Feeling alone during deployment with kids, what an ironic phrase. Am I really alone? No, I am actually rarely alone. And this is the rub of this deployment thing. I have three kids to manage and a dog, who actually belongs to my husband, but he is not here, is he. So I never feel alone, yet I always feel alone, yet I am always feeling alone during deployment with kids.
Three busy Turner Kids
I am feeling alone during deployment with kids in the duty of driving them to and from ballet (4x a week), gymnastics (2x a week), swim team (2x a week), music lessons (1x a week), seminary (2x a week), church youth meetings (1x a week), allergy shots (1x a week), and horseback riding lessons (1x a week). I leave a kid alone to do their homework while I am out dealing with a different kid and I hope that the homework is being done. I arrive home to a dark house with three kids who need dinner after all our lesson and the dog, who has been alone, now wants to play.
Mochi- the little doggie who weasels her way into my heart and onto my mat
Feeling Alone During Deployment with Kids is Exhausting
It is exhausting, this feeling alone during deployment with kids. I feel like I am barely holding on most of the time. Before deployment I was not very flexible and during deployment, I am even less so. Our lives need to run like clockwork because it is already more than I can handle so any cog thrown in the wheel will do me in! Heaven forbid I oversleep by 15 min (my alarm goes off at 5:00am, unearthly hour) because then I will not get a shower before I am off to teach yoga three times a day. At least I am alone in the shower.
Should I take time for some breath retention practice to try to take some control of all these feelings? I am still feeling alone during deployment with kids…
Feeling Alone During Deployment with kids- It’s all for a good reason!
But, this man…..
This man is who I am doing my best to support. Yes, I probably whine to him more than I should and he listens with patience (the benefits of being married to a social worker.) I am proud of him as the Director of Operations on the base and I get more proud when I can hear the excitement in his voice as he details what he is learning and the opportunities he is having.
I know that this is a growing experience for all of us. I rely more on my kids to help out so that I do not feel so alone in my daily duties and decisions. I rely on FaceTime to run my feelings and concerns by Josh. I rely on yoga to help me to remember to breathe and stretch out my stress. I rely more on the Lord to make the difference and I am never truly alone.
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Why I love teaching yoga at home? Well, my teaching career did not start out that way! I began teaching in 2013, shortly after I discovered that yoga had the potential to change people’s lives, it had already changed mine. At the time, I was suffering from postpartum depression and learning how to deeply breathe and move at the same time were mind blowing and so, so healing. We also were going through family upheaval of changing careers from the civilian sector to USAF. I knew that teaching yoga could be a career that could follow me through these physical and highly emotional changes.
My yoga teacher career started with teaching in gyms where I could access child care. I had to learn how to adapt the yoga flow to any student who walked in the room. Many came to me never having taken yoga before. They were just experiencing a class in their gym for the first time. I had to “hook” them by creating a safe space for them to learn the basics, get stronger, and more flexible over time. I strived to create a love for yoga in every student.
Then, 2020 and the COVID-19 Pandemic, changed the face of the yoga world. I started both practicing and teaching yoga online from my home in order to be safe for myself and my clients. I learned some surprising benefits of teaching and practicing yoga at home. Here is why I love teaching yoga at home.
Why I Love Teaching Yoga At Home
Benefit 1- Interaction
When I first started teaching yoga at home, I was worried that I would miss the personal interaction with my clients. I found this to be incorrect because I still see them live through Zoom. We chat, I look at their form, I give them real time adjustments so the yoga poses can benefit their bodies, and I feel a true connection with them. The only thing that is lacking is hands on adjustments. I must give them verbally instead.
Corrections are easy with ZoomI love my yoga clients!!!
Benefit 2- Connection
One of the most challenging things about being a military family is that we make connections and then we move on, leaving people behind. This was no different for my treasured yogis. Saying goodbye to my yoga classes and clients was always my hardest goodbye. But when I left OK for ND in 2022, I brought my private clients with me, into my home! I have been able to reconnect with clients in Japan, Korea, and all over the United States. This one of the main reasons why I love teaching yoga at home.
Benefit 3- Atmosphere
One of the things I hated about working in gyms, was that I always had to share the room with the exercises bikes, I could not adjust the lights or temperature to what I wanted, and I was always hearing the loud Body Pump or Zumba music down the hall. Hard to create an atmosphere of calm and healing. (Unfortunately, I rarely had the chance to teach in a dedicated yoga studio due to living out of country or in small military towns.) At home, I have full control of my atmosphere and what my clients see through the screen. This is one reason why I love teaching yoga at home.
Neatly stacked props, soft lights, and yoga artwork fill me with calm
Benefit 4- Doggie Daycare
One of the reasons why I love teaching yoga at home is that it gives me another way to connect with my doggie! Mochi used to be shut up in the kennel while I was away teaching and now she is free to roam while I am teaching. The only issue is that she often ends up on my mat…. She is a true down dog yoga dog!
Benefit 5- Convenience
Throughout my years of teaching yoga, I have taught at multiple studios/gyms in a day and traveled to people’s houses or businesses for classes and private lessons. This is a waste of time and gas and I would need to be very careful that I computed travel time in my schedule. Teaching at home means that I walk down the hall to my studio. All of my props are there, I don’t have to worry about weather or traffic, and I save time and money. This is a huge reason why I love teaching yoga at home.
