DAY 29 & 30: PRANAYAMA

(I am lumping days 29 & 30 together because my practice has been nearly the same each day)

ALLERGY SEASON….. Need I say more?  I haven’t really suffered much from allergies in the last five years.  But this week in particular – boy, oh boy, have I been feeling stuffy!  Stuffy nose, itchy eyes and face, raspy throat.  Many of you probably know exactly what I’m talking about.

My physical practice (and even teaching, for that matter) has been different this week, simply because forward bends, Downward Facing Dog, and inversions are not comfortable at all.  So, I’ve opted for a (still challenging) change in my practice – PRANAYAMA.

Pranayama translates to breath control – bringing awareness and concentration to each inhale and exhale, and it’s a very important part of Yoga practice.  But when you’re suffering from allergy symptoms, practicing Pranayama can also bring relief to those symptoms.

Each day I cleanse my sinuses with a neti pot (get one if you don’t have one – a must-have!).  This helps to clean out any dirt/allergens and congestion in the nasal passages.  I also spend some practicing Anuloma Viloma/alternate nostril breathing.  Another great way to help open up blockages in the sinuses.

Even if you don’t suffer from allergies, practicing Pranayama is a wonderful way to develop concentration, increase your lung capacity, stimulate all the systems in the body, and give you more energy.

April 30, 2010   Posted in: Yoga  No Comments

DAY 28: BOOK THREE

Book Three of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali…..

I can’t emphasize this enough…if you are interested in knowing the root of the practice…far beyond the physical movement you make on the mat…the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is where to begin, because this is where you begin.

Book Three of the Yoga Sutras explains the 6th, 7th and 8th limbs of Yoga – Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (contemplation/enlightenment/self-realization).  Practicing all three is called Samyama.  And this may be the most challenging part of Yoga.

It takes physical and mental strength to breathe and move,  physical and mental strength to be sure you’re behaving “right.”  Physical and mental strength to let go of outside distractions.  But, in my opinion and experience in practice, it takes much MUCH more than physical or mental “strength” to concentrate, meditate and experience something greater than you ever thought you were.

This is a part of the practice I cannot explain, mainly because I’m still working, every day, to experience it myself.

Dig deeper…

April 29, 2010   Posted in: Yoga  One Comment

DAY 27: GAZING AT THE MOON

What a beautiful full moon!  I’ve spent some time tonight on the deck, gazing at the moon.  Its brilliant light is soothing, calming and energizing.  Sitting in the moonlight, breathing and being with my thoughts – it brings me solace.

April 27, 2010   Posted in: Yoga  No Comments

DAY 26: GOTTA GET HAPPY

When you have feelings of unhappiness, where do they come from?  Current situations, or past situations, or a combination of both?

The more I learn about Yoga, the more I come to realize that this is a life-long practice that takes patience and dedication.  And every once in a while (or more often than that), you slip.  You let the past get the best of you – old feelings emerge, which can bring up feelings of unhappiness.

The past is the past, and “getting past the past” is possible, if you work really hard at it.  There’s forgiveness, and resolution, and letting go.  And it’s tough work.

If you’re willing to do the work, happiness will come.

April 27, 2010   Posted in: Yoga  No Comments

DAY 25: JUST BREATHE

We’ve all been there.  We think we’re having a great day.  We think we’ve got it all together.  We know what we want, and if we’re lucky, have the resources within us to find it.  Then…..BAM….we get hit with something that just stresses us out.  Could be anything – a look, a comment, an action, a behavior, a memory.  And before we know, our breath is high ‘n tight in our chest, and we’re not sure what to do.

Breathe.  Remember to breathe.  Remove yourself from the situation, take a few minutes, and breathe.

April 26, 2010   Posted in: Yoga  No Comments