Easy Steps to Enjoy Your Yoga Experience (by Claudia Gutierrez)

A yoga class is a treat to yourself.

Few moments in life allows us to step out of the stress of the normal life and return back home, to our body, feelings and emotions in a safe place and just be…

Acceptance is key!

·         Acceptance of the current state of strength and flexibility of your body. Some days we feel great and we are capable to do amazing things, to hold almost every pose with ease and even try those challenging ones. Other days, well… It seems that even sitting with the legs crossed is something destined only for yogis heroes…  In those days, be kind and gentle with yourself and your body. If you need to be all the class in shavasana or in a restorative pose go for it!! It exactly what you need! Have always close by a bolster in case you need to rest and give to yourself a big dose of TLC! It’s ok!! Rest and relax. You will be rocking again in not time!

·         Acceptance of your body as it is. Shape, size, flexible or stiff, strong or weak, however you perceive it, let I be, own it with grace. You and your body are unique. No need to wish to be different. Honour it with all the flaws that you see (as only you think there are flaws!!). You are beautiful and perfect the way you are!

·         Acceptance of your present situation and this moment in particular. Again, own the moment you are living right now and accept whatever it brings to you. Yoga helps to see it as ok (even if you think there are so many things to change!) Not now, not in this moment. Just allow yourself and your body to be. Get lost in the sensations and feelings. You are in the right place doing exactly what it is supposed to be.

·         Avoid competition and comparison! Everybody is different and it meant to be that way!  (Imagine a world where everybody is the same – pretty boring!!). So, when you are in your poses, don’t look to how the other person besides you performs. Focus in yourself and your experience. We all have different body shapes and abilities. Maybe you feel bad because you can touch your toes and the other person can, but, in the next pose, probably you can do “better” than him or her, so, what is the point to compare? The way that you are now is the way that has to be. The place where you arrive in that pose, is the right for you at this moment in time. No worries attached! Again accept where you are right now and your conditions and everything will fall into place.

When working in the poses:

Always build the pose from the floor, from your grounding. Every part of your body that is in contact with the floor become your foundation. And from there is like building a castle, so, going from bottom to top expanding and growing without lose the connection with the floor. The more rooted you are, the more you can grow J (Imagine yourself as big tree)

With the same idea, work from the centre of your body to expand and grow toward your limbs. (starfish)

Maintain the flow of your breathing. Don’t block it. Allow your body to be open and moved naturally by your breath. Agitated breathing means you went too far! Come back to a place where you can maintain a comfortable rhythm.

Don’t push so much! Go to a place where you feel the stretch but not pain. Pain means you went too far again! Always be kind and gentle with your body and yourself! When competition and pride kick in, just breath and remember that you don’t need it, you are perfectly ok as you are!!

Allow yourself and your body to enjoy the different poses:  Let go completely in the relaxed poses (sweet and trusting surrender) and enjoy the feeling of power and strength in the standing and balancing poses.

Humour in essential!! Don’t get caught in your need to be perfect. When learning new and challenging poses approach it with curiosity and a good sense of humour and bring out the child in you and have fun!

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