Benefit 6- Savasana
Why I love teaching yoga at home? Savasana! I look forward to savasana when I teach because it is chance to mute my mic and throw in some laundry! Or I can go get a drink, or I can check the mail, any number of minor household tasks. I really love it when I mute my mic and take the time to have my own meditation session while my class or clients rest. The time is as worthwhile for me as it is for them!
Come along with me! Give yoga at home a try. I think you will find the benefits as rewarding as I do!
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How to survive the frigid north? We recently moved to North Dakota where I am experiencing a cold that I have never felt. I am from Utah and we get cold but the snow is wet so it will dump and melt, dump and melt. I lived in Northern Japan which was mostly the same, except for one frigid week we spent in Sapporo. Mostly I think the cold we felt there was due to lack of proper clothing.
So, moving to North Dakota, we came prepared. We spent thousands of dollars on clothing to keep our feet, hands, body, head, and face warm. And it was worth every penny! I have never experienced cold that literally takes my breath away and that blows right through my soul. In North Dakota when it snows, it falls sideways due to the wind.
How to survive the frigid north? I am a beach bunny at heart and I have had to look for ways to survive the dark, cold north. My biggest strength has always been yoga and looking for the beauty around me. Here are beautiful things that I have discovered and the connections to a healthy, sustaining yoga practice.
How to Survive the Frigid North with Yoga
Let’s compare three light phenomenon to yoga poses which will help us embrace the cold and the power we see in the sky.
1. Sundog
This is sundog. A sundog is a concentrated patch of sunlight occasionally seen when temperatures reach 22° to the left or right of the Sun. Sundogs often form in pairs on either side of the sun when sunlight refracts through icy clouds. They are often white but sometimes quite colorful, looking like detached pieces of rainbow, with red on the inside, toward the Sun, and blue on the outside.
When the temperatures get cold and you want to learn how to survive the frigid north, do some yoga! Vinyasa yoga will warm you up from the inside out by connecting breathwork and movement. I suggest, when you see a sundog, try a few rounds of Surya Namaskara A to build warmth and honor the sun that is still in the sky even if it does not feel warm. Practice a few rounds of Sun Saluations with me:
2. Light Pillars
These are light pillars. Light pillars form in colder climates when ice particles near the ground are light enough to remain suspended in the air. If conditions are calm, the hexagonally shaped ice particles can become vertically stacked as they slowly drift through the atmosphere.
So many yoga poses require us to “vertically stack.” Try mimicking the strength and power in this phenomenon with vashistasana and trikonasana. Both poses require you to stack your arms on top of each other, one arm supporting from the ground, and the other reaching up, just like light pillars. This is one way we learn how to survive the frigid north.
3. Sun Pillar
Sun pillar
Sun pillars are beams of light that extend vertically upward (or downward) from a bright light source, such as the sun or another bright light low on the horizon. They can be 5 to 10 degrees tall and sometimes even higher. They might lengthen or brighten as you gaze at them.
When is the best time to see a sun pillar or light pillar? Sun pillars are most often seen when the sun is low in the western sky before sunset, or low in the east just after the breaking of dawn. You might even see a sun pillar when the sun is below the horizon.
When trying to think of how to survive the frigid north with yoga when we see a sun pillar, we can do yoga poses that start preparing the body for nighttime. Since this phenomenon happens as the sun is setting, we are seeing the sun set to our day and our daily activity. Try these poses to help your body wind down.
Supta Baddha Konasana
Paschimottonasana
Marichyasana C
Legs up the wall
Setu Bhanda Sarvangasana
Uttanasana
Halasana
Savasana
Balasana (child’s pose)
4. Crystals
The key to how to survive the frigid north is to see the beauty in it. One morning when the sun finally came up, the world sparkled. There were ice crystals everywhere, on the trees, on the snow piles, on the fences, and on my windows. The world seemed really still and in crystal clear focus. How do we celebrate this crystal focus? With meditation to help us find focus. Try this guided meditation:
If you happen to find yourself in the frigid north like me, and you find yourself asking, “How to survive the frigid north?” Try embracing yoga!
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What is my biggest pet peeve about yoga class? Before I was a yoga teacher, I was a yoga class participant. And I still love to attend a yoga class! However, there are some pet peeves that yoga teachers and yoga participants can agree with. So, if you are doing these things, take a moment to evaluate your behavior. You will have a better experience in yoga class and your classmates will thank you!
Biggest Pet Peeve About Yoga Class- 5 Mistakes to Avoid
Coming in late to class- We have all been there, we are doing our best, rushing around, trying to make it to yoga class. As a teacher, I try to give my students some grace. We all have days that just don’t go well. But if you are habitually late to class, you will disturb the other students, the teacher, and you will potential create an unsafe condition for yourself as you may not be sufficiently warm for the practice.
Leaving your cell phone on your mat- In this day of constantly being plugged in, don’t you want to unplug for a moment? This is a biggest pet peeve about yoga class that many of us can agree with. I suggest NEVER having your phone on your mat. Nothing is worse than when you are lying in savasana listening to unwind and you hear a phone vibrate, or RING. I cannot think of anything more disrespectful than disrupting other students by having your phone go off during class. There are exceptions like if you have a job where you are on call. If you do get this important class that you cannot miss, politely step out to disrupt as little as possible.
