Why Go to Yoga Class?

A few months ago, I went to a weekend workshop led by Jason Crandell, one of my long-time teachers. I had been feeling pretty bad about my yoga practice because (as I'm sure I've mentioned on this blog) I work nearly every minute of every day and I don't make it to yoga studios nearly as often as I'd like. In the workshop, Jason talked a lot about developing a personal practice and he mentioned that right now it just doesn't work for him to go to a yoga studio. He gets more out of practicing at home because it gives him the freedom to take his time and experiment with the things that he finds interesting and helpful, and he goes to a teacher a few times a year when he feels he needs to. It makes perfect sense.

Of course, it made me feel better about my practice to know that one of the yoga teachers I respect most in the world doesn't attend regular yoga classes. My home practice, no matter how irregular, at least gives me the opportunity to go inward, which is what the practice is all about. It's liberating to feel like when I go long stretches without setting foot in a studio, I don't have to feel guilty or disappointment with myself! This is what I love about yoga. It's good stuff.

But I will always love a good yoga class. I want to go to class when I can ... not because I need to or because I can't get what I need out of a home practice, but because it just feel right to me.

Here are 10 reasons I make every effort to go to yoga classes whenever I can ...

1. I like it.
2. I still have a TON to learn.
3. It inspires me--gets my creative juices flowing.
4. It's fun to meet new people, especially other yoga students!
5. I benefit from the positive energy of the collective group.
6. It makes me practice poses I know I'd never work on on my own.
7. Classes challenge me to hold poses longer, work a little harder, and push my limits. It's in classes that I'm capable of more than I ever thought possible.
8. A different perspective gives me new things to work on later.
9. Two words: Yoga Buzz.
10. Sometimes it's nice to let someone else guide you through the practice so you have to think less and really feel the present moment.

Why do you go to yoga classes?

108 Blessings: A List of Gratitude

I haven't had a great week. I'm sick, worn out, and just feeling bad. Bad things are happening.

Tonight, I took the dog for a walk, and as my sweet Penny was playing with a neighbor puppy when one of my most prized possessions, a special set of mala beads from my friends at Tiny Devotions, snapped. Beads flew everywhere.

It was the last straw. I freaked out.. Is this a bad omen? Are there worse things to come?

It's times like these that it's important to remember all the things that are good about life. So I'm making a list.. 108 things that I'm grateful for (in honor of my mala). Alternatively, this could be a list of a few of my favorite things and what makes me feel alive.

1. My family
2. My friends
3. My furry friends
4. My home
5. My health
6. My yoga practice
7. The sunshine
8. Air conditioning
9. Plenty of food to eat
10. The beach
11. The ocean
12. My beach umbrella
13. Fluffy little clouds
14. Rainbows
15. Unicorns (I just like the idea of them.)
16. Ahhhhh-vocado
17. Blueberries
18. Watermelon
19. My nieces and nephews
20. My online community
21. The sweetest and most supportive husband in the world
22. My job
23. My creative outlets
24. This blog
25. My education
26. The many opportunities I've been given
27. My mentors
28. My teachers
29. Challenges that help me grow
30. That feeling right after a great yoga class
31. That adjustment... you know the one.. in Down Dog
32. My breath
33. Snuggling with furry friends
34. Making new furry friends at the park
35. Watching furry friends frolic
36. Frolicking
37. Cupcakes
38. Ice cream
39. Popsicles
40. Sweet tea
41. Porch swings
42. Wooden rocking chairs
43. The fact that I live somewhere that I might actually be able to own a house with a porch someday
44. The fact that I live in a nation that let's me choose where I live
45. My eye sight
46. Hearing
47. Taste buds
48. Flower buds
49. Music
50. Laughter
51. Bright colors
52. Cool breezes
53. Soft bedding
54. Feet that connect me to the earth
55. Technology that connects me to the world
56. A brain that allows me to understand and connect with others
57. The ability to communicate
58. A washer and dryer in my home!
59. My dishwasher
60. Running water
61. Flushing toilets
62. Litter boxes
63. Clean drinking water
64. Clothes on my back
65. Clothes that make me feel fabulous
66. Shoes... I love shoes.
67. Being bare foot
68. Swimming
69. Tire swings
70. Good memories
71. Funny stories
72. Inside jokes
73. Peace and quiet
74. A good night's sleep
75. Hammocks
76. Savasana
77. Child's Pose
78. Poses I hate (that make me appreciate the ones I like that much more!)
79. Arm balances
80. Inversions
81. Good books
82. Fancy cheese
83. Kale chips
84. Cat naps
85. Down Dogs
86. Coffee. Mmmm.. Coffee
87. Chocolate Croissants
88. Learning new things
89. Holidays with family
90. Christmas ornaments
91. Dangly earrings
92. Fun printed fabrics
93. Handbags
94. Pictures on the walls
95. My magazine collection
96. Walks in the park
97. Moonlight
98. Candle light
99. Being silly
100. Making people laugh
101. Helping people
102. Sharing yoga with people
103. Finding creative solutions to problems
104. Watching things grow
105. Playing in the sand, dirt, and/or water
106. Epiphanies
107. Looking on the bright side
108. Seeing beauty everywhere

