How To Develop A Great Relationship With Your Yoga Teacher

Your yoga teacher can help you soar if you let them. Developing a trusting and reciprocal relationship is key to your success on the mat. Take note of our tips to earn the respect of your instructor and keep that trust strong. 

Take their advice

Yoga teachers spend hours learning the best way to teach you. If they offer you advice, it may be because they can see you struggling or that you might be about to hurt yourself. Whilst it might be difficult to hear that you haven’t quite reached into your favorite pose correctly, you’ll be grateful when you’re moving even more easily. 

Ask questions

If you’re not sure that you’ve got a pose right, want to check the name of the movement you couldn’t quite complete today, or if you’re not sure which style of yoga is for you, ask your teacher. They are there to help and would always prefer that you asked instead of battling on in silence. 

Show up on time and be open to trying

We’ve all been there. We’re just moving into the first difficult pose of the session and trying to breathe when someone runs into class late, unfurls their mat, and tries to maneuver themselves into the same configuration without instruction. Yoga is a practice and your teacher has planned it carefully for you. Respect this by being polite enough to arrive on time. Be open to trying even the most challenging of poses. Your teacher will not mind if you cannot achieve it the first time, but they’ll be pleased that you tried. 

Don’t roll up your mat during Shavasana

Just as you want to show up on time, avoid leaving early. Shavasana is the perfect ending to a yoga class as you allow yourself to enter a completely relaxed state whilst fully awake. You might be thinking that you need to get to work or that you want to be out of the car park first, but that’s no reason to cut your practice short or disrespect your teacher. 

Respect the space

Even in the most energetic yoga practice, you are still engaging in a moment of spirituality. Having a chat at the back of the room as you move into pigeon pose is rude to your teacher and to the other students. Avoid this as it may damage the relationship you are aiming to build. Likewise, this isn’t a time to be on your phone. Put the emails and gossip to the back of your mind for an hour, be present and fully embrace your yoga time. 

Tell them if you are injured

This is so important. You probably want to impress them but this should not come at the expense of your health. If you are injured or not feeling well, let your teacher know so that they can adapt the class to your needs.

Follow our advice and you’re sure to create a long-lasting relationship with any teacher that will help you to become the best yogi you know!

10 Gift Ideas for Yogis

Yoga is about more than just working out; it’s a lifestyle. For the yogi in your life, a yoga-related gift is a perfect present for birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. Your gift will be cherished and likely get a lot of use if you choose the right thing. Don’t know what to get for the yogi in your life? Here are 10 ideas to get you started!

Yoga Mat Bag 

Everyone who regularly attends yoga class needs a yoga mat bag. Most classes provide yoga mats, but you should have your own that you keep clean and use only for yourself which means you also need a way to carry it! Find a nice yoga mat bag with a comfortable strap and a pouch for carrying small items such as keys.

Funny Yoga Shirt 

Show off your sense of humor with a women’s workout shirt or tee with a funny yoga-related saying like “I’m just here for the Savasana” or “Namaste in Bed.”

Cute Mug 

Yogis tend to be big tea drinkers, but this is also a great gift for coffee lovers or the yogi who enjoys a mug of warm water and lemon. Find a yoga-related mug like one covered in yoga poses or another funny saying like “Yoga Junkie.”

Fun Leggings 

For yogis who practice daily, the same black leggings get boring day after day. Give the yogi in your life a fun new pair of leggings that will put a smile on their face every time they wear them. Choose something in a bright color or fun pattern to add something new to their yoga wardrobe.

Beautiful Journal

A journal is a great gift for yogis. It gives them a place to track their yoga practice and progress, a place to journal, and a travel journal for recording all of their adventures. Select a beautiful journal in a calming color or a handmade leather journal for a thoughtful luxury gift.

Handmade Jewelry

There are several yoga-inspired jewelry brands out there offering beautiful and meaningful jewelry for yoga lovers. Find a cute, handmade jewelry piece for your loved one to sport around on and off the yoga mat.

Yoga Pose Cookie Cutters

This unique gift will be sure to put a smile on the face of the yogi you give it to. Most yogis are health conscious but everyone loves to splurge on a cookie every now and then, making yoga pose cookie cutters a fun and entertaining gift.

Travel Yoga Mat

If the yogi in your life loves to travel for business or pleasure, a travel yoga mat can make the perfect gift. It should be a lightweight mat that doesn’t take up much room in a suitcase so that they can always take it on the go.

Yoga Accessories

For someone who is new to yoga or looking to expand their practice, yoga accessories can make the perfect gift. Choose items such as a yoga block or a beautiful meditation pillow to elevate their home practice.

Yoga Retreat

If you really want to splurge on a thoughtful gift for the yogi in your life, book them on a yoga retreat. The options are endless for rejuvenating and stimulating yoga retreats both stateside and internationally.

Where to Find Inspiration in the Hustle and Bustle of Bigger Cities

Living in or visiting bigger cities can at times feel overwhelming. But even within the hustle and bustle, there are so many calming instances if you wish to find them.

