 Yoga is a balancing act of...
physicality (with kindness & ease) effort (without strain) ease & openess (with focus and stability) relaxation (without dullness) slowing (without stagnating) pace (without rushing) familiarity (without automation) attention (without hypervigilance) space (with focus) creativity (with boundaries and intention) flow (with precision) challenge (without grasping) intention (without rigidity) focus (without strain or judgement) joy (without desire) reward (with humility) gratitude (without bypassing) honesty (with compassion) gentleness (with vitality) acceptance (with perseverence) consistency (with flexibility) revelation (without delusion) serenity (with honesty) ... what are you juggling to feel balanced? In our life we are constantly fine tuning and balancing. Adjusting having too much or too little of something, or we're doing the wrong things. We are honing in on that sweet spot. Yoga offers us the opportunity to explore, refine and deepen our wellbeing and establish ourselves in the sweet spot of our lives, no matter what the world is hurling our way. Make it to your mat this week > Enjoy 🌞
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 By far the most common reason to do yoga in our recent survey responses, was for mental calm and clarity.
This was reported more often than any of the physical benefits (which of course are undeniable, as are all the other benefits that yoga can bring). Fitness and spiritual exploration and connection were also very popular reasons to come to a yoga class. Yoga is an all rounder, which is why it has stood the test of time. The fruits of our practice include physical, mental and spiritual aspects integrated into a beautiful sense of wholeness and vibrant serenity. The Mental Benefits are HUGE When we feel better mentally, then our mood is better, we enjoy life more, we show up in our relationships with our family, friends and at work better, and we are healthier in all aspects. Our diet is better, our sleep improves, we take better care of our self and everyone benefits. Improving our mental state is life changing. We experience everything through a more positive perspective. We get less caught up in the negative spirals and the over-thinking. We learn how to reset ourselves and get quicker at overcoming upsets and frustrations. Mental clarity and calm can be cultivated in only a short space of time once you know a few techniques to get you there, and you all you need to do it show up and do them. And brilliantly, the effects of yoga are reliable and accumulative. It works. A single class feels amazing and the after-glow mentally lasts way beyond the class. A regular weekly class builds up and accumulates over time. Your nervous system anticipates it so that the effects are present just because you anticipate your class, before you even get there. And the benefits last longer and are easier to bring to mind throughout the week. A daily practice of even just 10 minutes compounds this connection and calm even further. Cultivating a state of mind that becomes more integrated and reliable in daily life. A yoga retreat allows you to deepen your experience, take it to a new level and inspire how you practice when back in everyday life. Everything and everyone, including you, will benefit as a result.  How the hell did you do that?
There is a fun posture this term that has foxed a few people. It doesn't look like much. Some people can just do it. Others have a go and realise they have no idea how to do it, find it impossible, look perplexed and then try again. Welcome to the joy of yoga. It requires you to show up and playfully and curiously explore body, breath and mind and see what we discover along the way. The more open we are, the more rewarding it will be. Put the expectation and the judgement aside My top tip is to leave the judgement and expectation off the mat, and step into your practice with an open, curious, beginners mind. Enjoying the full physical embodiment needed to figure out a new body position, all the while being supported by conscious breath. Don't worry if you find it hard. Just this attitude of simply having a go, no matter the fruit of the effort, takes practice. Step beyond your comfort zone Postures like this can take us beyond our comfortable practice. We want both in our yoga, comfortable ease and also challenge, in equal measure. We want the comfortable, nourishing movements and breath to support and sustain us, ground us and rebalance where needed. But also invite along stimulating and curious aspects, revitalising our inner adventurer and challenging our pre-conceptions and habits. You can't think your way there You can't think your way into this. You need to become more aware and present of all the forces at play physically, mentally and emotionally, while embracing the challenge at all levels. Surprise yourself Keep trying new things - it is a valuable art that shouldn't be lost. And remember to look on the bright side - it doesn't matter if you manage it or not. If you can just do it physically, then the focus needs to shift to what your breath is doing. There is plenty to develop here which may be exactly what you need. Ask me if your not sure what I mean - the transformative power of breath could revolutionise your practice. And if you find it hard, there will be the reward of simply keeping on showing up and having a go and going beyond what you thought you could do. Let's do something that will surprise you. |
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Bristol YogaSpace Ltd
Princes Place, Bishopston Just off Gloucester Road Bristol BS7 8NP |
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