Do you count your blessings? What would you add to the list?

5 Things My Cat Taught Me About Yoga (Best of Spoiled Yogi)

1. There's no shame in taking cat naps. Savasana can happen anytime, anywhere. If I took Savasana as frequently as my cat Gracey does, I'd be diagnosed with narcolepsy. But that doesn't mean I can't be inspired by her natural tendency to rest when she needs to. There's also no shame in resting in Child's Pose or skipping a Chaturanga or two during your yoga practice. It's a sign of wisdom.

2. Be patient. Gracey has a lot in common with advanced yoga postures. For example, they both come to me when they are good and ready--and not a moment sooner. The best thing I can do is have patience, let go of expectations, and when that sweet moment finally comes, be ready to delight in the purring. 

3. Be persistent. When my cat gets a glimpse of a little red dot of light, created by my laser pointer, moving across the carpet, she chases it relentlessly. Even when the dot disappears, she will sometimes spend a very long time sniffing and pawing at the carpet looking for it. It's with that kind of determination, we should approach our practice. We know the peace we're seeking is there because we've seen it before. And if we keep working at it, we'll find it again!

4. Have faith. I could never be a pet. The concept of having complete trust in someone else to put your food out and provide you shelter and love is so foreign it's hard to imagine, but my kitty has no problem with that. She just trusts that her dinner will come. She doesn't have to know every detail about where it came from or what's coming next. She's just grateful to have another meal. In yoga, I might not always know when the next lesson is coming, but I trust that it will come when I need it.

5. Take care of yourself. You know what the best part about having a cat is? They clean themselves! I never have to chase Gracey around or think of clever ways to trick her into getting into the bathtub as I do with my dog. The yogic equivalent is when you have an injury, and you take the time understand it enough to explain it to your teacher, modify poses when you need to, or skip a pose altogether. (Of course, bathing yourself regularly is a good idea, too!)

What yogic lessons have you learned from your pets?

This was originally posted as part of my Top 5 Tuesdays blog at YogaJournal.com. Read more here. 

5 Things Yoga Poses Have Taught Me Aboout Life

1. Alignment, alignment, alignment. In yoga asanas it's important to align your body properly to avoid injuries. I know it sounds cheesy, but I'm learning that if I don't align the way I live my life with my values, I put myself at risk of injuring my spirit.

2. Don't create unnecessary tension. When I get into a pose that challenges me a great deal, the first thing I do is clench my teeth and tense my shoulders. This does not help me achieve the pose. When I face challenges in my life, I tend to panic, rush, place blame, and over-react. This does not help me to

3. If something isn't working, you have the power to change it. I love that joke where a man goes to the doctor with the complaint, "It hurts when I do this," and the doctor says, "Stop doing that, then." Sometimes it really IS that simple. If it hurts when you practice a pose a certain way... change the way you're practicing it. If you have a co-worker who is bringing you down with his constant negativity, you have the power to change the way you relate to that co-worker.

4. Little changes can make a HUGE difference. My practice completely changed when I learned not to jut my ribcage forward, lengthen my tailbone toward the ground, and engage my core. Seriously. Every pose felt different--stronger, more grounded, and all around improved. I don't have time to practice for two hours a day right now, but I can devote 30 minutes to my yoga, and 30 more minutes to writing, reading, and doing other things that make me happy. It's not much, but it totally shifts the entire day.

