I am remembering..

The benefits of my asana practice.. OK so I hadn't ever forgotten, but as you (may) know there are 8 limbs of yoga and I ebb and flow as to where my (hyper!) focus is most prominent. Sometimes I focus on meditation and yoga nidra when I can feel myself being carried away by external stresses and worries and I notice myself more reactive, self critical or overwhelmed; at other times I will focus on pranayama, working with the breath to support physical cleansing and balancing or shifting of energies within. 

Recently I have returned back to my daily hatha asana practice as the favourite limb of yoga for now (though I still meditate daily, it might not be for as long as currently movement meditation suffices). 

Whilst being quite consumed with yin after taking further training last year it feels so welcoming to get back onto my mat for some good old hatha. 

For yoga teachers it is often our own practice that reduces as we are busy planning for other people and helping to support your physical and emotional needs and stepping on the mat can feel like "planning" or evaluation. So it is important to keep that flow going just  for ourselves and I am finding it is just what I need to support my own personal life challenges and circumstances right now. 

Not only does our asana practice help to soothe our aching bodies, support realignment of our spine, iron out those kinks and niggles and show us how strong and connected we are. Our asana practice takes us into our bodies, showing us what is here, how we are; guiding us to appreciate and be thankful but not afraid to let go of what we no longer need (even if we are not fully aware of what that is). 

Our practice shows us when to stand firm, be rooted, grounded, and when lightness, flexibility and a less rigid approach might suit us. For me I feel so much more connected to others and to whatever the wider "other" is when I have committed to spend time on my mat, and/or in meditation.

So whilst I of course encourage you to come to as many classes as you possibly can (!) why not roll your mat out in your lounge or the garden and have a breathe or a play? See how it feels to enjoy yoga without any instructions or guidance and notice how your body naturally moves and listen to what your body has to say - you might be surprised by what you hear.

You can follow a sequence, free flow, practice a particular shape that you love or be curious as to why there are some asana you don't like so much or find your body and mind resisting (hi, gate pose from me).

To remind yourself of all the other amazing benefits of yoga please do come along to one of my classes! Your first class with me is FREE and classes are full of people just like you and me. You will be most welcomed.