Thoughts on Yoga
Yoga Every Day? Yes Really!
2008-09-15
Dear Friends:
New clients at the studios often ask me how frequently they should be doing yoga.
Every Day! is the best answer I can give. Every day, you eat, wash, eliminate, and sleep. Since yoga is designed to nourish, cleanse and restore all your tissues, practice it just as frequently in order to feel your best.
It's probably not feasible to come to class every day (though we are open about 360 days a year). But you can supplement with some practice at home.* Just a few minutes a day is enough.
Class practice and home practice feel very different and accomplish different things. In class, you can relax and just follow instructions. The group support helps you to focus and bring out your best. The studio environment is designed to aid your nervous system to become quiet and peaceful. Most of all, your teacher will continually offer you new insights, information and inspiration.
The benefits of home practice are also enormous. A little bit of yoga each day keeps your body and mind in near-constant ease and harmony. Additionally, when you practice alone you commit the material to memory.
Don't be afraid to do yoga at home. Decide in advance that 1) you won't push or force, 2) you'll stay away from pain and 3) you'll stick with the things you have covered in class. Following these guidelines you can't get into too much trouble.
Since you are not listening outwardly to your teacher you have to listen inwardly to your body and your breath. They will tell you when you are going too far.
Through yoga you conquer your fear, loneliness and depression. Coaching yourself through challenging poses and complex techniques gives you confidence to face all sorts of adversity. You feel yourself growing stronger, inside and out.
Enjoying your solitude, you no longer feel alone or fear being alone. You make best friends with the silent inner witness who is at the center of your being. You come to crave the sweetness of its companionship.
Reveling in joyous solitude you no longer feel alone, you no longer fear being alone. You know you are completely safe all the time.
Peace and blessings,
Ruth Anne
*If you can't get to your yoga at home, please DON'T beat up on yourself, and DON'T discount the immense benefits of coming to class regularly. Give yourself some credit for showing up and doing the work as frequently as you do. If you haven't made it to class yet, or not for awhile, just come as soon as you can and we'll be thrilled to see you. Remember that Mama Nirvana's is here to serve you, not the other way around.