{neck and shoulders}
A tight neck and shoulders is an unfortunate fixture of many of my days! Every bit of stress and tension (good and bad) have is knotted up right there. Here are a few things that help me!
1. Foam Roller: rolling out my back on my foam roller is helpful. I also thread the needle with my foam roller in front of me, resting my neck on the roller.
I received Marie Kondo’s book, THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP, for Christmas and devoured it. I can hardly wait for my next weekend alone to empty my closets and get started! And If it brings more money into my life all the better!!!
*update: my closets and drawers are more amazing than I could have imagined. I have a plan for every drawer and cupboard in the house. It absolutely has edited my shopping and showed me what style/color/fabric I actually like so that I can shop smarter.
Check out this article below about the Konmarti method!
{ishvara pranidhana}
The last of our five Niyamas, our second limb of yoga, means surrender. This can mean surrendering yo your divinity- God, nature, the present moment – whatever it means to you.
Release attachments to outcomes, release yourself release yourself from judgements, expectations, your ego.
Surrender to the idea that there is something bigger than yourself. You are exactly where you were meant to be and everything is working out.
{chair pose}
We did a dozen or so of these last night in class. I'm not sure everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.
From a forward fold, lift to your chair pose.
Take a look down to see that knees are behind the toes.
Tuck the tail to take the deep curve out of the back. Bring hands to prayer or to goalpost arms and drop shoulders.
Surrender to this pose and feel how different it feels when you release the struggle to hold it.
EPS started out as a tribute of sorts to the book Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It was a chance to get grounded for a few hours and meditate with mala beads, a chant from the book, readings from the novel, and food. Six years later the core is still the same, though I have taken it away from following any kind of story.
{svadhyaya}
Self-study. THE LITTLE BOOK OF YOGA says that traditionally this meant “engrossing one’s self in text and scripture”. Today, we may handle it a little differently but always with the same goal: to find your authentic self, to make daily decision that are in line with your life and life goals, and in turn live a more authentic life.
Be honest with yourself. When you feel anger, jealousy, and resentment – get real with yourself about the “why” of it. Take that honest answer (you don’t have to share it) and take the opportunity to grow!
{tapas}
Our third Niyamas is self-discipline. Who couldn’t use a little more of that?!
Tapas mean heat and denotes the passionate commitment required to bring on change. Call upon your tapas in times when you are struggling with your commitment- to self-improvement, holding a tough yoga pose, or struggling to reset temptation.
Next time you’re struggling, imagine hot glowing coals inside you and persevere!
{santosha}
The second of our Niyamas is contentment. This guides us to be content with your life and its circumstances, no matter what they may be. Its challenges us to resist self-doubt and jealousy.
In daily practice, we try to accept what we have whether good or bad. Next time something doesn’t go your way, consider all of the options you have for how to handle it. One of those options is not to react at all. Not reacting is accepting.
Yoga in Relationships
Relationships can be more challenging than the most advanced yoga poses. No matter who is on the other end of a conflict- a friend, family member, coworker, schoolmate, or colleague- you can diffuse many situations by applying a yoga mindset and a few simple techniques.
BREATHE
{upward facing dog}
from chatarunga, we flip the feet and find an arch. Pressing tops of feet and hands into the mat, we lift the body. Pulling shoulders back to open and spread the collarbones. Shoulders safely over wrists and gaze lifted.
This pose either feels uncomfortable and a little scary on the low back, or light and open. Check out this great article from Yoga Gypsy for tips on your updog!
http://yogagypsy.blogspot.com/2012/07/yoga-tip-tuesdays-transitioning-to...
