Six Tips to Create More Presence in Your Home Yoga Practice
Mar 23, 2012
It’s dancing in the streets time here at YogaVibes – we have a guest post today from one of our fantastic teachers, Sarah Starr! Since 2001, Sarah, host of internationally syndicated “Happy Yoga with Sarah Starr,” has conducted classes such as “Power of Now” and “Breathing Peace” with thousands of people in national workshops and conferences. Her inspiring work has landed features in numerous local, national and international publications, radio and news segments. Sarah encourages her students to relax, breathe and smile, as they become the watchers of their thoughts, worries and distracting mind dialogue. “If you’re not having fun, you’re not BEing Yoga.” For more information on Sarah’s upcoming workshops, events and Happy Yoga, visit Sarah’s websites www.sarahspeaks.com and www.happyyoga.tv.
Take it away, Sarah!
Why is it so difficult to stick with a home yoga practice? Sure the dishes, laundry and dust bunnies are staring at you as you roll out the mat, but how important are they really? There are plenty of distractions in life, but taking time to nurture yourself enhances all other aspects of your well-being, and you’re worth it! Here are a few tips to create more presence wherever you decide to practice yoga…
- Create Space – All you need is enough space for a mat. Allow the mat to become a sanctuary, a place where you can come to and drop all the events of the day. Let it be a place where you let go of all judgment of yourself.
- Let Go of Excuses – Take time to do a mental housecleaning on all of your excuses. “I have too much else to do” and “If I take time for myself, nothing will get done,” used to be my old excuses to stay too busy. As the thoughts come up, ask the question, “Does this belief serve me?” If it doesn’t, you can choose to let it go.
- Commit to Yourself – Give yourself permission to enjoy your practice and let go of any guilt around taking time for yourself. The ego loves to keep us running with our lists of things to do. And the ego knows that if we do slow down and connect within, it will lose control.
- Connect to Your Breath – The breath is a wonderful resource for feedback. If it becomes short and choppy, you may be pushing too hard. If you find you’re holding your breath, back off and take an easier variation of the posture.
- Listen to Your Body – Notice any sensations before you begin your practice. The old saying of “no pain, no gain” is outdated. Before you begin, allow your awareness to move through your body like a wave, from your toes, to your head and back again. Feel your body in its entirety. Notice any areas that may feel tight or stuck. Stay tuned into these areas as you move through your practice. Honor your body and if you feel increased discomfort in these areas, back off or take time to rest.
- Just Start – Having a hard time convincing yourself to get on the mat? Give yourself permission to keep it short and simple and you will be more likely to begin. If I need an extra push, I trick myself by saying, “Just 10 minutes. Just get into down dog.” Before I know it, an hour has passed and I am thankful for the time I’ve taken for myself to reconnect and rejuvenate.
Each day will be different and your body’s needs will fluctuate as well. Connect within and do what’s right for you in the moment. Know even 10 minutes a day will help to release stress, tone and lengthen the muscles, leaving you with a sense of ease for the rest of the day. The main thing is to enjoy yourself and just begin!
Now, tell us why you love to practice yoga at home or what has helped you develop a home practice.
Sarah, thanks so much for contributing to our blog! Liked what Sarah had to say? Take a class with her, no matter where you are, by viewing her online yoga classes available on YogaVibes, filmed on the beach (!) near her home in Wisconsin…
Expand Your Potential, on the Beach! Hip Openers & Creative Core Lead to Flying Pigeon Pose
Hip Openers & Creative Core Lead to Flying Pigeon Pose
Detoxifying Twists, Tone the Core and Jump into Grasshopper Pose
Detoxifying Twists, Tone the Core and Jump Into Grasshopper Pose
“Christina’s World” – Hip Stretches with Sage Rountree
Mar 12, 2012
“Christina’s World” ~Andrew Wyeth, 1948
Release, relax, and open your hips as you brush up on your American art history in Sage Rountree’s new online yoga class. This short sequence (14 minutes) is perfect for after a workout or a long day. You’ll stretch your hips, back and chest from all directions. Relax into a prone twist; stretch the outer hip in a user-friendly variation on pigeon pose; release your hip flexors and chest in “wild camel,” and soften into cobbler pose both as a forward fold and as a reclining pose. Our starting position evokes the iconic Andrew Wyeth painting, “Christina’s World.”
Exploring Meditation – Online Yoga Videos
Mar 6, 2012
For many of us, meditation is one of the most difficult practices to begin. Without helpful guidance, it feels impossible to quiet the incessant chatter going on in your head. Today, we’re highlighting four online meditation videos found on YogaVibes. Choose the one that best fits your time, mood, and desire, and begin to experience the benefits of meditation take flower in your life. (Can you tell we’re ready for spring?)
First, from Wanderlust 2011, Kia Miller’s Radiant Body: Mind and Meditation. The mind exists as a servant to the soul, but the mind is also a vast mechanism with its own characteristics and momentum. In order to access the Self, we must master the mind. Kia will help guide you to explore techniques to break habits and purify the mind. Learn about your mental tendencies as you navigate inner space. This 100 minute class is a must for any student of meditation.
If you’re in the mood for something a little shorter, try Annie Carpenter’s hour long Relax, Breathe, and Sit. You’ll learn several calming breathing techniques, and finish with a 15 minute guided meditation on cultivating your inner witness.