5. You are capable of more than you ever thought possible. I have to believe that whatever my goals are, I can accomplish them if I approach them determination, hard work, and persistence. Just a few years ago, I saw someone do a challenging arm balance and thought that I'd NEVER be strong enough to do that no matter what. But I can do them now (at least for a brief moment) because I just kept practicing, gaining strength, and learning the technique little by little. It did not happen over night. I remind myself of this when I get discouraged by the small paychecks that trickle in from my writing projects or rejections yoga teaching auditions. It's only a matter of time... so we might as well enjoy the process.

5 Props Every Beginning Yoga Student Should Have

One of my first yoga teachers kicked my ass with props. (No, not literally! Although, I once dropped one of those wooden blocks on my toe, making the nail black for months.) Anyway, when I was a wee beginning yoga student, I thought props were for sissies. Or people who were too out of shape to touch their toes. Or for people seeking a "gentle" practice. Since I did not want to be any of these things, I would just struggle through every pose without any help, thank you very much. When my teacher suggested some of the people in the room might benefit from use of a prop, I'd just smile because I knew she was clearly not talking to me. It went this way for months until one day my teacher made a sweet suggestion to use a block. I ignored her. Then, she looked me in the eye and suggested a block again, this time a little more firmly. I still ignored her, sure she wasn't talking to me. Finally she stood up, walked across the room, picked up a block, walked back across the room and put it in my face. "Here! You need this!" I was embarrassed. I was also mad for at least a week. But I decided that in her class I might as well just use the blasted prop so she wouldn't embarrass me again. After a few more classes I realized that props were actually helping my practice--I was able to go deeper into the pose, feel things I'd never noticed before. I had been converted!

Guess what!? I've been practicing for eight years now and props are STILL a necessity. Only now I know that props are not a sign of weakness--they're a useful tool and EVERYBODY needs to use them sometimes.

That said, here's my list of yoga props every beginning yoga student should have in their homes. If you practice in a yoga studio you probably don't need to lug all of your props with you (they will have plenty there!), but it's nice to have your own stuff for your home practice--which is where most of the transforming takes place!

1. Yoga Mat. Yoga mats are important to keep your hands and feet from slipping as you practice. I think it's important to have your own for two reasons. 1-Renting a mat is icky. There's sweat, germs, bacteria, and I don't even want to know what else on there. 2-It's an investment in your commitment to the practice. It's also a physical reminder to practice when you see your yoga mat propped up in the corner of a room somewhere.

2. Eye Pillow. Eye pillows are my favorite prop ever! Sure, they're great for Savasana. But there are a lot of different uses, too. (Click here for a list.) If you don't want to spend the $20 on a cutesy one in your yoga studios boutique you can easily make your own. You don't even have to sew! Just fill up one of those socks you have laying around without a match and fill it up with rice, beans, or flax seeds.

3. Strap. Straps are important--not just for those times when you can't reach your toes--but also for those times when your hands can almost clasp or when you can ALMOST back bend so deeply you can ALMOST touch your foot to the back of your head. Everyone needs one. But you don't have to have a "yoga" strap. If you're at home a plain ol' belt that holds your jeans up will work just as well in most cases!

4. Blocks. Blocks bring the floor closer to you when you can't quite reach. But they also are great for giving you a little extra lift when you're learning arm balances or jumping through. I recommend you get two sturdy wooden blocks (just make sure you don't drop them on your toes!). The foam ones are too squishy and feel like they might collapse if you put your weight on them. Of course, if you don't have blocks yet I'm sure you have some things around the house you can substitute--a stack of text books, maybe?

5. Blanket (or 2). Blankets are another versatile yoga prop. You can fold them so they're thick or thin, long or narrow. Two blankets stacked on top of each other make a suitable alternative for a bolster for restorative poses. Blanket Folding 101 -- Lie or sit over the side with the fold not the blanket's edges so you'll be even and more supported.

Just Say No -- To Yoga Guilt!

Image: Canada.com

When I first started practicing yoga, I had this idea of what a yoga student should be like. They're obviously health nuts who are incredibly fit, morally and ethically responsible, and have amazing self-discipline. Somewhere along the line I got the idea that yoga students should be, well, perfect. So I spent a lot of time feeling guilty about the fact that I, in fact, was very far from perfect. When classmates discussed their raw food diets or recent trips to an environmentally-friendly spa, I would be quitely (pardon the expression) sweating like a hooker in church. After a few years of yoga under my belt, I now know that this was really REALLY stupid.

