In the serene realms of yoga practice, where breath meets movement and the mind finds solace, there exists an invitation to infuse an element of play. Yoga, often associated with discipline, focus, and alignment, can also be a canvas for exploration, spontaneity, and joy. Embracing play within your yoga practice not only cultivates a sense of lightness and freedom but also deepens your connection to the present moment and allows for greater self-discovery.
Let’s face it: Some yoga poses taste a little bit sweeter than others. And if yoga were a smorgasbord, restorative postures would most definitely be at the dessert table. These soothing and well-supported poses offer us the opportunity to linger quietly for a few moments and savor the simple sweetness of life.
Many people enter autumn mourning the summer – as they watch the leaves fall, amp up their workloads, zip up their coats, and await the holidays. A common prescription for the fall funk is often a pumpkin spice latte with a big slice of apple pie. Doctors orders. There are many plus sides of the fall season; though it can be difficult to see them when you’re in a funk. How do you tap into the positive feelings of fall when you’re feeling the season pull you down?
Autumn comes with shorter days and cooler temperatures. While there are many pros of autumn, the transition can also be a challenge. Fewer hours of daylight and changing weather can be hard on both physical and mental health for some people (especially for the Byron locals after a spectacular Summer season!!). With that in mind, here are some of my top tips for an awesome Autumn.
As the bright, hot days of Summer are lulled into the cooler, shorter days of Autumn, we’re able to witness perhaps one of the best examples of a true seasonal transition. Each season holds a particular energy, and whilst Summer is the peak of extroverted ‘yang’, Autumn sees us moving deeper into a quieter, more contemplative state of ‘yin’.
Close your eyes briefly, take a deep belly breath and think about the feelings and qualities of the Autumn months. You may have thought of golden, orange and crunchy leaves forming a blanket over the grass or the perfect lightweight cardigan that gives just enough warmth for the cooling temperatures. On the other hand, your mind may have taken you straight to your local farmers market to explore the harvest of delicious produce specific to the March, April and May months. If so, you are the same kind of foodie as us!
Fall is the season of transformation. We can see this all around us in nature: the leaves are falling, the air is changing and we are harvesting an entirely new crop of fruits and vegetables. It is important that we change with the seasons — just as nature does — by adapting our daily habits, yoga practice and food choices. Ironically, it is only through change that was can stay grounded during this shifting season.
The virtues of meditation and mindfulness are being extolled almost everywhere. Research has shown the practice of meditation can have positive benefits on emotional well-being and physical health and has been indicated for managing serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep problems, and chronic pain. Getting people to try meditation, however, can sometimes be a challenge, particularly for people who have very active minds.
The word duhkham, most commonly translated as “suffering,” literally means “tightness or constriction in the chest or the heart area.” If you think about a time you were upset and what that felt like in your body, you’ll probably recognize the feeling. In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali uses duhkham to encompass all the disturbances in our equilibrium, from feelings of disquiet or unhappiness to all-out heartbreak. When you’re upset, angry, anxious, sad, unhappy, or devastated, that’s duhkham.
Most of the worthwhile things I’ve done in life have really scared me. I’m an introvert, so I don’t thrive speaking in front of large groups—teaching big classes used to scare me so much that I’d feel like I was going to pass out. But I’ve grown to absolutely love it. How? By learning to overcome fear-based thinking patterns. Outside of our comfort zone is where the creative magic really happens! Here are my secrets for overcoming fear and embracing new creative challenges.
Yoga is no one-trick pony. When you get into the rhythm of a regular practice, you’ll find that morning stiffness is a thing of the past and that your mind is a much friendlier neighborhood to spend time in. Perhaps more surprisingly, it can also provide you with rewarding and performance-enhancing challenges. One of the best ways to test your skills is to practice balance poses—arm balances, one-legged standing poses and advanced twists, but you can also set targets for your flexibility and ability to perform a pose well.
In our latest blog, authored by Baron Baptiste, explore the profound benefits of yoga through 3 expert tips to help you grow into the best version of yourself. Elevate your practice with the perfect blend of joy and mindfulness and join us in embracing the transformative power of play and unlocking a new chapter in your yoga and wellness journey.
Embark on a transformative journey discovering the profound ways yoga nurtures self-trust. Explore insights from This Is Yoga Sydney's latest blog on how yoga cultivates inner confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection with oneself. Immerse yourself in the empowering practice of yoga to foster trust within. Join us on this empowering path!