Biggest Pet Peeve About Yoga Class- the cell phone!
3. Refusing to use props– This is mostly a suggestion for you as a student. Take advantage of the yoga props in class, especially if a teacher suggests it. There is nothing worst than feeling uncomfortable in a yoga pose that can be assisted with a yoga prop modification. Embrace the props!
4. Show Offs– Showing off in yoga class is inappropriate and unsafe and is a biggest pet peeve about yoga class. Yoga teaches to let go of the ego. We are not on the mat to show the rest of the students that we can do. We are there to be introspect and to take an individual journey. Showing off by doing a completely different pose than the rest of the class can be dangerous. The teacher has sequenced the class poses for a reason to prepare your body for the next pose. So just follow along and enjoy the journey!
5. Leaving during savasana– You have taken the time to do 60+ min of yoga class. Can you not spare a few more minutes for the cool down? Not only does your body crave the release and rest, the students in the class deserve a quiet space as well. Don’t clean up your mat, walk by all the others, and slam the door on your way out. Just lay there for a few more minutes in gratitude of the experience.
Now it’s your turn! What is your biggest pet peeve about yoga class? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
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Beginners Guide to Yoga at Home- 30 Day Essentials
Beginner’s Guide to Yoga at Home
Links to yoga props that all Yogi’s need
Videos of yoga breathing techniques
Tutorials of how to use the props and modify yoga poses
Short yoga sequences to help you gain flexibility and confidence
Healthy shakes and snack recipes to compliment a busy lifestyle
Guided meditations to help you find calm as you learn
30 days of quick lessons to help you form a daily habit
How to Survive the Frigid North How to survive the frigid north? We recently moved to North Dakota where I am experiencing a cold that I have never felt. I am from Utah and we get cold but the snow is wet so it will dump and melt, dump and melt. I lived in Northern…
10 Most Common Yoga Mistakes Beginners Make What are the 10 most common yoga mistakes that beginners make? One upon a time, I was that yoga beginner that made mistakes. But time went on and I learned the error of my ways so I thought I would share some of my experience with you! Common…
How Yoga Can Improve Mental Health Let’s learn how yoga can improve mental health. There is a growing body of research that supports the benefits of yoga for mental health. According to Yoga Journal, over 15 million people are practicing yoga, pushing the practice to mainstream. Yoga combines physical movement, stretching, meditation, and breath work.…
What are the 10 most common yoga mistakes that beginners make? One upon a time, I was that yoga beginner that made mistakes. But time went on and I learned the error of my ways so I thought I would share some of my experience with you!
Want actionable yoga tips from me? Ways you can ease pain and modify yoga poses to fit your needs? Then hop on the newsletter! Read more of this content when you subscribe today.
Common Yoga Mistakes
Mistake 1- Not investing in a yoga mat
My very first yoga class was in a gym that was used for martial arts. I thought, I can just do yoga on the bare floor right? I did not want to invest any money in yoga because I was not convinced that I would love it. Spoiler, I do! I quickly learned that my ability to do yoga was being compromised by my lack of mat.
Not all yoga mats are the same. I have my favs (Manduka, Hugger Mugger paid links). I suggest looking for a sticky mat with some thickness. You want the mat to lay flat every time and to support your joints; wrists, knees, back. You should note the type of the floor that you will be practicing on. If you practice at home on carpet, you will want a mat to support that. Mostly, you will want to feel like you will stay in place in poses like down dog. Don’t make one of the common yoga mistakes of practicing without a mat!
Pick a yoga mat to support your practice!
Mistake 2- Don’t skip the modifications
We don’t need to feel like a pro when we start yoga. As we learn, our bodies may need to adjust to new sensations. We will be stretching our bodies in ways that might initially be uncomfortable. So, we utilize yoga props. My favorite props are yoga blocks, yoga straps, bolsters, and blankets.
Here are a few ways that you could use the props. Yoga blocks (paid link) are used as we reach to the floor to bring the ground closer. Straps (paid link) are used to help build flexibility in hips, hamstrings, and shoulders. Bolsters (paid link) are used to prop the hips for comfort in sitting on the floor. Blankets (paid link) are used to add comfort in resting poses. Don’t make one of the common yoga mistakes of skipping the modifications and props.
Mistake 3- Don’t forget to have fun
One of the common yoga mistakes for beginners is forgetting to have fun. We can get so serious with yoga, we want to be perfect in every pose. But yoga is a time for discovery and sometimes we need to laugh a little at our attempts. If you stumble into Warrior I or nose plant in crow pose, just laugh a little. It is all part of the discovery!
I was having a little fun on the road- standing chaturanga or pushing the sign over?
Mistake 4- Skipping the breath
Yoga breathing called ujjayi breath, is essential to understanding the flow of the poses in a vinyasa class. It is essential to relaxing the body in a yin class. You will have a wonderful experience if you can master this breathing technique. Here is a tutorial to get you started:
Mistake 5- Going to the wrong kind of yoga class
One of the reasons I was skeptical about yoga before I began practicing, was that I had a preconceived notion of what yoga was. I thought is was sitting on the floor and stretching. I was so wrong of course! But maybe if I had started with a Yin class (which I now love) I might not have returned. My personality at the time craved movement so ending up in a vinyasa flow class was the right place for me. Take this quiz to find your yoga personality so that you can avoid one of the common yoga mistakes. Ultimate Yoga Style Guide.