Feeling guilty doesn't help us reach our health goals. It doesn't make us happier. And it certainly doesn't help us to change our habits or make us better, more balanced people. In fact, feeling guilty about the things that make you who you are is directly contradictory to the practice of yoga. Instead of feeling guilty about something, I'm trying to learn to accept it, admit that no one is perfect, and move on! It doesn't mean that I stop striving to be better. It just means that I stop beating myself up about being who I am.

Here are 5 things I'm choosing not to feel guilty about any more...

1. I am not the picture of health. I guess the most unhealthy thing I do is consume mass quantities of sugar. I'm a Southern gal that grew up on sweet tea ... and it goes straight to my thighs. However, I consider it as much a part of my culture as Krishna is to the ancient yogis and I will not (EVER) give it up completely. Don't even THINK about trying to talk me into it. Oh, I also love potato chips, and and I watch more television than really any person really should. But, this is all a part of who I am. And yoga teaches us to celebrate who we are in this moment, not some fake, idealized version of who we want ourselves to be in the future. So, there it is.

2. I do not meditate and/or practice every single day. My television habit could be partially to blame, but there are days when I'm simply not in the mood for all this yoga crap (yes, I did say yoga crap and no, I'm not sorry). It's usually just when I've had a bad day and, admittedly, need my yoga practice the most--but I'm not always rational enough to see that in the moment. I almost always remember why I love this practice so much the next time I get to my mat and realize I was crazy for skipping a day... which is punishment enough.

3. Sometimes, I'm not nice. Here's the thing about being human... It's not always pretty. Sometimes people are jerks, and yoga students are people, too. You get where I'm going with this? No one should expect you to be perfect just because you practice yoga. And those people who might expect perfection, like I did when I first started practicing, don't know much about yoga ... so screw them! (See? I told you sometimes I'm not nice!) 

4. I hate reading ancient yoga texts. They're just so ... boring and hard to understand! I'd rather read a yoga memoir, magazine, or blog any day of the week. I learn better from my peers who write in normal, clear, easy-to-understand English. As of now, I see no reason to sit and torture myself with the Yoga Sutras when I can be inspired, educated, AND entertained by the works of a modern writer instead.

5.  I like things.  Shiny things, stretchy things, new things, old things, big things, little things... I just like things! I know, I know.. Shocker! And I like people, too (most of the time). So I'm never going to be like the ancient yogis who gave up all their material things and went to live in isolation in a cave somewhere. I keep aparigraha (non-grasping) in the back of my mind--which helps me come to a place of balance. But I believe I can can live a modern lifestyle and still reap at least some of the benefits of yoga, and that's good enough for me. 

What things have you felt guilty about since you started practicing yoga, and how has the practice helped you to overcome your feelings of guilt?

5 (More) Signs That You Might Have a Yoga Addiction

1. You will buy anything—and I mean anything—with an Om sign on it.

2. You suddenly find yourself empathizing with that jerk that cut you off on the freeway. After all, he is a spark of the Divine, too.

3. You'd rather attend a yoga class than do other things you once did for entertainment, such as going to a bar or a movie.

4. You practice yoga awareness when you eat, talk, work, rest, and play.

5. When you finally wear a hole in your yoga mat you are so proud of yourself you show it off to all of your friends—like a yogic badge of honor.

How did you know when you'd become addicted to yoga?

Be sure to catch 5 more signs that you might yoga addiction tomorrow on my blog Top 5 Tuesdays at YogaJournal.com.

If I Owned a Yoga Studio ...

... I'd have at least one free class a month. And when I say free, I mean FREE!, not donation-based or almost free. Why? Because people who would have never tried a class will show up. And we all know it only take a couple of classes to get hooked! And I think that would make the world a better place.

... I'd mop the floors between every class. I would not allow entrance to the next class until it is spic and span. I hate walking through puddles of sweat!

... I'd have free tea and lots of cozy couches in the lobby to encourage students to stick around, talk yoga, hang out, and make friends. A yoga studio is only as good as its community.

... Oh! And a library of great yoga reference books that my students could check out!

... I'd host a free monthly yoga book club.

... I'd offer free classes to anyone who is mayor of my studio on Foursquare. It would inspire healthy competition and get all the Foursquare-hooked kids coming back again and again.

... I'd offer free classes to the city's actual mayor, too. Because I think that would make the city a better place.