If you’re looking to heat things up, or you’re in the mood for a smaller dose of meditation (21 minutes), try Jeanne Heileman’s Radiance of Your Inner Fire Meditation. According to Tantra, we have two fires in our belly. One, Jathara Agni, is needed to help us digest our food and process emotion. The other, Bhuta Agni, is a spiritual fire that burns our negative karmas, samskaras, and helps us access the Divine energy that dwells within us. This is why some spiritual souls are so bright: their inner fire is shining. This meditation begins with Nadi Sodhana and Pranna Shuddhi, to access the Third Eye, the eye that sees what we are meant to see. This Inner Light moves down to the Manipura Chakra where you are invited to feel the power of your inner flame and perhaps, become that flame. When we do this, we can be the light for others.
Finally, maybe you haven’t signed up for your 15 day free trial and you’d like to try one of our free online yoga videos. We suggest Cora Wen’s 15 minute guided meditation. Cora’s gentle voice, calm guidance, and rich history help you create a space of serenity in the midst of a hectic day.
New “Honest Effort” Yoga with Sage Rountree
Feb 27, 2012
Continuing with Sage Rountree’s new online yoga series, today’s class builds upon the foundations introduced in last Wednesday’s class, further exploring the concept of safely exploring your edge. Many athletes are conditioned to push as hard as possible, ignoring bodily cues of pain and discomfort. Similarly, many beginner yoga students are unused to differentiating between a comfortable edge of exertion and overdoing. Sage’s classes will help you safely tune into your body’s signals, improving your athletic performance and overall quality of life.
In this online yoga class for athletes and everyone, you’ll look at ways to put out an honest effort, without holding back but without overdoing it. Moving through Sun Salutations, core planks, and lunges, you’ll find the appropriate edge while building self-awareness for sports and life.
New Yoga for Athletes with Sage Rountree
Feb 22, 2012
Are you new to yoga? Athlete or no, this class is perfect for you!
As you begin to learn more about yoga, you’ll probably hear the term “ahimsa” used frequently, and you may think to yourself, “What the heck is that?” Simply put, ahimsa means “to do no harm”, but the implications of this tenant reach much further than one may initially think. Just remember, yoga is a lifelong process of learning – you don’t need to figure it all out at once!
In Sage Rountree’s newest online yoga class for athletes (and everyone), you’ll work towards discovering the appropriate edge of intensity, and how to apply the idea of ahimsa to yourself and your practice. Learn how to protect yourself from harm in poses by making wise choices. You’ll move through Sun Salutations and a fun core challenge before exploring the edge in IT band and groin stretches, finishing with backbends and relaxation.
Explore YogaVibes’ Free Yoga Videos
Dec 3, 2011
Whether you’re new to yoga or have been practicing a long time, there’s always room for your understanding to grow. That’s why we’ve gathered an extensive library of free yoga videos – short, instructional bits that allow our teachers time to dive into the intricacies of alignment, technique, breathing, or meditation. And because yoga doesn’t have to be so serious, some teachers take the opportunity to be playful and show you a fun sequence.
We’re always adding new videos to our collection – new today from Anusara teacher Sarah Faircloth: uttanasana, or standing forward bend. Chances are you’ll find this pose show up multiple times in your practice. Take a few minutes to watch Sarah’s video and see if you notice a difference next time you try it!
Love Sarah’s style? You’re in luck! We’re thrilled to be filming Sarah regularly, so watch for more free videos and online yoga classes from Sarah soon!
New Online Yoga for Athletes Class – Focus on the Hips – on YogaVibes
Dec 1, 2011
Join Sage Rountree in her newest Yoga for Athletes class on YogaVibes, just posted today!
In this online yoga class for athletes and everyone, you will work your whole body, with a particular focus on the hips. You’ll stretch and strengthen your feet in standing balance poses, work your core and shoulders in planks and bows, and unwind in a lovely reclining hip-stretch sequence at the end.
Check back frequently to view Sage’s weekly yoga classes. If you are new to YogaVibes, check out Sage’s growing library of full-length classes and shorter sequences.
Click on the video below to see this week’s Yoga for Athletes Class: Whole-ly Hips.
Yoga for Athletes Class: Whole-ly Hips
New Online Yoga Class with Prana Flow Teacher, Adri Kyser, on YogaVibes
Nov 28, 2011
We are honored to announce our partnership with Adri Kyser, one of only a few Prana Flow® certified teachers, and the only teacher leading Prana Flow® Teacher Training Modules in the Dallas, Texas area. Adri credits Shiva Rea for re-awakening the natural flow and spontaneous movements in her body, practice, and life.
In Adri’s first online yoga class with YogaVibes, entitled Awaken the Flow, she will guide you to explore and discover your unique internal rhythm and flow. This 55-minute practice will help you let go of your inhibitions, allowing you to find the natural and innate flow of your personal practice. To learn more about Adri, visit her website www.innerbeautyyoga.com.
Check out Adri’s Awaken the Flow video below and let us know what you think!
Awaken the Flow with Adri Kyser
Free Online Yoga Breathing (Pranayama) Practice with Annie Carpenter
Nov 19, 2011
Have you ever wondered why it is that we practice ujjayi pranayama during most yoga practices? Maybe you’ve never really stopped to wonder why, but you sure would like to know more about how to perform this warming breath.
Enjoy a free online yoga video (just click on the image below) from Annie Carpenter, in which she explains the how and why of ujjayi pranayama, otherwise known as victorious breath or ocean breath. Let us know what you think!
Ujjayi Pranayama Video with Annie Carpenter