Mistake 6- Too much focus on the shape of the pose
When you are learning yoga poses, your body needs a moment to adapt to them. Sometimes they will feel strange and if you put too much focus on the shape and not enough focus on the breath for example, you may get frustrated. Give yourself a break and go just with it for a bit until you are more used to the pose. No need to wedge yourself into a pose your body is not ready for!
Common Yoga Mistakes- “wedging” yourself into a pose!
Mistake 7- Pushing yourself too far too quickly
One thing that I love about yoga is that it can be a lifelong pursuit. Yoga is called practice for a reason- we are constantly practicing and honing our body and lifestyle because we strive to understand yoga. One of the common yoga mistakes is pushing your body too far too quickly. In yoga, we strive to let go of ego. We strive to listen to our breath and move in ways that do not harm. Have patience and see where the yoga journey will take you.
If you are not able to move into a challenging back bend at first, than don’t do it!
Mistake 8- Skipping the warm up
How many times do we need to do surya namaskara? Ashtanga practices will tell you to do a minimum of five surya namaskara A and B each. The warm up in yoga is so important. It is where you will connect with the breath and warm your muscles so that they will respond to the deeper stretches and standing poses. You will avoid injury and may be less sore the next day if you have a good warm up. Don’t make the one of the common yoga mistakes by skipping the warm up. You can follow along with surya namaskara A and B here:
Mistake 9- Don’t skip the cool down
This goes along with mistake 8, don’t make one of the common yoga mistakes of skipping the cool down. Many people want to skip savasana. They want to move on with their day and feel that laying on the floor is a waste of time. I encourage you to think of savasana as a reward for a job well done in class. It is the time that you can let your body absorb the work that you have done. Your breath will relax along with all the muscles in your body.
Try savasana with a bolster under your knees to ease low back strain.
Mistake 10- Bring your cell phone with you
This might be my personal pet peeve in this list of common yoga mistakes. Our smartphones can be a huge source of distraction in our lives, which is the complete opposite goal of yoga. Do yourself and your fellow yogis a huge favor and leave your phone in your car, or even consider leaving it at home. If you must bring it into the studio, be sure to turn the ringer off, and definitely don’t bring it into the classroom unless you are a medical professional on call. Let yoga be a gift to yourself- unplug and unwind!
I hope that these 10 common yoga mistakes will help you go from a beginner to a pro! Happy yoga practice to you!
Beginners Guide to Yoga at Home- 30 Day Essentials
Beginner’s Guide to Yoga at Home
Links to yoga props that all Yogi’s need
Videos of yoga breathing techniques
Tutorials of how to use the props and modify yoga poses
Short yoga sequences to help you gain flexibility and confidence
Healthy shakes and snack recipes to compliment a busy lifestyle
Guided meditations to help you find calm as you learn
30 days of quick lessons to help you form a daily habit
Let’s learn how yoga can improve mental health. There is a growing body of research that supports the benefits of yoga for mental health. According to Yoga Journal, over 15 million people are practicing yoga, pushing the practice to mainstream. Yoga combines physical movement, stretching, meditation, and breath work. This improves overall fitness, health, strength, flexibility, and lung capacity. Yoga also has benefits like reducing back pain, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Lesser known is the benefits that yoga has on psychological issues. The American Psychological Association states, “Several recent studies suggest that yoga may help strengthen social attachments, reduce stress and relieve anxiety, depression and insomnia. Researchers are also starting to claim some success in using yoga and yoga-based treatments to help active-duty military and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.” Below are 12 ways that that practice of yoga can improve mental health.
“Never give up on someone with a mental illness. When ‘I’ is replaced by ‘we,’ Illness becomes Wellness.”
Shannon L. Alder
Want actionable yoga tips from me? Ways you can ease pain and modify yoga poses to fit your needs? Then hop on the newsletter! Read more of this content when you subscribe today.
Yoga Can Improve Mental Health
This blog will show you how yoga can improve mental health though 12 different aspects. Yoga has so many benefits and can be used as a tool to improve health and wellbeing. Let’s outline these 12 beneficial aspects.
1. Yoga Increases Flexibility
Yoga asana builds flexibility through stretches connected to breath. When we get anxious or depressed, lactic acid builds up in our muscles causing discomfort. Yoga stretches help us to release this lactic acid which relieves pain and increases blood flow to muscles which can improve circulation. Increasing flexibility improves quality of life. Everyone wants to be able to bend down and tie their shoes. Yoga can improve mental health by helping us to feel good in our skin.
Utthita Hasta Padangustasana B can build flexibility in the hip flexors, groin, and hamstrings
2. Yoga Improves Balance
Yoga improves balance by strengthening the muscles and tendons in the ankles. Balancing also forces us to use our core. But how does this improve mental health? Balancing focuses the mind. We have to focus on a pin point to find stability. This single minded focus can still the mind that is spinning with anxious thoughts or fears. It can tune your focus into your strength, your calm, and your breath. Yoga can improve mental health and physical balance.
Vrkasana is a balancing pose that activates the ankles and core.
