Channel Your Inner Yogi
A monthly guide to challenge your yoga practice
30 Day Challenge of the Month!
Begin each day by expressing one thing you are grateful for. Share with me @YogiMegs, I will be sharing mine. 30 days of #Gratitude
Hurdle of the month
The challenge I faced was to not fall back into the unsuccessful, unhappy ways of my past. How have I overcome this hurdle?
Write it all down... What needs to be done, schedule time for everything; schoolwork, work, eating, exercising etc.. When you see it all on paper it can look intimidating. That's okay remember what yoga and meditation has taught you. To take a moment, focus on your breath, and create space for calm. Remember what you are working towards and focus on what you have accomplished. Focus on the positive and always remember that your capable of anything you put your mind to.
"You may not see the changes overnight, but you may just change your day."
Top Three Restorative Yoga Poses
Reclining Big Toe Pose/Supta Padangusthasana
Benefits
- Stretches hips, thighs, hamstrings, groins, and calves
- Strengthens the knees
- Stimulates the prostate gland
- Improves digestion
- Relieves backache, sciatica, and menstrual discomfort
- Therapeutic for high blood pressure, flat feet, and infertility
Corpse Pose/Savasana
Benefits
- Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
- Relaxes the body
- Reduces headache, fatigue, and insomnia
- Helps to lower blood pressure
Reclining Bound Angle Pose/Supta Baddha Konasana
- Stimulates abdominal organs like the ovaries and prostate gland, bladder, and kidneys
- Stimulates the heart and improves general circulation
- Stretches the inner thighs, groins, and knees
- Helps relieve the symptoms of stress, mild depression, menstruation and menopause
Top Blogs I'm Reading... Check Them Out For Yourself
YOGANONYMOUS
Check them out to become in touch with yourself and maybe even gain the courage to publish something original.
Daily Cup of Yoga
MindBodyGreen
How-to: Start a meditation practice
Whether its to lower levels of stress, increase your ability to focus or just to be more mindful, begin your meditation with intention.
2. Focus on Your Breath
Find a quiet safe space, bring a cushion or blanket, sit with your back straight, close your eyes or simply direct them downward and focus on your breathing. Your thoughts will drift, that's okay let them- bring your focus back to your breath.
3. Start Small
It's a process and practice makes you stronger. Try 3-5minutes to start and gradually increase as your concentration muscles become stronger.
4. Set a Time Frame
Like all new challenges, set a time frame of 30 days to let your mind and body guide you. Maybe it will work and maybe it won't, but don't be hard on yourself if it doesn't.
5. Set Daily Schedule
Make it apart of your daily routine. Whether it's in the morning with your tea/coffee, or at night as a way to decompress and power down before bed.
6. Create Your Own Ritual
I personally like to turn down all the lights, light a few candles, wrap a blanket around my shoulders. Or if it's the morning I bring that blanket near the window and allow the sunrise to awaken my body.
7. Get a Meditation Buddy
Similar to a work out buddy, but done on your own time. A simple exchange of how your meditation went and how you feel as a result of it, send them well wishes for the day and keep each other accountable.
8. Incorporate Meditation into Small Spaces Throughout the Day
Your daily commute, take a few deep breaths. Slumping at your desk? Take a break, get outside, walk and breathe. Doesn't have to be a formal session just a small way of incorporating it into your life mindfully.
9. Use an App, if Necessary.
If you need more guidance, try the Headspace app, a great way to get started and keep yourself accountable.
10. Enjoy it!
It takes time to become mindful, don't be too hard on yourself. Gives thanks to yourself for taking the initiative and time, you are what matters.
Informative Event of the Month
The Yoga Conference & Show
Friday, Apr 1, 2016, 10:00 AM
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, ON, Canada
About Meghan
Walk with me on this journey and celebrate a life of purpose and wellbeing!
Email: yogimeghan@gmail.com
Twitter: @YogiMegs