Celebrate Yoga All September Long With These Inspired Yoga Shapes And Practices.
All around the world people are celebrating the mind body connection that yoga provides, along with its rich spiritual practices that are beyond the physical.
1) Inspiration One
Challenge Yourself.
For this month invite yourself to step out of your comfort zone and play with your edges. Some of us our creatures of habit, and although a solid routine can be vital to our flow, sometimes stepping out of our comfort zone can spark little inspirations that lead to significant self realization.
YogaInsight Tip: Play with your edges, try holding Virabhadrasana A for one full minute or more. Set your timer, put on a song, and breath into any discomfort that arises, while maintaining a strong gaze on something out in front of you, option to close your eyes as well.
*Disclaimer - Your edge is not meant to be painful.
There is a difference between pain and discomfort. Discomfort can assist us into growth, not hinder our growth. Listen to your body, and trust its messages.
2) Second Inspiration
Create A Moving Meditation.
Take a moment, to turn inward, refocus and calm the racing thoughts that build up after a long day or busy week. It is not always easy to take time for formal sitting meditation, o yet studies have found that meditation can rewire the brain and shift negative thoughts into positive outcomes.
YogaInsight Tip: Try making space in your day for five minutes of meditation or mindful movement.
There are apps, podcast and YouTube videos that can help support you, and the good news is this can be done almost anywhere.
Some of my favorite times and places to tune in for mindfulness are,
Morning coffee or tea
Commute to work
Daily walk
In the office
Before Bedtime
3)Third Inspiration
Practice Mindful Eating
In order to get the most out of your yoga practice choosing food that fuels your body and noticing how you eat, will create big changes for the month of September.
Set the intention to enjoy the process of choosing delicious, nutritious and clean foods that are fun to eat too. With fall time right around the corner, this is a perfect opportunity to look up new recipes or ask a friend for ideas that will inspire your taste buds to say yes to eating nutrient rich meals that fuel your body for the day.
YogaInsight Tip: Did you know there is a yogic diet?
Also known as the Sattvic diet. It is based on the belief that, “you are what you eat” - and that our minds are directly connected to our bodies. The Sattvic diet is associated with micronutrients that promote longevity, physical strength and mental health.
These Plant Based Foods Include,
Whole grains
Milk and Ghee
Beans & Legumes
Nuts & Seeds
Fruit
Fresh Vegetables
Herbs & Spices
Honey
Cold Pressed Oils
Personal Inspiration Tip From Kinda For The Month of September
One of my favorite ways to celebrate this practice is with others in community.
Practicing yoga with community is life changing and that’s exactly how I started my yogic journey nine years ago. It wasn’t just the postures or music that inspired me, it was the people, breathing and moving next to me.
Now, every time I get on my mat I think of at least one person and set an intention to send them love and light from my breath to theirs. I can feel this expanding my consciousness to all walks of life, providing hope that human connection is still strong and able - transforming each one of us from the inside - out, thanks to the practice and wisdom yoga provides.