3. Yoga Poses help us learn to let it be ok
Yoga can improve mental health by teaching giving us the space to let it be ok. We start to learn that some poses can be challenging and we may master them over time. Take twists for example. When we get stressed, our digestive system can be effected. Twists work directly on our digestive system by squeezing the digestive organs. This is one reason why twists can be difficult. It also makes them very rewarding when we understand how to release tension and stress through twisting. It all takes time and patience and we have to let it be ok to take that time.
Parvitta Parsvakonasana to release stress and digestive issues
4. Yoga Teaches You That You May Not Master It
Yoga can improve mental health by teaching you that you may not master it. There are poses that we do on the yoga mat which our bodies may never master. That does not mean that we should stop doing yoga, coming to the mat. We just learn to live with our bodies limitations and grow from them. This is similar to mental health. We will inevitably have bad days, we are not meant to be perfect. In yoga we learn to release the judgement and we can take this knowledge off the mat as we think about our mental health.
“Anxiety was born in the very same moment as mankind. And since we will never be able to master it, we will have to learn to live with it—just as we have learned to live with storms.”
Paulo Coelho
Ashta Chandrasana is a difficult pose that we never master
5. Yoga Teaches Us to Take It Breath by Breath
In the suyra namaskara sequence, each pose is connected to a breath, an inhale or an exhale. We do not move on to the next pose until we take that next breath. When we are living under the threat of anxiety, we forget to breathe. We don’t remember that it is ok to take one breath at a time, one thought at a time. Yoga can improve mental health by reminding us that we can take it one breath at a time.
“Anxiety happens when you think you have to figure out everything all at once. Breathe. You’re strong. You got this. Take it day by day.”
Karen Salmansohn
Urdhva Muhka is in the Suyra Namaskara sequence and always happens on an inhale
6. Yoga Teaches Breath Control
Breath work is one of the most important things we do in yoga practice. We primarily use ujjayi breath, deep breathing in and out of the nose, but there are many effecting breath techniques utilized in mediation and yoga practice. Yoga breathing has been found to lower stress and improve cardio vascular functioning. It improves lung function and respiratory endurance. It lowers the heart rate and promotes well-being. Focusing on breath can help the mind clear and take the focus off anxieties and stressors. Breathwork is a powerful way yoga can improve mental health.
“Being present to our anxiety is an act of self-love.”
Manoj Dias.
Try breathwork in sukhasana pose.
7. Yoga Teaches Us to Modify
Many times we encounter a yoga pose that is difficult for our bodies. What do we do? We modify the pose. This does not mean that take away all the good, strong qualities of the pose, we just change the focus of the pose. In times of stress or anxiety, sometimes we need to modify. We need to learn to look at things another way so that we can carry on in a healthy way. Yoga can improve mental health by teaching us that we need to modify our outlook.
This is how I modify King Dancer pose!
8. Yoga builds strength
One way that yoga can improve mental health is by building strength. Depression and anxiety can make us feel weak. Since depression and anxiety can make us act lethargic, we may loose some of our strength. Yoga activates the muscles as it is a weight bearing exercise. Poses like Goddess Pose (shown below) place pressure on the hips and we have to use the strength of our muscles to hold us up.
“It does not make you weak if you need a little extra encouragement in this season of your life.”
Morgan Harper Nichols.
Goddess pose can help us feel strong!
9. Yoga Makes You Feel Courageous
The Warrior Poses- I, II, III, humble warrior, reverse warrior (Warrior II shown below), they all have a way to make you feel strong and courageous. Move into a Warrior Pose and realize that each time you come to your mat, it is a chance to try again. Over time, yoga can improve mental health. Think of this quote as you work to face your fears about mental illness,
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.”
Mary Anne Radmacher.
Warrior II with a strong shadow warrior going before you
10. Yoga Can Teach You That You’re Strong
Every time you overcome anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or even a bad day, you grow stronger. Every time you come to the yoga mat you grow stronger. You gain confidence when you can look back and say, “wow, I pulled through! I’m amazing!”
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.”
Eleanor Roosevelt.
Yoga can improve mental health by giving you the courage to look your illness in the face.
11. Yoga Will Give You Endorphins
Every time we move in a positive, physical way, we get endorphins to the brain. Every time we exert energy, breathe a little deeper, work up a threat, we get endorphins. Endorphins are feel good chemicals that can counter the feelings of stress. Yoga can improve mental health by filling us with feel good endorphins.
Time to have fun on the mat!
12. Yoga Teaches You to Be Yourself
I often tell my yoga students that they are the only one on the mat and they get to decide what happens there. You are in control on your mat. You can do as little or as much as you want. You can take liberties with yoga poses or you can honor tradition. You have the right to be yourself in the safe yoga space.
“If you trade your authenticity for safety, you may experience the following: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, rage, blame, resentment, and inexplicable grief.”
Brené Brown
You are safe to be yourself on the yoga mat.
Yoga can improve mental health. Come on to the mat and see where it will take you. For a comprehensive healing product, check out Journey to Healing Through Chakras.
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What are the biggest misconceptions about yoga? Yoga is a very popular discipline which originated in India over 5,000 years ago. Yoga asanas were brought to the United States in 1919 by Yogendra, sometimes called “the Father of the Modern Yoga Renaissance.” Since then, yoga has gained popularity in the mainstream fitness world as well as guide to mindfulness and a lifestyle value system.
