-
Yin and Restorative: Types of Yoga Part 3
Six styles of practice in the books! Are you taking notes…? We have four more styles to go, and from here on out, I will group them in pairs. Of course, there are many, many more styles of Yoga than just the ones I’m talking about. However, I chose these styles out of all the rest because of their increasing popularity in the West. So today, we’re talking about Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga. Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga are often confused for the same style of practice. While there are similarities, such as the use of props and longer holds, Yin and Restorative are vastly different. While they are two separate practices, the asana…
-
The Heart of the Yoga Practice and the Purpose of the Asana
Yoga was created thousands of years ago as a form of meditation and liberation. Traditionally, there are eight limbs to the Yoga practice and the asana, or Yoga postures, are just one of those eight limbs. With the commercialization of Yoga and the modern emphasis on the physical aspect, the origional intention and the philosophies of the practice have been overshadowed. Consequently, many modern practitioners enter the yoga practice from a physical standpoint. That is why, as students and teachers of the practice, it is important for us to share every aspect of yoga, and how they physical practice aids us both on and off our mat. What are the Yoga Asanas? The…
-
5 Tips for New Yoga Students
Being a new student on your yoga mat is intimidating, but we’ve all been there. Don’t let your fear of judgment or lack of flexibility keep you from going to the studio to practice. Most of your fellow students in the room will be too wrapped up in their own practice to worry about yours. If you’re still a little hesitant though, Don’t worry – here are five tips for your first yoga class! 1. Do your research on each yoga class there are many styles of yoga, each with their own benefits. When you first start your yoga, look into multiple styles of practice to see what fits your needs. Do you…
-
Stepping Into Mindfulness and Meditation
Meditation plays a large part in the practice of yoga and can have many benefits if you practice consistently. While meditation can seem mysterious and ethereal, when you get down to the nitty-gritty, it requires more willpower and patience than anything. Meditation is a way to train your brain, focus your mind, and clear out the junk gathered from daily life. Rather than emptying the mind of all thoughts (which if you’ve ever tried is actually really hard) you simply let your thoughts come and go like clouds in the sky. It is almost impossible to stop your brain from thinking, but it is possible to observe your thoughts without attaching to them.…
