in August, and most of us are not yet ready to think about fall...but wanted to provide the info on one of my fall yoga classes. Here are the details:
Gentle Yoga at Advent United Methodist Church
3945 Lexington Ave S, Eagan (by the Eagan Art House....between Wescott and Diffley on Lexington Ave)
4:30-5:30pm
Monday's Sept 13-October 18
$50 for a six week session
Call or email me if you have questions! You can register for the class by contacting me, or register with the Advent Methodist Church office.
Give yourself the gift of yoga this fall! Hope to see you all soon!
Peace,
Karen
karenyogam@gmail.com
Gentle Yoga at Advent United Methodist Church
3945 Lexington Ave S, Eagan (by the Eagan Art House....between Wescott and Diffley on Lexington Ave)
4:30-5:30pm
Monday's Sept 13-October 18
$50 for a six week session
Call or email me if you have questions! You can register for the class by contacting me, or register with the Advent Methodist Church office.
Give yourself the gift of yoga this fall! Hope to see you all soon!
Peace,
Karen
karenyogam@gmail.com
Friday, August 6, 2010
Hurry Up!
For most of this summer, I have felt a need to hurry. Instead of time to relax and reflect, I am out of my usual routine and have dealt with a whole series of ups and downs (graduations, death, sadness, celebrations, etc!). Now that it is August, things have calmed down just a bit. The only problem is...I am STILL racing around, feeling scattered and as though there are not enough hours in a day. Sometimes I am rushing....simply out of habit!
Yoga practice is one way that I can stop hurrying. I can slow down, be mindful of the moment, and even find some space to express gratitude and thanksgiving for my abundant blessings.
I plan to try to put the rest of August to good use....I certainly have an ongoing "to-do list", but I also want to use this last month of summer to rest, to relax, and to do my tasks with greater awareness and care. I'll let you know how it goes!!
Soak up some sun today!!
Peace,
Karen
Yoga practice is one way that I can stop hurrying. I can slow down, be mindful of the moment, and even find some space to express gratitude and thanksgiving for my abundant blessings.
I plan to try to put the rest of August to good use....I certainly have an ongoing "to-do list", but I also want to use this last month of summer to rest, to relax, and to do my tasks with greater awareness and care. I'll let you know how it goes!!
Soak up some sun today!!
Peace,
Karen
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