The days are longer, the sun goes down later, the air smells fresher and you can actually feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Spring is a perfect time to start a yoga practice…or perhaps rejuvinate the practice you already have.

I tell my students that, “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.” Very often, when we step on the mat, we feel we already know how our hamstrings are going to feel in our forward bends, how our lower backs will feel in our twists. We follow the same flow of postures and rest contented in the security of repetition. Often times we leave out the postures that callenge us prefering to go with what we know we can achieve. Perhaps it’s time to shake things up…a spring awakening of sorts.

In the spring, plants begin to sprout, leaves and buds emerge, often surprising us with their new location, shape and color. Yoga can be like this too, if you add a different variation to your set routine new colors and shapes appear. Add a new arm position to your Warrior, don’t go as deeply into Triangle, or work on your Tree posture. If you usually speed through your practice, slow down and in the time it would take you to do 10 postures, perhaps do 5….holding each one for a long time.  While there, breathe deeply and slowly, seeing what sensations begin to sprout and what judgements begin to emerge. Grow from this, a new seed of understanding and awareness planted.

If you are considering beginning a yoga practice, lucky you! Prepare to cultivate a whole new understanding of your body and mind and to have the opportunity to awaken a new found sense of self.  You will grow not only a stronger, more agile physical body, you will also plant the roots to a calm, focused, more serene outlook.  Watch your garden grow!

Take a deep breath, drink in the spring air and all the new promise it holds. Begin something new, make a small change and take a moment to look at the tops of the trees!

Peace and Namaste to All.

Thoureau said, “Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.” 

This quote relates so appropriately to yoga nidra it made me wonder whether Thoureau was actually a yogi! Well, perhaps not, but being awake in a dream is very close to the state we strive to acheive in our yoga and yoga nidra practice.

When we can relax the mind and body into a state of neutrality then can we begin to strip away any superfluous doubts, worry and self depreciating thoughts. We allow ourselves to reside in the true self, one of non-judgement, contentment and mercy. In this true self, it is easy to smile, easy to see the wonderful bright light that resides within us and the people around us. It becomes easier to deal with life’s challenges, not allowing them to stop us in our tracks and make us angry, but rather meeting them with the deep personal belief that all will be fine, no matter what shape that takes. It becomes easier to be flexible, in body, mind and our reaction to stress and difficulty.

Practice yoga, practice the breath, practice yoga nidra and allow youselves a glimpse of what serenity, space and bliss can truly mean. Namaste to all.