Now that you’ve sobered up, gone back to work, and have (possibly) decided on what 2012 is going to hold for you.. it’s time to get back to yoga! Whether or not you practiced yoga to cope with the holidays, January is a great time to recommit to your practice.

Yoga is a PRACTICE.

It takes time, commitment, and well practice… like the old adage goes, “practice makes perfect”, but I’d like to change it to “practice makes yoga”.  I want you to throw out the “perfect” pose, the image in your head from the internet, of your teacher, or from stereo-type in your mind. I want to replace that image with YOUR perfect pose and that is this.. the place where you feel your body, connect with your breathe, and are being present (instead of checking out or spacing out). YOUR perfect pose is the balance between ease and work. In Sanskrit it’s referred to as Sthira and Sukha (work and ease) and it is a very fine line in between these two.  Being present in your breath means you are in the moment and you know that you aren’t hurting yourself because your breath is moving, slow and easy instead of panting or short/mouth breaths. If you’re checking out, you’re probably to far, pushing yourself into a pose instead of being ok with your perfect. Spacing out is just as bad, you’re probably playing it safe, not going to the edge, not even flirting with it… maybe you’re injured and playing it safe, that’s ok, but if not, I challenge you to find the line.

The Beauty of Practice is that it GROWS!

If you fold forward every day, eventually you’ll touch the floor, plant palms on the floor, or touch your forehead to your shins. Just like studying a language, the more time you spend with it, the further you move along. Yoga is NOT about touching your toes, but IT IS about breathing, focusing on the moment, and opening up the body so you can still the mind and sit. If you go because you want to touch your toes, then whatever gets you to the mat, but you still have to PRACTICE to get there. Over time, you’ll reap the benefits beyond the touching of toes…. you’ll be calmer, breathe deeper, and your mind maybe even be less chatty. It’s these little changes, these little shifts that make the practice beautiful.

BUT do I have to practice every day?

You don’t have to do anything, but I ask you to feel inspired to do yoga every day, on your own or in a studio. Sit and breathe. Stand tall and fold forward. Heck, down dog it for 5 minutes (you can even set a timer if you like). YOUR practice doesn’t have to be an hour long or NOTHING. YOUR practice is what you want it to be, so make it so.

Need something to help you build up to that pose you want to learn this year?

Whether it’s a back bend, inversion, arm balance, or just lengthening your spine, here are 4 basic moves that will help you!

Using Plank to build up to doing Arm Balances!

Using Dolphin (forearm downdog) to build up to doing inversions (specifically forearm stand)!

Using Sphinx and Up-dog to build up to doing backbends!

A simple way to open the shoulders to start to find binds!

As always, listen to your body and YOUR breathe… short shallow breathing means you are stressing your body, SO BACK OFF.. take the time to build the strength, find the space.. and grow into a pose! I look forward to seeing you on the mat!

xx

~liz