I grew up in a tiny town that has eight thousand inhabitants, but I lived in much bigger cities with millions of people for years. I then not only returned back to the small town, but moved out to the country in an attempt to have a self-sustainable lifestyle (which is still an ongoing attempt).

But given my place of upbringing and the fact that the place where I felt driven to was out in the country, it is no secret that I enjoy massive amounts of greenery, fresh air, clear skies, and possibly the sound of crickets at night. So, wherever I moved around the globe, I would always look for instances that reminded me of home.

Some might be obvious and others surprising, but there is so much inspiration around us if only we let it speak to us.

1. Parks

Because they usually have lots of greenery and relaxed vibes that come along.

I like to find parks that include a lot of regional greenery, as with it comes the history of the place. And nature speaks its story so eloquently.

Parks are a great escape to nature within cities. They are also nice as they offer plenty of shade during warmer months and are usually whimsical during autumn and winter time, but not to overlook the smell of spring that accompanies the longer days and offers light to spend even more time outside. Not only the modern parks but parks have had fitness “equipment” incorporated for a long time and outdoor activities are not on the rise, they are just on the market more than they used to be. Now walking, running, slack line walking, fitness or yoga are all great forms of exercises to do in a park. When I go to the park I always try to wear yoga leggings that are green or blue because these colors are soothing


2. Traffic

It might sound like a juxtaposition to the point which I’m trying to convey, but there is a special charm in observing the nature from afar, slipping by the windows or by seeing nature literally hit you in the face with a summer shower or just listen to the rain hit the roof. Not to mention the scenic drives along the sea. Traffic hides weird beauty within itself, as it has endless possibilities to where it can take you. It might not give you instant options to workout unless you bike or run, but it will definitely get you to different places where you can do so.


3. Sports venues

Like stadiums, outdoors trails, ice rings in winter. If you’re interested in sporting events there will be always people like you buzzing around the same venues. Depending on whether you’re participating in the game or not, you are getting some movement in. But even as a spectator, you might find inspiration to do some sports for yourself, too.


4. Street musicians

I am talking the kind of street musicians that blend with the city. That don’t brag for your money, but rather tell you a story. Because they are bold to wear their heart on their sleeve. I usually find them exuding such joy that I would gladly dance the night away with them. And dancing is also a great way of getting some cardio in while on the go.


5. Look up to the sky, enjoy the architecture, its details and wildlife above it. 

As hectic as it might feel walking the streets of bigger cities, the skies constantly remind us that nature is all around us. Plus stretching your neck is a rather overlooked yet important stretch that will send some fresh blood to your brain and possibly make it spark new ideas. The looking up pose furthermore implies that we are searching for inspiration, so it is just suitable.

The charm of finding inspiration in any of those is to take a detail and make it an instance.  I might look at things in more abstract ways than you’re used to, but if you want to make your health journey count, you first need to have a strong reason why your goals matter to you. Then you need to spark an interest for completing your daily tasks. So, you might as well look around and see if anything there gets you moving. Just look at those beautiful images, it can be your reality.

Strengthening Mommy+Baby Connection through Yoga

The joy of being a mom is one of the greatest achievements a woman can have. If you’re a physically active person, this can put you at a crossroads. Now, you have to decide whether to continue your routine with your little one around or to not practice at all due to certain circumstances. Allowing your baby to be a part of your regular Yoga flow can be very beneficial as he/she develops his/her motor skills. This is also a good medium for strengthening your bond with your baby.

Yoga can stimulate your baby’s physical and mental development in a gentle way. It is also a perfect way to introduce your child to appreciate the practice or any physical activities that he/she might encounter in the future.

Dig Deeper!
Most moms who practice with their baby often times find Yoga more meaningful than what they thought it is. This is due to increased amount of awareness, compassion and composure while practicing with their little one. Though this task can be a bit challenging, remember that babies are sensitive to energies. So mommies, remain calm, and surely, your baby will reciprocate it. Before getting onto your mat with your baby, feed and change his/her diaper and clothing to avoid interruptions, and place a cushion on top of your mat where your baby can lay cozy and warm. Begin by carrying your baby in your arm, dancing around the room for 10-15 minutes as a warm-up before you begin your session.

Baby Bridge: To do this variation of Bridge Pose, begin by lying on your back with your knees bent and feet planted on the ground. Then, carefully place your baby on your belly. Make sure that you support his/her body to avoid falling off as you inhale and lift your body off the ground, and exhale down. Do this movement for 3-5 breaths.

Gentle Seated Forward Fold: Begin by sitting on the ground with your legs extended together. Let your baby sit on your lap and hold his/her body by the sides to secure safety. Inhale and slowly fold forward together. Hold this pose for 3-5 breaths. Do not force your baby’s body to fold deeply. Just allow his/her body to feel a little stretch and gently unfold back to starting position.

