Life is crazy. Yoga helps us to relieve some of this overwhelming stress and can be a mind, body, and spirit refresher. Take some of the lessons you’ve learned while on the mat, and bring them with you into the world with you:
Life is in the small moments.
Like when you’re in a pigeon and your hip flexors are screaming at you and your instructor advises you to use your breath, enjoy the sensations your body feels, and to become present in the moment. It is often in these brief moments we feel a release, a sense of enjoyment, or a moment of bliss. Enjoy these small special moments on and off your mat.
Stop and smell flowers as you walk by, feel a gentle breeze dance on your face, appreciate a smile from a stranger, feel the sensations of life.
Good posture is underrated.
Yoga classes often start and end seated on our mats. We are advised to root down, find length through the spine, open the chest and heart, engage the belly, and to not forget to breathe. It’s a lot to remember, I know.
Practice your good posture while you sit at work, eat lunch with friends, or are on a date. Practice, practice, practice. You will notice the difference in how you look and feel before you know it. Be proud of yourself and sit tall. Grow.
Just breathe.
Super simple; just breathe. Breathe like you do when in a yoga class. Slow, deep inhalations and exhalations. You notice the rise and fall of your belly and chest. These full relaxing breaths will calm you in moments of high stress, fear, or nervousness. Try it! Take 5 deep breaths in and out through your nostrils. Maybe even close your eyes. I am positive that you will feel more relaxed than before. Practice this in your daily life when the times get rough. Yoga breathing techniques in every day life – brilliant!
The power of now.
I talk a lot about this in my articles and it is as important now as any. Be present; fully and whole heartedly present in the current moment. Appreciate that you are alive and have the power to chose what you do with your life; it all starts with now. Remember what we teach you in yoga classes. Love yourself, move inward, become aware, and be mindful and present. Now!
Namaste.
Acknowledge the best in other people, always. We bow our heads to our fellow yoga students and whisper namaste at the end of class. Why do we not practice this outside of the studio? Humble yourself to see the greatness in other people around you.
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Zuzu is an independent artist, photographer, yoga instructor, and adventure enthusiast in Austin, TX. Her days are filled with coffee, paint, and daydreams. She believes mistakes are simply a beautiful opportunity for growth and that our own life experiences serves as our most valuable teachers. Zuzu recently graduated from Wanderlust’s first Teacher Training Program and is on a mission to continually expand her consciousness while following her journey down the yogic path. She is currently experimenting with the concept of a floating yoga studio and mixed medium practice.