|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
     |
Yoga Tool Box Yoga provides you with tools to help you manage your busy life. You may choose to use all of these tools or just a few in your practice. All are useful and are worth exploring when you are ready. Yoga sessions at Sage Stone always include use of; poses, breathe awareness, meditation, and relaxation. Other elements are sometimes incorporated but are not the focus of regular group sessions. Poses~ (asanas) stretch and strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, improve stability; and help you become aware of your body and how it moves (or maybe how it doesn’t). Poses provide an active element to yoga practice and helps prepare you to relax and be still. Breath~ (pranayama) T. Krishnamacharya perhaps one of the greatest yoga teachers of all time said, "Breath is central to yoga because it is central to life...and yoga is about life." We rarely think about how we breathe, yet it is vital to our existence. Specialized breath techniques sharpen your awareness and help balance your nervous system. Even simple observation of your breath can help calm your mind and body. Your breath is a powerful tool, which can be helpful with easing anxiety and insomnia. Sound~ Sound helps to focus your mind. The sound of a bell or gong can be used to draw your attention away from your daily worries and focus your attention in a new direction. Sound also comes in the form of your voice, and can further increase your focus as you listen to and repeat sounds or phrases. Memorization of a poem or scripture, chanting and affirmations are all forms of sound that can be incorporated into a practice using your voice. Meditation~ (one-pointed focus of the mind) Meditation is at the heart of yoga practice, and is present in all of the tools you see here. Meditation trains your mind to focus, and can lead to greater clarity and understanding of yourself and the world around you. Did I mention that it doesn’t have to be really hard to do, or take a really long time to accomplish? Even short or simple meditation is loaded with health benefits! Relaxation~ allows you to rest and release stress. Taking a specific time for deep rest is something you probably don’t do often (I’m just guessing). Giving your mind a place to be quiet, your body a place to be still, and your entire system a place to be calm is extremely beneficial and rejuvenating to all the systems of your body. Reflection~Ritual/Prayer~ Remember how I talk about personalized yoga? Well this is one of those places to personalize it! You may choose to leave this tool out entirely, and that’s just fine. Or you may choose to incorporate elements of religious or spiritual practices based on your own beliefs. If the idea of ritual kind of freaks you out you might want to read my blog post, Ritual? What you talkin’ bout Willis! Yoga is a timeless tradition which can inspire and empower you to grow to your full potential. It enhances all aspects of your life, and prepares you to enjoy a life full of health and happiness! What’s in your tool box? |
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
