Learning to build a consistent personal practice, no matter what!

Recently, I had two conversations with students who were feeling that if they couldn't get to yoga class every single day, then they weren't really yogis, they didn't really have a strong practice, etc. etc. Because they felt that they weren't able to practice enough,they didn't think they were getting all the mind-body benefits that they wanted from yoga. These conversations really resonated with me. I'd been feeling the same way because I've been teaching so much that my own practice had suffered.

I was reminded of a really simple premise: consistency is what matters. Quality over quantity. Many of us don't have time to go to the studio every day or even every other day. We also don't have time to attend a 60 minute class, much less a 90 minute class on a daily basis. But, that is okay!

You don't have to rush around or skip sleep to get in a 60-90 minute practice every day. No, consistency means that you can do a 20 minute home practice if that is all you have time for and that is fine. It is the repeated practice of focusing on the breath and moving through asanas that really matter. Alternatively, developing a meditation practice at home is also a great way to be consistent with your practice.

There is an incredible book on this topic, "The Heart of Yoga, Developing a Personal Practice" by T.K.V. Desikachar, a well-respected guru. In the book, practical tips are offered on how to create your own yoga practice, targeted specifically to how you feel each day and what your mind and body desire at any given time. There are numerous books, DVDs and TV programs that can lead you through yoga classes.

Finally, by practicing alone at home, you can really tune in to your practice without distractions. Try it!

Ahimsa: Not in the NFL

One of the primary tenets in yoga is the concept of Ahimsa or non-violence, non-harming. To me, it simply means treating everyone and everything as best you can, without intent to harm in any way. The golden rule, right?

So, I'd vowed to focus on the positive in my blog entries but, I am so outraged and disgusted with the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles that I just have to write about it. Is the NFL really hurting so badly for talent that they have to bring back a convicted felon, a man who admitted to hanging, electrocuting and drowning dogs that had been abused their whole lives, once they didn't earn him any money in his dog fighting ring?

This man did not do this once or twice. He wasn't forced into it by his cohorts. No, Michael Vick was the ringleader. This abuse and murder of innocent animals occurred over a 6 YEAR PERIOD. Repeatedly. Casually. "Par for the course"....

This highest paid athlete in the NFL, earning multimillions, chose to make more money and have fun by torturing animals. Now, there are felony animal abuse laws in almost every state because research showed that all of the serial killers, like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer and even Hitler, all tortured animals as children. The trait these monsters share is a complete lack of empathy for other living beings. It started with animals and then they moved on to humans. Michael Vick is a convicted felon.

So, the NFL chooses to bring this amoral monster back to play football. Why? What could possibly be the motivation besides money? And, who is going to pay to see this jerk? I cannot even begin to comprehend what went into the decision to sign him to a team. Aren't there tons of gifted, talented athletes who work hard and could be the quarterback?? Or, even gifted athletes who were not very nice people but NOT FELONS???

One of my favorite jobs I had was as Director for Animal Avengers, an animal rescue charity founded by Shannon Elizabeth and located in LA. We saw many dogs who were treated terribly but, fortunately, I never was involved in rescuing dogs from a fighting ring. So, my heart is screaming right now at the absolute injustice of giving this monster another chance. He doesn't deserve it. His abuse was over a 6 year period. Not an isolated incident. He is not rehabilitated. He is not a good person. He does not deserve another chance. He never gave any of the hundreds of innocent dogs a single chance.

Yoga for Fit2Wed Bootcamp at Mission Bay Park

It was an incredible morning on Mission Bay this morning. The sun began peeking out around 9:15am, just as the class was finishing up their sun salutations. We faced the bay, enjoying the view of calm waters.

Practicing yoga at a park has its pluses and minuses. The loud boombox at the nearby picnic table was a minus. The beautiful San Diego morning was a big plus! We also had a little terrier decide he wanted to join the ladies yoga group. I believe most of us agreed he was a plus! Being in this type of environment is a perfect reminder that yoga doesn't have to be so serious! You can laugh and still have a lovely practice.

I was thrilled to be able to work with the Fit2Wed Bootcamp women for a second time. Fit2Wed is a 12 week bootcamp program designed by Jessica Thomas and is a smashing success. The program is intense, fun and best of all gives fabulous results to its participants. Check it out at www.getfit2wed.com.

I became involved when Jessica attended one of my yoga classes at SculptFusion yoga. We spoke after class and decided to see if the boot campers would be interested in adding an occasional yoga class to their already busy regime. They were! Yoga is an excellent addition to a cardio and strength-training routine and I hope all the participants enjoyed it as much as I did.

I love my job!

Reawakened with Anusara

Tonight I had the most amazing breakthrough in my yoga practice. I attended Michael Fukumara's 90 minute Anusara class and as always, he was incredibly inspiring. Michael was my first teacher back in 1999, when he still taught Ashtanga yoga. Each and every time I attend one of his classes, I feel absolutely incredible afterwards in my mind, body and heart.

I'm very attached to the Vinyasa flow style that I teach. I love the movement, the grace, the flow; feeling like I am truly dancing with my breath. Over the last year, after recovering from a car accident and resultant neck surgery, my yoga practice suffered a great deal. No longer did I have the upper body strength that powered me through my power yoga! No pun intended. Although I continued to teach, my personal practice declined. Anyway, I've not found many classes where I truly experience an opening, an unfolding, an awakening.

Tonight, I did. The class focused on the anahata or heart chakra. By the end of the 90 minutes, I felt incredibly open and light. I feel as if I floated from the room. And, now, I am feeling a shift occurring within. When I arrived home, I immediately went to Michael's website to check when the next Anusara Immersion would be offered. I've been wrestling with some personal decisions on the path my career is moving and I feel much more clear about the answers and the path to follow now. I'm trusting my heart that my decisions are true, no matter the result.

Wow, the power of yoga never fails to amaze me. What a beautiful way to end my day.

Namaste

Why Athletes Should Practice Yoga

Why Every Athlete Should Practice Yoga

Claire Petretti For Active.com

As a private trainer and yoga instructor, I meet a lot of athletes and workout fanatics. When asked if yoga is part of their workouts, many athletes will tell me they don't have the time to add yoga to their already intense training schedules. Some say they don't see how "stretching and breathing" would be of any benefit to them. Others say they've discovered yoga while recuperating from an injury.

Why not enhance your performance and prevent injury by adding yoga to your training plan now? A well-rounded yoga practice includes dynamic flexibility training, core stabilization, strengthening and balance work. By focusing on these vital elements, yoga can help you recover faster after workouts, open up the tight areas that hinder performance, improve range of motion, and develop mental focus and concentration.

"I've definitely noticed benefits in my triathlon training from yoga," said Heidi Resiert, a triathlete from San Diego. "My recovery time is much quicker, my shoulders feel stronger in the pool, and my muscles don't feel as tight after long runs or bike rides. I'm glad I found yoga and added it to my weekly workout routine. Not only do I feel stronger, but I also feel more confident that I will continue to be injury free."

Prevent Injury

Many sports, such as cycling and running, have very repetitive movements usually in one direction and in one plane of motion. These sports can develop certain muscle groups while ignoring others. Over time, this process causes imbalances in the muscles and joints leading to overuse injuries. For instance, tight hamstrings and hip flexors will cause the body to recruit from other joints, joints not intended for bearing extra loads.............

to read the rest of the article, please go to:
"http://www.active.com/mindandbody/articles/Why-Every-Athlete-Should-Practice-Yoga.htm"