10 Biggest Misconceptions About Yoga
Yoga Belongs to One Religion
Yoga is a body, mind, and soul discipline and these three things are available to all humans and exist regardless of religion. Yoga requires dedication to the principles listed in the eight limbs of yoga. The Yamas and Niyamas specifically can act as a value system and a way to live in harmony with the earth and our fellow travelers.
2. Yoga is only poses
The Yoga poses are called Asanas (see the image above) and this is only one piece of what yoga is. Without tribute to the other seven limbs, we cannot truly call ourselves a yogi. The eight limbs are meant to develop a personality, finding your true self and connecting with it. The practice starts with the body but should go further into the discovery of the true self.
3. Yoga styles are a “one size fits all“
One of the biggest misconceptions about yoga is there is a “one size fits all.” There are so many different forms of physical yoga when speaking primarily of the asanas. The original yoga, as stated above, is not physical, but the popularity of yoga in the US is largely due to it’s physical aspects. I tend to describe yoga as a spectrum and anyone can find a style that works for them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Take this Ultimate Yoga Style Guide to direct you to your fit!
4. You should be flexible
Many people stay away from yoga because they are not “flexible”. We all have some level of flexibility and we can start yoga at anytime. Sometimes we see images online so all the flexible poses that could be accomplished with yoga asana. But this is a small portion of the yogi’s out there. We can adapt yoga poses with blocks and straps to help gain flexibility over time and with practice. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about yoga. Enter here to win a free yoga block and strap set!
5. Yoga is only for young people
One of the biggest misconceptions about yoga is that it is only for young people. Yoga, again, is not simply a physical exercise. If the asanas are what you want though, you can always modify poses to adapt to age and physical differences. Practice is what matters and if you practice something enough, it will become comfortable in the body.
6. Yoga is time consuming
Yoga classes can sometimes be an hour to an hour and a half and when you factor in driving time to class, this can take a chunk of time. However, a yoga practice does not have to be that long. A pranayama (breathing) focused session could just be 10 min. Maybe you complete 10 sun salutations to start your day. If you only did a yoga practice once a week for an hour, your body would essentially have to start over each time. It could be better to complete 15 min daily which will give you a daily stress release. Don’t let this biggest misconceptions about yoga stop you from starting.
Daily yoga practice can build strength and flexibility. You can do yoga anywhere!
7. Yoga means a total lifestyle change
One of the biggest misconceptions about yoga is that you need to change your lifestyle to practice yoga. Any physical or mindfulness practice does require attention to be worthwhile but it does not mean you have to change completely. There should be moderation in all things and if you are not prepared to practice a vegan lifestyle or sell all your things, you do not have to. A lifestyle change requires more than just dietary adjustments; it also involves change in thinking there should be service to others, ethical behavior, respect for all religions and people and regular meditation practice.
I am not a vegan but I consider myself a yogi. I enjoy a healthy shake daily as part of my routine. Get my recipe book here!
8. Yoga can be taught by anybody
One of the biggest misconceptions about yoga is that yoga can be taught by anyone. If you attend an instructor’s course and get certified, if you attend Yoga classes for a period of time, or if you have certain yogic books and start practicing, it does not mean that you are an expert who can start teaching Yoga. Before teaching, you should first implement the same in your daily life: be humble, practice the principles of Ashtanga Yoga and only when you feel you are aware of the body mechanics with regards to safety for the student.
Ashtanga for Dummies- Yoga Traveler Online Program
With Ashtanga for Dummies You’ll get:
Three pre-recorded yoga sessions for all four pieces of the Ashtanga Short Primary Series- one with modifications to help you learn how to approach the asanas (poses) for YOUR body, one to follow along in time with breath, and one to learn how to teach it for yourself- $260 Value!
A video tutorial about yoga breathing- $10 Value
A video tutorial on tricky transitions within the sequence- $10 Value
2 PDF’s of the Ashtanga Short Primary Sequence for your reference- $10 Value
2 Videos about the Opening Chant of the Ashtanga Primary Series- $20 Value
20 CEU’s for Yoga Alliance registered teachers- $200 Value
Private FaceBook Group for practice tips, motivation, and encouragement- Invaluable!!
And TONS of Bonuses!!!
Extra Yoga sessions- Ashtanga for Beginners, Yoga Strong, Core Workshop- $60 Value
How to assess yoga touch in the classroom? As yoga teachers move closer to giving hands on guidance to students, it is important to approach with communication. Three steps can help you decide how to assess proper touch.
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Assess Yoga Touch in the Classroom in Four Steps
Always ask for consent to touch first. Even if you know the student well, they still may not want to be touched. I love to use consent cards (paid link). One side says yes to touch, one side says no.
Look for beauty first- inside and outside! Don’t be the yoga teacher that rushes to judgement in observation of your students. That may lead you to only see that is wrong rather than looking at the beauty of the student. Find this beauty! It will help to remember that you are working with a real human and not just posing someone for a camera. Work with their strengths.
Address the things in each posture that may be at risk. Many times yoga teachers will address risk issues with verbal cues or demonstration to give form. Sometimes a student will position themselves in a way that is problematic. If students do not respond to verbal cues, you may have to offer hands on support.
Look for steadiness, ease, and presence of mind in the student’s face and breathing. The facial expression of a student can show a teacher how the student is feeling in a pose. The breath also mirrors how a student is doing energetically and can indicate strain. A yoga teacher should encourage modifications to make the asanas accessible.
