1. Have a different kind of NYE party. Instead of strapping on those sparkly shoes and braving the city on New Year’s Eve, why not take some time to slow down? Invite loved ones to your home, and start the New Year with intention. You could share something about this year that you’re grateful for, and something that you’re hopeful next year will bring. You could even do a group meditation/chanting, or even some yoga if your friends are into…
1 – Be Kind. In the yogic tradition, being kind (a.k.a. ahimsa) is the first of the cardinal virtues. Being kind is something that we often think we understand, but it can be easily missed in practice. For instance, being kind isn’t just about being nice to other people. It’s about being nice to ourselves. How often do we give ourselves a much harder time than we’d give others? This year, make a point to be loving and understanding in…
During this time of the year, I often have students asking me how they can keep up a practice over the holidays. Some might find it hard to get the motivation, while others might not have the time. Whatever your plans are for the holidays, there are a few helpful things to remember when keeping up your yoga. You don’t have to prepare. Sometimes “planning” for your own yoga practice means setting a space, getting a mat, putting on the…
Whether the end of the year for you means planning and preparing for celebrations, or if it’s simply a time to wind things down, it’s always good to check your to-do list and see where you can add mindful practices. Be present. If a lot of your energy is focused on purchasing presents, take time to Be Present too. Reach out. Whichever way you spend your winter months, it’s always a good time at the turning of the year to…
Hangovers happen to the best of us – even yogis! Tis the season, after all. We know that making it to the mat the morning after a few Christmas drinks can be a bit of a challenge. So here it is – Yoga for hangovers! Our top 5 yoga poses for helping soothe your hungover head, tummy, and soul! Child’s Pose If a headache is what ails you, this baby is for you. Bring your knees out to around the…
We hear the word “mindfulness” all the time these days. For some people it’s a daily practice, and for others it’s on the to-do list. Here are a few beginner’s tips to remember when it comes to mindfulness: Start small. Sometimes all it takes to be mindful is to direct your attention from something big towards something small. The next time you’re consuming information, whether it be from a screen, or a tv, or anything else that feeds information to…
A couple of weeks ago, we went through all the incredible ways that a yoga practice can make you an even better runner over here. Now we’ll go into a little more detail on what poses in particular are really helpful to add to your routine to support your running, keeping you safe, strong, and flexible. 1. Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) Yep – that pose that pops up pretty regularly in almost every yoga class is there for…
You hear it after every yoga class. You might even say it. But do you know what it means? Namaste is a Sanskrit word which literally translates to “Salutation To You,” or an elaborated version, “The Divine In Me Bows To The Divine In You.” In its essence, it is a salutation. An acknowledgement of another. But it goes even deeper than that. Namaste is more than just saying “hello”. When someone says Namaste, the word itself carries the vibration of…
Savasanahhhh. Or the slightly more creepy English translation, Corpse Pose. That 5 or so minutes at the end of a yoga practice where you just let go. Lying down long on the mat, covered and cosy, arms and legs spread out, eyes closed, totally relaxed. Or sometimes maybe thinking about what you’re going to make for dinner when you get home. Hey, we’ve all been there. Sometimes Savasana is the pose in which we experience the most impatience or frustration….