Recharge your spirit as you flow through swaying arms, empowering side stretches, and grounding Malasana twists. Unwind in the standing forward fold and experience the transformative Crescent lunge series. Embrace the detoxifying Chair twist and soothe your senses with the Supported Reclined Hero’s pose. Reconnect with your body and refresh your mind after the festive season. Discover the power of yoga to revitalise your being in This Is Yoga Sydney’s latest blog post.
Discover the power of resilience with the new This Is Yoga Sydney Blog! Explore Craig Hopper's insightful blog on overcoming failure in just 3 simple steps. Learn to feel, change your frame of mind, and move forward with grace. Uncover the 3 F's for dealing with failure—Feel, Framing, and Moving Forward, to help you move positively into 2024. Embrace life's disappointments, reframe your perspective, and stride confidently into the new year. Join us on the journey of healing and growth.
In the realm of spiritual exploration, trust emerges as a profound attitude, transcending ordinary connotations. It is a journey into the self, delving into the depths of trust as a spiritual attitude, a deep surrender to the present moment, an acknowledgment of vulnerability, and a doorway to our higher self. Trust challenges limitations, serving as both the means and the end in embracing the spontaneity of the moment. It is an invitation to move beyond fixation on results, acknowledging its essence lies in uncertainty and the ability to transcend the need for assurance. Keep reading to learn more!
This week, I’ll show you 3 practical methods you can help you identify things of purpose and meaning for you. There are many different exercises that can help find clarity on purpose. The 3 that I find most useful are listed below. When doing these, the most important thing is that we are 100% honest with ourselves. This isn’t about impressing others or doing what other people want or living someone else’s life. This is for you and no one else.
As we emerge from sleep, there is a watery quality to our minds that we can float in peacefully for a time, rather than rushing headlong into our phones, push notifications, emails, and to-do lists. Beginning the day with a ritual designed to prolong that kind of calm can help keep the rest of your day more mellow.
Having a beginner’s mind means you approach the world through a beginner’s eyes. The term is translated from the original word, Shoshin, which is a word that comes from Zen Buddhism. It means you look at every situation you’re placed in as if it’s the first time you are seeing it.
Aparigraha is the last Yama in Pantanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga. It often translates to non-greed and non-attachment. Yamas are the moral guidelines of yoga. Practitioners use them to live by. The Yamas can influence your relationships with others as well as with yourself. These moral codes can be applied both on and off the mat. And these practices help us benefit ourselves as well as the world around us.
Whether you feel bad energy coming from someone else or lingering in a space, try one of these tactics to clear negative energy and call in more light.
“Detoxification” means the removal of toxins from the body. Just like flowers, humans absorb toxins—preservatives, pesticides, stimulants, and heavy metals—through food, water, and air. Also, your own body produces toxins, called metabolic waste products, as a natural result of processes like digestion and respiration.
“Let go” is a commonly repeated phrase in many yoga classes. It may be uttered when the teacher settles us down for relaxation, or when we’re in the hardest posture we can imagine…Expressions of this phrase are often vague, with little or no guidance on what this ‘letting go’ means or how to do it. This can allow us to open up to the moment and feel for ourselves what is. But how do we do this?
Explore a transformative journey through yoga in our latest blog. Delve into the profound connection between movement and emotions, as we unveil how yoga sequences can guide you towards emotional balance. Join us in discovering the art of harnessing mindful motion to cultivate inner harmony and well-being. Learn more and embark on a path of holistic growth.
Unlock the ancient wisdom of Yoga Sutras for enhancing your self-care routine. Delve into profound insights and practical guidance to achieve balance and harmony in mind and body. Discover transformative techniques to cultivate inner peace and overall well-being. Dive into the world of self-discovery through yoga.
Embrace self-love and inner tranquility with our soothing Yin Yoga sequence. Discover gentle poses and mindfulness practices designed to nurture your soul and foster a deeper connection with yourself. Unlock the power of self-care and find peace within.
Discover the transformative potential of yoga as a powerful self-care tool in our latest blog post. Learn practical tips, techniques, and mindful practices to unlock inner peace and improve your overall well-being. Dive into the world of self-discovery and embrace the benefits of incorporating yoga into your daily routine.
Discover the power of yoga for anger management and learn how to release negative energy with This Is Yoga. Explore effective techniques and practices to find inner peace and transform your emotional well-being. Dive into our insightful blog for valuable tips and insights on incorporating yoga into your anger management journey.
Develop Self-Reflection through Tapas and Svadhyaya