Time

One of my favorite yoga teachers was talking about the concept of time. We value our time and often are seeking ways to save time, make good use of time, have more free time etc. This week, try to cherish the gift of time by being fully present. When we are rushing or attempting to multi-task, we are not really present and we end up feeling stressed and scattered. It is easier said than done, but try to catch yourself when you start to rush, or when you are 'getting ahead of yourself' and not paying attention to what is right in front of you. Breathe, notice, and give your full attention to each task and see if it helps you feel a sense of calm and productivity and a greater appreciation for the little joys in life.

meditation

Recently I was reading an article on meditation in Yoga Journal. In the article it states "a meditation technique gives your mind a simple, repetitive task that will ultimately slow down its movements and lull it into a calm and even state." (page 100 February 2012)

There are lots of meditation techniques to try. Simply focusing on and following your breath is a way to slow down your thinking. Gazing at a flame from a candle or visualizing a calm scene can aid us in finding a quieter more meditative state. We will never stop our minds from thinking....instead, we simply hope to "quiet" the chatter a bit and be still.

Reminder

Just a reminder for my Monday yoga class....no yoga tomorrow for the Martin Luther King Jr Day Holiday. Do some stretching and practicing on your own....and do one small thing to make your world (your own home or your community) a more peaceful place.
See you next week!

Is Yoga Safe?

You may have seen news reports or read recent newspaper stories that outline all of the possible injuries that can result from yoga practice. Here's the way I see it: Here in the West (America) we are an intensely competitive group of people and we are pretty preoccupied with comparing ourselves and our bodies to those of others. Yoga, like any other activity, can cause those involved to push themselves "to be their best" and to try to master what appears to be the perfect yoga pose. Sadly, there are also lots of yoga teachers out there with limited training that do not provide options and modifications to students and they often teach to their strongest students rather than the beginners. All of this focus on complex and difficult physical postures (asanas) can lead to injury for students.

In actuality, yoga is not exercise! Yoga traditionally has been a practice for living. In a traditional yoga practice we are working on creating a calm mind, being present, and finding ways to link body/mind/spirit so that we can learn about and appreciate our true nature. Yoga recognizes that health in the body is important to our overall well being, so we stretch, bend and move to stay healthy, supple and ready to meet the challenges of everyday life. When we turn yoga into simply an exercise routine, we invite competition, pushing, comparisons, and thoughts about how many calories we may be burning into a practice that should be about finding peace, health and clarity.

What can be hard for all of us is to find a place of balance. We either give up and give the minimum effort, or we work at the other extreme, competing and pushing ourselves to our limits (or past them!).

As you practice yoga, consider how you can find that perfect balance between effort and ease. Let go of thoughts that lead you to believe that you "ought to" look or feel a certain way. Be patient...let your practice, your strength, and your flexibility improve over time. What's your hurry? Slow down, breathe...and feel content in this moment...just as you are! Namaste

It's January!

Time for new yoga sessions! It's not too late to get in on the fun. I have 2 new sessions starting: Thursday night January 5th is the first class of an 8 week session at All Saints Lutheran in Eagan and Monday January 9th is the start of a 6 week session at Advent United Methodist Church in Eagan. See the sidebar for more details. Please call or email me if you have additional questions!
651-681-1672
karenyogam@gmail.com
Hope to see you on the mat!
Karen