As the weather cools down we may find that our yoga practice cools down also. With all the distractions of the holiday season, shopping, decorating, cooking, entertaining….well you get it….there doesn’t seem to be space or time for ourselves. This is when being mindful can really help us to center ourselves and find a peaceful moment. When you are rushing to and fro trying to get things done have you missed the scenery entirely? Have you arrived at your destination and realized you didn’t take the time to look around? When we begin to practise mindfulness, in effect our lives become meditation in movement. Buddha says, “Do not dwell in the past; do not dream of the future. Concentrate the mind on the present moment.” Mindfulness is the center or core of your yoga practice, allowing you to become aware of the present moment, right now. Give yourself the gift of time….time to focus on one thing at a time. Allow thoughts to enter your mind…acknowledge those thoughts and allow them to fade away with no judgement. Become neutral. Watch your breath come and go..listen to the sound of your breath…become calm and still. Gradually you will be able to watch distractions from afar and they will not affect you. So, in effect, you can still practice yoga even when you are in the car, wrapping gifts, or cooking that holiday feast. Become mindful of your breath and as the saying goes, “Those who are awake live in a state of amazement.”

The light and love in me, bows to the light and love in you. Namaste.

The short answer is no.  Over the years I have been asked  this question on a few occasions. It saddens me that there is fear if you want to practise yoga,  you have to follow a strict doctrine or some kind of “cultish” behaviour.  Not so. Any good yoga teacher gives their students options, they are free to go as deeply into the postures and ideology surrounding the world of yoga as they are comfortable with.  Yoga is in no way sinister. The only ideology I espouse, if you can call it that, is to be happy, peaceful, compassionate, kind to yourself and others. See, not scary at all. Some have an issue with chanting OM. OM is the beautiful unifying noise we yogis believe the spinning universe would make if we could turn off all the distracting sounds of traffic, electricity, television, etc. When we chant it together in a class it brings us all together as one. Nice! Just a note, I ALWAYS give my students the option to chant OM or not…there is never any pressure to do any thing that doesn’t sit right.  So, there are some beliefs related to yoga…but none are theology based. Rather they give the individual an opportunity to clear their minds, relax and take the time to consider that kindness, compassion and peace are perhaps a great path to walk. A good link with more info on the topic is swamij.com. Namaste!