Goddess Lift: Yoga’s version of leg, glutes and core-strengthening squat can be more challenging and more fun with your little bud. Stand up with your feet apart while carrying your baby. Bend your knees and begin adding more distance between your feet until your knees and thighs form a 90-degree angle. Then hold your baby’s body by the sides and stay in this position for 3-5 breaths.

Your cute little gift of life shouldn’t stop you from practicing your discipline but help improve your practice. This doesn’t only add a fun and extra challenge but also develops the practice’s sentimental value to deeper levels. Connecting to your baby and introducing him/her to your practices means involving him/her in every aspect of your life. Go on and try these easy moves that you and your baby will definitely love!

How Music and Yoga Go Together

 

There are certain schools of thought that say only certain types of music should be allowed in yoga classes. These ideas usually belong to more restrictive forms of yoga, where the movements and their spirituality are paramount. However, one of the wonderful things about yoga is how easily it has been adapted to the needs of the modern world, and the use of music during classes is one sign of that.

Music has profound effects on people. It can alter your mood and encourage contemplation, evoke memories good or bad, and has been shown to reduce stress as well. Historically, music is said to predate language and be one of the first ways that people learned to communicate with each other. Because the effects of music on the brain are so profound and fundamental to the way it functions; when combined with yoga, these benefits can have powerful effects on practice.

Yoga has been used for centuries as a form of moving meditation, with one of the end goals being elevation from the physical. With this aim in mind, music is a distraction from this lofty goal, noise that draws attention away from contemplation and dedicated practice towards more earthly things. With practitioners that still follow these ideals, music is used only rarely and then only the types of music that are deemed as spiritual.

There are two problems with this idea in modern day yoga practices. The first is the idea of spirituality itself. The appreciation of music, the idea of what is spiritual, is a highly individual thing in today’s society. Music that is spiritual to one person may not be to the next, so it is impossible for one person to decide what will be appropriate for another.

The second issue is the changing nature of yoga. For many people, yoga is less a spiritual practice than one of mindfulness and movement. It is exercise, and thus the ban on music no longer makes sense in their practice.

This is why music can be a perfect match for your yoga practice. Chosen carefully, the music can craft your movements into a kind of dance, making difficult postures feel easier and more natural.

The type of music that goes well with yoga is a hotly debated topic. Some instructors use only Indian music while others are more eclectic, choosing music that goes with the mood of the postures or the mental states they are trying to evoke. The only way to decide which type of music might enhance your personal practice is to try different genres and see what the effects are on your experience.

Whether or not music is a part of your yoga practice is an individual choice. During classes, its use is dependent on the focus of the class, as well as the training of the instructor. Music can add dimensions of feeling and memory to your practice that can enhance and deepen your contemplation and mindfulness. If these benefits are part of why you enjoy yoga, then it’s worth testing the effect of including music in your personal practice.

Benefits of Outdoor Yoga

I don’t know about you, but where I’m from, once the weather gets warm, people get really excited about doing yoga in the park. Whenever I go I’m always shocked by the sheer volume of people that show up with their mats and yoga capris to do yoga for an hour in the outdoors. I think part of it is the novelty of it all, but there are also some really great benefits of practicing yoga outdoors. I always feel refreshed and revived after an outdoor yoga session, but why is this and what are some other benefits?

First off, it may help improve your balance, which is a necessary part of any yoga practice. Finding or maintaining your balance in certain poses can be easier inside than outside. Inside you generally have a stable surface to stand on and one thing you can focus on. Outside, the surface is a lot more unpredictable and unsteady. This causes you to focus more to maintain your balance. While this can be challenging because there is no such thing as a flat surface outside, the more you practice, the better your body will be able to balance.

When I’m at work and hit the afternoon slump but don’t want to spend five bucks on a coffee, I take a walk outside to try and get some energy flowing. According to a study done by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, when we spend time outside, our bodies recall back to a time when we were hunter gatherer’s and recalibrates to be more alert, causing us to be more energized. Studies have also shown that being around nature makes us feel revitalized. Also, we all know that any time spent in the sun gives us an extra dose of Vitamin D which not only helps improve mood but also helps to guard against diseases like heart disease and the flu! So please! Spend some time practicing yoga outside.

Meditation on its own has a variety of benefits, and studies have shown that those who meditate have a smaller amygdala than those that do not meditate. The Amygdala is the part of the brain that houses our fight or flight instinct and plays a big role in determining the body’s response to stress. In a study from the Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine , the researcher notes that those who spend time outside have lower doses of the stress hormone cortisol. The combination of meditation and being outside is sure to leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated after meditating outdoors!

The outdoors can do great things for your yoga practice. It can help you improve not only your form and balance, but also help with your mental strength. I do get incredibly excited when the weather starts to warm up and I start seeing signs up about Yoga in the Park. While the times for Yoga in the Park can be relatively early, especially for a Saturday, how I feel after attending a session is worth it! My morning coffee can certainly give me an extra boost for a few hours, but practicing yoga outdoors seems to offer something with more longevity.