Assess Yoga Touch in the Classroom- Qualities of Touch
How we touch is just as important as when and where. Yoga touch can be a tool for teaching a student to understand their body. Hands on cues can guide a student to refine their practice.
Awakening or Relaxing- Touch can encourage muscular activation in specific areas of the body. More pressure into muscles can allow students to fully feel the engagement or relaxation of muscles.
Pressing into the heel of the foot in Paschimottonasana encourages extension and energetic engagement through the heel.
Clarifying- This quality of touch allows you to determine if a student is activating certain muscles.
In Adho Mukha Svanasana, we want to encourage students to activate the quadriceps muscles and to realize that the hamstrings should be relaxed.
Stabilizing- Assess yoga touch in the classroom with stabilizing. We want the students to feel independent but sometimes this means we add some active support. In balancing poses, we can use our body to add stability to the pose with light touch that allows the student to accomplish the pose.
Stabilizing inversions
Emphasizing- Use light surface cues to encourage a specific movement like elongation or rotation. The intention of the touch is to both help the student better understand the dynamics of stability, ease, and movement in the asana and to suggest how to better refine the energetic action.
Moving- Sometimes we have help a student move their bodies into a modified position. This is a way to assess yoga touch in the classroom. We ask the student to move out of the pose and approach it with a new position. Offer touch to help the student achieve success.
Grounding- With grounding touch, we press part of the body down to enhance the foundation of an asana. This creates safety in the pose. Help the student find the root in each pose.
In Paschimottonasana, use grounding touch to help students root the sitting bones. Press firmly down on the back of the pelvis to suggest rooting and elongation of the spine.
Comforting- Assess yoga touch in the classroom by giving comforting human contact to convey emotional support and compassion.
Resting your hand on a student’s back in Balasana can suggest deeper relaxation and offer a sense of caring.
When you assess yoga touch in the classroom, your students will feel comfortable to explore each asana and improve the quality of their practice!
Ashtanga for Dummies- Yoga Traveler Online Program
With Ashtanga for Dummies You’ll get:
Three pre-recorded yoga sessions for all four pieces of the Ashtanga Short Primary Series- one with modifications to help you learn how to approach the asanas (poses) for YOUR body, one to follow along in time with breath, and one to learn how to teach it for yourself- $260 Value!
A video tutorial about yoga breathing- $10 Value
A video tutorial on tricky transitions within the sequence- $10 Value
2 PDF’s of the Ashtanga Short Primary Sequence for your reference- $10 Value
2 Videos about the Opening Chant of the Ashtanga Primary Series- $20 Value
20 CEU’s for Yoga Alliance registered teachers- $200 Value
Private FaceBook Group for practice tips, motivation, and encouragement- Invaluable!!
And TONS of Bonuses!!!
Extra Yoga sessions- Ashtanga for Beginners, Yoga Strong, Core Workshop- $60 Value
You have exciting news- you are pregnant! And you want to do everything you can to take care of your baby- that includes yoga. You need prenatal yoga tips for Beginners! Here are 10 Tips to take care of your growing baby and your changing body.
10 Prenatal Yoga Tips for Beginners
Twist Open- As your body changes and the baby grows, you will have less and less room to twist. You never want to restrict air to the baby. This is a simple fix. Take twist from an open position. Instead of twisting toward the leg like in Ardha Matsyendrasana, try open twists like Bharajavasana.
This pose will allow your spine to twist and release tension in the hips. It will keep your center open so mom and baby can breathe.
2. Don’t lay flat after the first trimester- The baby will start placing pressure on your spine so laying flat will make your lower extremities fall asleep. Instead, take Savasana propped with bolsters or laying on your side. Supta Baddha Konasana is my favorite for pregnancy as it will release tension in the lower back and hips, an overworked area for pregnant moms.
3. Embrace Hip rolls! Hip rolls feel good on the floor or on a chair. Try sitting in criss cross and rolling back and forth from side to side. Sitting in a chair, keep both feet on the floor and roll on your hips. Hip rolls will release low back pressure and stimulate your core muscles.
4. Taking time to move makes you feel better, not more tired. This may be the most essential of the prenatal yoga tips for beginners. In the first and third trimester, you may feel so drained of energy so the idea of moving sounds too much. Yoga helps you to focus on deep breathing which can boost your energy levels as you will be taking in more air. Yoga helps to stretch tired, overworked muscles. Gentle movement can work out the kinks in your changing body. Honor your body and your breath by moving to release and relive aches.
5. Widen your legs in forward bends to allow the baby to breathe. This prenatal yoga tips for beginners is much like the twists from tip 1. You should never cut off air flow to the baby. In standing or seated forward bends, make sure your legs are at least shoulder width distance apart. Not only will this allow your baby to get air, you will feel a deeper release in the sacrum. You can still get a great stretch in the hamstrings as well.
6. Invest in a bolster. A bolster is the most helpful tool in the prenatal yoga tips for beginners. The bolster will prop up your body making supine and twisting yoga poses possible in pregnancy. You can support your hips, back, and baby. Enter to win a free yoga bolster!
9. Always keep breath flow to the baby. If you are struggling to breathe, so is the baby. Pay attention to your breath above all else.
10. Do yoga to feel great, not to loose weight. Pregnancy is not the time to loose weight unless under the care of a doctor. Focus your yoga practice on making your body feel GREAT!
