Yoga

yoga_xsmallcomp It’s difficult to fully describe the many benefits of a regular yoga practice to an audience. That being said, I will not do that here. I am a yoga student, and former children’s instructor, but have never formally studied yoga on an instructor level. I will instead write about my personal yoga experience, and share with you some inspiring and informative yoga links, in hopes that you will visit these various sites to gain a full understanding and appreciation for the study and practice of yoga.

Because yoga is a lifestyle, many people choose various aspects of the yoga philosophy to live by and various styles of yoga to practice. I encourage you to sample all that yoga has to offer, as you may be surprised at the transformation that can occur as a result of your curiosity.

My yoga practice is unlike anything else I have ever done for myself, physically, emotionally or spiritually. Although I had practiced years before becoming a mother, it was about six months after my first child was born when I returned to it, and I have never felt so confident, strong, energetic, calm and full of life. As a mom, I needed a place where I could be happy with myself, push my boundaries, clear my mind and gain confidence in my abilities. In body, mind and spirit, I hope this blog will inspire and delight you on your yoga journey. Whether you are a seasoned yogi or have never stepped your bare feet on a sticky mat, it doesn’t matter. If you are a Mom, you need yoga! (And….PSSST….your kids want in on the action too. This blog will give you lots of tips, ideas, and resources for family yoga fun with infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and big kids.)

Most people associate yoga with the asanas – the physical postures performed in sequence to stretch and strengthen the body. The first taste of yoga, for most, is the asana practice. However, there is so much more! According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the ancient text which defines yoga philosophy, there are eight limbs (“Ashtanga” in sanskrit) of yoga. These eight limbs, when understood and practiced, will purify the mind and lead you on a path towards enlightenment. You can read about the eight limbs of yoga at Expressions of Spirit.com.

There are many different styles of yoga and many different interpretations of the Sutras. I am fascinated and enlightened each time I discuss any of the Sutras with my yoga peers. As I dive deeper into various topics related to the Yoga Sutras, please join the discussion with your own experiences, thoughts, questions and observations. I welcome your comments!

For all of The PranaMama’s posts on Yoga, click HERE!

THE PRANAMAMA’s FAVORITE YOGA SITES & LINKS

Yoga Journal: Online version of the premier yoga publication.

Yoga Today: A wonderful online yoga studio with free classes every day! Shot in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

iYogaLife: A varied resource covering yoga practice, stress management, eating well, sex & relationships, product reviews, etc.

Sunrose Yoga: Full-length yoga classes taught by Kelly Connor, certified Shambhava Yoga teacher.

Yogamint: A Wealth of Healthy Tips and Treats

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Five Yoga Tricks to Help You Focus on Everyday Activities (Yoga Journal)

Mindfulness Training Busts Stress (CNN)

More to Yoga than Poses, Breathing and Relaxation (Yogainmyschool.com)

One Mom’s Experience Finding Yoga (Moms-blog.com)