Keep It Simple, Sweetie
Have you been dabbling off and on with your Yoga?
Do you envision yourself enjoying a simple daily practice,
but it just ain't happenin'?
No matter what your age, or your flexibility ability, Yoga teaches you that moving your body in a wide variety of ways, on a consistent basis over a committed number of days, done with joy and wonder, will not only have your body feeling better, your attitude will also improve. Life as you know it will simply feel good. As a matter of fact, you’ll not only feel good, you’ll ACT “good”. Yep, you’ll actually be a nicer person. To others. To yourself.
This was my first AH HA in yoga. At the ripe age of 21, I took my first yoga course. It was 1979 and yoga classes in Utah were not easily found. It was at the University of Utah that I first enrolled in yoga. I had been introduced to a few poses and discovered I wasn’t as flexible as I thought I was so it inspired me to jump in for more. It was a summer program that I attended 4 days a week. At first, I was amazed at how much strength was required, because, well, I signed up to stretch. Can you relate?
But there I was, watching sweat drip down my face and off my nose creating a puddle between my downface dogs hands. “Wow”I thought, “This is so much more than stretching." And then, the real surprise came when I found myself being a nicer person - more patient, more caring. Not that I wasn’t nice – but I was definitely easily irritated and somewhat judgmental of myself and those around. me. All of a sudden (or so it seemed) I was feeling nicer. And I was acting kinder.
What does this have to do with Simplicity? Well, it’s that simple. Move your body mindfully as you breathe deeply while watching yourself carefully, and Voila! – tensions lift, hormones shift, and you feel good on the inside which leads to being a nicer person on the outside.
It’s that simple. You don’t have to do any fancy poses or complicated choreography (unless you like that). Just think of it as moving your spine in all directions. Give your joints a bit of juicing. Awaken your muscles with some contraction and expansion. (aka strength and stretch)
I’m saying this to those of you that have considered Yoga but have yet to try it thinking you’re not flexible enough.
I’m saying this to those of you who have practiced for years but have fallen off the wagon because going to a group class these days just doesn’t float your boat.
I’m saying this to myself because I know how easily distracted I can get and then the day is done and my practice hasn’t happened.
Even after 40 years, I have to create systems to stay on track with my deeper desires. The key...
KEEP IT SIMPLE, SWEETIE.
Here’s my Top 3 Tips to a Simple Yoga Practice
- Yoga First (or at least right after that glass of lemon water) Before you go to bed, set out your mat and/or a few items that set the mood– a candle, some sage or incense, a book of inspirational quotes, your journal. Whatever whispers, “come hither.”
- Keep it short – set a timer for 5, 10 or 15 minutes - What feels short to you? Make it short enough to feel so easy you can’t NOT do it. You may go longer, but you don’t need to. The focus is on making it easy, simple, repeatable.
- Keep it simple. Lengthen your breath in rhythm with moving your spine and articulating your joints. You don’t even have to know a single “yoga pose” although whatever you do will probably look like yoga because yoga mimics nature.
Remember - Yoga means to link your body, mind and breath (aka spirit). It doesn’t mean “challenging circus poses.” Just link movement with breath as you tap into all your joints and muscles. Stay in one position for 5 - 10 breaths to really feel into your body’s response. Or move more dynamically by flowing with your breath. Or both!
Most importantly, stay present and do what feels good moment by moment. Be curious as you allow your practice to unfold.
What I’ve found (and I believe you will too) is that when you bring the attitude of simplicity into your Yoga practice, it influences a simpler way of being. If you want to feel better, try doing less. Feel more connected. More grounded. More present. More grateful.
Do less - feel more.
Invite Simplicity into your yoga.
Invite Simplicity into your life.
The inspiration for this blog comes from planning my upcoming retreat in Costa Rica. Our overall intentions are reflected in the logo I created above. Over our 10-days together, it’s our intention to share simple, highly, consistent yoga practices that everyone can enjoy and take home with them. It's how I always teach. So simple that you’ll commit the movement to memory – muscle memory. Let your mind relax and your body will lead you through safe, sensual movement that does your body good. And your mind, too.
If you want to boost your inspiration meter – Join us for ReWilding: 10-days of simple movement, every morning and every afternoon.
Once you feel the results in real time, you’ll be inspired to continue on your own when you return home.
Just think about how nice you’ll be… to yourself, your friends and your family!
DETAILS HERE -
RESERVATIONS OPEN UNTIL DECEMBER 15 OR FULL
GIFT YOURSELF