Prenatal yoga tips for beginners will keep mom and baby safe and healthy. Try this great yoga program specifically designed for pregnancy!
Pregnancy Yoga Program- Mommy Goddess Yoga
Pregnancy Yoga Program- Mommy Goddess Yoga
Yoga for nine months of pregnancy and beyond. Learn how to ease your body during each trimester. Get yoga to ease common aches of pregnancy. Learn how to use props to support your baby. And get tips through yoga during labor and into postpartum.
I teach yoga in a conservative Christian town and I often get asked, “Should Christians do yoga?” My answer is “Yes!” I am Christian myself and I have never felt that the values of yoga conflict with my Christian beliefs. Let’s bridge the gap between Christianity and yoga using the two of the eight limbs of yoga, the yamas and niyamas, or the value system of yoga.
Bridging the Religious Gap with the Yamas
I often think of the Yamas and Niyamas (1st and 2nd limbs of yoga) as being a value system. In Christian beliefs, this can be compared to the 10 commandments.
Ahimsa
Instead of harming others, you are serving others. This can be compared to “thou shalt not kill.” Many yogi’s practice non harming by participating in a vegan lifestyle. I choose to practice ahimsa by focusing on how I can physically practice yoga so that I do not harm my body. I do not participate in extreme poses. I also think of others- how my words or actions may harm them. Should Christians do yoga? Yes, Christians should “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Matthew 7:12
Satya
This is the principle of being truthful in all areas of your life. We should avoid little white lies as well as something greater like cheating on our partner. If we are delusional, lying to ourselves, then we cannot be truthful. We can feel Satya in our physical yoga practice by remaining true to the alignment in a balancing pose:
Should Christians do yoga? Yes- follow true to the principle of Satya
Asteya
Asteya is non-stealing- Stealing implies void, seeking for external satisfaction. “Thou shall not steal.” This principle goes deeper than shoplifting. We can steal another’s energy if we are self-centered. We can steal from nature without giving back. If we revere what is given to us, we try to live an non-wasteful life. If we practice asteya, we can be the richest person in the world because we would always feel that we have enough.
Brahmacharya
This is the practice of preserving creative and sexual energy by following the middle path. We do indulge or repress our desires. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.” Following brahmacharya will give you peace of mind to stay disciplined on the right path.
Aparigraha
Should Christians do yoga? Yes, they should practice aparigraha. This principle means that you should not have possessiveness towards things or people. “Thou shalt not covet your neighbors goods.” In yoga, we reduce desires, especially selfish ones, to live a happier, freer life.
Should Christians do Yoga? Observe the Niyamas
Yoga philosophy is not a religion. The niyamas are ethical, inner observances and healthy disciplines that keep you on your journey to enlightenment. In my practice, this brings me closer to my God.
Saucha
Saucha is purity. We cleanse ourselves internally with yoga poses that twist and spine and squeeze the internal organs. We cleanse ourselves inside and outside. We keep our houses clean, our bodies clean, our minds on elevated topics, and our thoughts pure. Perhaps Christians could use the preparation for the sabbath day as a time of cleaning and purifying so that we can, “Remember to keep the sabbath day holy.”
Example of internal cleansing- yoga twist
Santosha
Santosha means contentment. When we are content, we do not desire more or less. We learn to be happy with what we have. Through my 10+ years of practicing yoga, my body has gone through hormonal changes, injuries, weight loss, weight gain. I have to learn to be happy with my body and the pose I am in during the moment. It can be challenging to be happy with the bodies we are given. At the basic level, our bodies are a gift from God. These amazing bodies should not treated with contempt. We love our bodies, we honor our God. This principle alone answers the question, “Should Christians do yoga?”
Tapas
Tapas is self-discipline. We use our intellect to stay on course and check our natural man tendencies. Enough said! To focus our self-discipline, I suggest studying sacred scripture daily for Christians and yoga philosophy for yogis.
Svadhyaya
This is the practice of self study. Should Christians do yoga? Yes, a Christian value system is rooted in self study and reflection. We are taught to daily reflect so that we may correct our mistakes a do better the next day. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12
Ishvara Pranidhana
Meaning, surrendering to Ishvara or the Self. Yoga can be found when we have humility and this is essential for spiritual growth. “Blessed are the humble, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5. Why should Christians do yoga? Because we when are humble and surrender to the self, we get a sense of inner peace, sense of service, and contentment. This is in a sense knowing that we have everything we need and we ask for nothing in return. We can see divinity in everything and this fuels the love for everyone and everything. To me, that is profound.
Should Christians Do Yoga? (In my opinion, yes!)
The meaning of the word Yoga is Union. When I practice yoga, I try to align my body, mind, and spirit toward a personal goal. Since my body, mind, and spirit are gifts from God, Yoga is a healthy way to align my God given gifts and pay tribute to them. As in the parable of the talents, we should not keep our gifts hidden under a rock. We are meant to use them.
Practicing yoga for the health of my body, the enlivening of my mind, and the healing of my spirit, are essential to the worship of my God. Greater still is the ability to teach others to revere these gifts as I share yoga in class. Should Christians do yoga? Yes!
This is the beauty of the modern yoga practice – it helps us unite the different parts of ourselves (body, mind, heart, and spirit) and from this place of integrated wholeness, be one with God.
