Yoga is like your toothbrush. This strange thought occurred to me when I was thinking of just how personal yoga is. So I pondered how and came up with 3 reasons why. Here there are:

1. Very Personal

How do you choose your toothbrush. Is it primarily according to the quality of your gum, how sensitive it is and the impact the bristles will have on your gum? Or do you fall for how attractive the handle is, the color, design, or advertising?

Like toothbrushes, there are many types of Yoga to choose from. In the texts of this ancient tradition we’ll find a type of yoga for different personality types. In the type of yoga that is mostly physical, Hatha Yoga, there are again many different styles.

Yoga is so personal that even when you have decided on a type and style of yoga, the way you practice has to be adjusted according to your body type, health, age, lifestyle, and to be balanced it helps to take into account the bigger picture of the season of year.

2. Designed for Cleansing

What are we cleaning when we practice? The body and mind. Cleansing practices include breathing or pranayama. Pranayama can be both powerful and heating like kapalabhati and breath of fire; and gentle like alternate nostril breathing, nadi shodhana. You can even break out in a sweat with certain seemingly gentle breathing practices.

Asana or posture practice is also cleansing. Twisting, flexing, extending, holding, combined with conscious breathing help to flush the system, physically, emotionally and mentally.

3. More Effective When Used Twice Daily

If you can create space to practice yoga twice daily, you will notice quite a difference in your state of mind and body. Practice to bring balance. Energize In the morning to get going. Bring calm and closure at the end of the day.

Practicing 10 minutes a day is more effective than 60 minutes once a week. If your current practice is once weekly and works very well for you, by all means stick to it. And consider how you could include a short daily practice to support your life’s journey even more.

Three questions to know your better:

1.What are my reasons for practicing yoga?

2. How does my body and mind feel after a yoga practice?

3. How do I adjust my practice according to my changing bodily needs?

What are your best things to know about yoga? I’d like to know.

Author

Heather Greaves helps yoga enthusiasts learn more yoga even though their only teacher is a book. “To learn more about something, teach it.” Since 2005 Heather has been training yoga teachers in a certified program. For more beginner tips visit Body Therapies Yoga Training at  http://www.yogatogo.com

“People get ready, there’s a new age coming, you don’t need no baggage you just get on board.“

What 3 mistakes prevent you from dropping mental or emotional baggage? How can yoga exercise and daily meditation practice help you drop baggage and march to a new age?

What 3 mistakes prevent us from dropping baggage and moving forward to a new age easily and with courage? How can a daily practice of yoga exercise and meditation bring courage?

Mistake #1 – Pointing Fingers – Whenever you are uncomfortable, unhappy or upset you point fingers and blame other people.  Whenever you blame someone for your troubles, your troubles instantly become heavier than they actually are.

Solution: Take personal responsibility for your response to what is happening.  “I take full responsibility for my response to this situation.”
Yoga Exercise: Breathe deeply for as long as it takes to begin to accept this thought, or totally accept it. Assume correct posture to increase breathing capacity as well as gain a courageous feeling. Start a daily meditation practice of at least 3 minutes of breath awareness.

Mistake #2 – Constantly Making Comparisons – You keep comparing yourself to other people and feel you are less than others. You don’t know your own strengths, or you forget to recall them. Instead you keep focusing on your weaknesses. Or on the other hand, you feel you are better than others. You keep seeing others weaknesses, as you take pride in your strengths. You create so many extra thoughts. Baggage!

Solution: Consider that each individual has a special place in the universe, a unique part to play, and gifts and talents to play the part.
Yoga Exercise: Practice 3 fundamental principles of yoga (self discipline, self-study, and surrender to the divine) to see reality. Be firm about your daily meditation practice, and read an inspirational book daily.

Mistake #3 – Thinking Your Thoughts Are Okay – You think that because no-one can know your thoughts, it is okay to think whatever you want. You think your criticisms affect no-one, and therefore it is alright.

Solution: Put a full stop to your thoughts, and practicing calming the mind.
Yoga Exercise: A daily meditation practice that controls all senses.

And now I invite you to a free instant download of a special daily meditation practice for a courageous spirit. You can practice this meditation right into the new age.

Share with me your thoughts on these points; I’d really like to know.  Simply use the comments section below.