-
Three Tips for Your First Ashtanga Yoga Class
Ashtanga yoga can be an intimidating practice. While the ashtanga yoga method has grown in popularity, it’s still hard to come by in a studio setting. When I first ventured into Ashtanga most of what I learned was on my own in my home yoga practice. I followed along to YouTube tutorials and David Swenson’s Ashtanga Yoga Manual for years. By the time I finally had the chance to practice in a traditional Ashtanga yoga studio I was so nervous. Here are three tips for your first ashtanga yoga class! Start with Mysore Mysore class is a traditional style of teaching and learning Ashtanga yoga. Ashtanga yoga originated in Mysore India, hence the…
-
Benefits of Golden Milk, an Ayurvedic Tonic.
My first experience with Ayurveda was with golden milk. I discovered this sweet and spicy mixture in college and immediately became obsessed! While I initially used it to soothe a cough, I started drinking golden milk regularly. There’s something about a warm cozy drink in the evening with a good book that soothes the soul! Golden Milk and Ayurveda There are numerous benefits to drinking golden milk including, reducing inflammation, combating cold symptoms, and lowering blood sugar levels. Despite its recent popularity, golden milk is an age-old recipe. Juice bars, coffee shops, and even store shelves are filling up with this delicious, golden mixture! Golden Milk Ingredients & Their Properties Golden milk gets…
-
What is the Difference Between Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga?
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is one of the oldest texts that educates readers on the physical aspect of yoga, the yoga asana. Therefore, Hatha yoga has set the foundation for modern forms of the yoga asana we see today. Because of this, all forms of modern yoga could arguably fall under the branch of Hatha yoga. However, there are some key differences between Hatha yoga and the more popular Vinyasa style of practice. What is Hatha Yoga? Hatha means sun (ha) and moon (tha). The hatha yoga practice balances the right and left side of your body aka the solar and lunar energies. You can achieve this through asana, pranayama (breathwork) and meditation…
-
What is the Ashtanga Yoga Tristana Method?
Ashtanga yoga is structured, challenging, and quite frankly, not everyone’s cup of tea. However, aspects of the Ashtanga yoga system can easily be applied to various lineages of yoga. By adopting the tristana method used in Ashtanga you can greatly improve your overall asana practice. Using three points of focus, the tristana method draws your awareness inward to the divine, energetic experience of yoga asana. The Tristana Method Moving beyond a strictly physical practice, despite its challenging postures, the system of Ashtanga is careful crafted around the inner workings of asana. This can be observed using the focal points of the tristana method, the breath, bandhas, and gaze. These three tools create concentration…
-
Tapas: Stoking the Inner Fire
Tapas is one of the five niyamas of yoga, or moral disciplines that guide yogis in their daily practice. Translated to english, Tapas means to heat or shine. Not to be confused with agni, which is often used to describe the fire of purification created through the yoga practice (and also the name of the Hindu God of fire). Instead, tapas is the act of building the inner fire, it is a process of self discipline that ultimately leads to change. Tapas in the Physical Practice of Yoga Practicing the yoga postures is one of the easiest ways to feel tapas in action. While there are some styles of yoga that are cooling,…
-
Yoga Heart Openers for Backbend Prep
Heart and shoulder openers are probably my least favorite types of yoga postures. My shoulders and thoracic spine are not flexible, and I know I’m not alone. Most people have tight shoulders, whether it’s from poor posture, sitting at a desk all day, or strength training. Luckily there are many postures that tap into this space and can help you prep for your backbends. Here are my favorite yoga heart openers that stretch your shoulders and feel good too! Eagle Arms Eagle arms is one of the most underrated heart openers. It seems counterintuitive since your arms are closing off the front of your chest. However, by freeing up space through the back…
-
Create Your Own Home Yoga Practice
Having a solid routine and home yoga practice is a life saver when it comes to maintaining consistency and reaping the benefits of the practice. 2020 brought to light just how reliant most of us are on our studios and gyms, and left many feeling like they couldn’t keep up with their daily yoga routine. While it’s always nice to go to class to move and breathe with your fellow students, it can also be extremely limiting if that’s the only time you get to practice on your mat. Trust me, I know it’s always easier to have the accountability of your community and teachers, but as we learned form the pandemic, it’s…
-
20 Minute Meal Prep Recipe: Cabbage, Lentil & Sweet Potato Salad
This is my all time favorite meal prep for the week, It’s affordable, adaptable and super easy! Not to mention it’s packed with essential vitamins like vitamin A, K and C, which support your immune system. In this recipe, I use a simple olive oil dressing made with common condiments in my kitchen. However, you can use a store bought dressing, or use one of your favorite home recipes. Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need… One head of red cabbage – mid size Two-three heads of broccoli 1/2 a red onion One large sweet potato or 2-3 mid size ones One cup of cooked lentils Olive oil Ginger Lemon Salt and pepper to taste…
-
Yoga exercises to relieve stress and anxiety
With the world slowly returning to a new state of normal after the corona virus, it can all be a little overwhelming. New stresses and old stresses bubble up to the surface, and you might be feeling a little uneasy. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Millions of others are feeling the same anxiety surrounding our current state of affairs, and that’s normal. Don’t worry though, here are some yoga exercises to help you reduce anxiety and live in a post pandemic world. Mindful Breathing Breath is vital to our bodies. Not only does breath literally keep us alive by oxygenating our blood and organs, but it also plays an important role in cueing…
-
5 Tips For Your Meditation Practice
Lets face it, meditation can be an intimidating and illusive practice. One of the largest misconceptions about meditation is that it is an act of clearing your mind. The truth is, meditation will not prevent you from having thoughts. In fact, the harder you try to rid yourself of thoughts, the more challenging the practice of meditation becomes. Instead of approaching your meditation practice with the goal being a clear mind, let your intention be a focused mind. Whether you’re a daily meditator or totally new to the practice, here are five tips that will revolutionize the way you meditate! Before you start, I highly recommend investing in a meditation journal. This journal…