... I would sell chocolate in the boutique... And cupcakes... And hot chocolate in the winter.

... My teacher training program would have a yoga community service requirement. It would be a double-whammy because the more you teach, the better you get at it. And yoga should be shared with everyone, not just those who can afford it.

I think that's all. If you owned your own yoga studio, what would you do?

What Not to Wear: Yoga Teachers

 

Not meant to be an example.

1. Cleavage. I don't mind a little cleavage peeking out of a flirty little black dress, but for yoga teachers this is a big no-no. As a teacher, your job is to help your student shift his focus internally. And that might be hard for him to do when your goods are on display.

2. Too Tight or Too Loose. See explanation with no-no Number 1. This is not the place to let it all hang out.

3. Body Hair. Some teachers can get away with this one.. Like men (which is SO not fair.) Or yoga teachers from foreign lands where shaving is not the cultural norm... But on the rest of us... body hair just looks kind of icky. If you don't feel like shaving your legs, please just choose full length pants over capris or shorts--especially if you know you give a lot of up-close-and-personal adjustments.

4. Funky Feet. I have been guilty of this one a time or two.. You don't have to have perfectly pedicured toes for every yoga class, but polish chipping off or thick calluses can be a distraction. Oh, and no toe nail fungus... EVER!

5. No Personality. I think one of the biggest fashion mistakes a yoga teacher can make is not letting their personalities speak through the way they look. A lot of teachers buy basic yoga pants and tops, and just throw them on and head to the studio. But if they had an office job, they might put a little more thought into their accessories. Don't let the yoga clothing companies dictate your style! Once you have enough basics think of creative little touches you can add to your look that lets your personality shine--scarves, jewelry, wraps, bags, and leg warmers will all make your look more interesting and unique in a totally appropriate way!

What is the worst fashion mistake you've ever seen a yoga teacher make?

Top Dogs and Their Yoga Humans: A Collective Lesson in Living in the Now

I love my furry friends. They teach me SO much about life and yoga. How to be content, how to love unconditionally, how to be present ... I could go on.. The point is, my animals make my life better.

As you might already know one of my hobbies is stalking--I mean, reading about--other yoga students and teachers on the web to glean as much inspiration as possible. It's obvious that I'm not the only yogi who gets schooled by her pets. So I thought I'd pull some of the best yoga + dog writings I could find online and share them with you in time for Thanksgiving. Maybe it will make you want to give a few extra table scraps to the pup you love!

Image: Gwen Bell

1. Dog: Redford
Human: ElephantJournal.com Founder Waylon Lewis
Breed: Rescue Mutt

Waylon is thankful for: "My puppy, because he’s cute and listens to me most of the time, and because he teaches me more about patience and myself than anyone except my guru, Trungpa Rinpoche, or my guru, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, or whatever girlfriend happens to be putting up with me, or not, at any given time."

Read more here.



2. Dog: Scarlet
Human: Meredith LeBlanc
Breed: Rescue Pug

"Scarlet, our Pug, has been a huge catalyst for change in our home. Her enthusiasm and joie de vivre is contagious. Every moment to her is worth savoring and she is totally right. We'd kind of forgotten that until she moved in with us."

Read more here.



3. Dog: Ashi

Human: Kathryn Budig
Breed: Puggle

"She knows what is important in life: good food, and lots of it. Getting excited about the smallest things like the phone ringing. It means someone interesting is on the other line. Most importantly, good love and the ability to give and recieve it all day long."

Read more here.

Image: cyndisphere

4. Dog: Leroy
Human: Cyndi Lee
Breed: Chocolate Poodle

"Leroy and I went to the park yesterday but when I started turning right to leave, he pulled hard to go left.  He is a stubborn poodle so I said, “Okay, we can walk around the fountain that way today,” and to the left we went. Where there was a huge crowd gathered around and lot of buzzing conversations.  Then I saw what was going on — there were literally hundreds of boxes sitting on the ground under the big famous arch at the end of Fifth Avenue.  Every box was wrapped in a coral colored cloth with a bow on top — a Japanese kind of wrapping thing.  It looked amazing and beautiful.  People were all excited and taking the boxes.  I looked around to see if it was a giveaway from some big company like Revlon or something but, no. No big promotional thing happening.  So I thought, I’ll take a box, too.  I picked one up and then I thought, “No. I don’t want this. I don’t want more stuff.”  So I put it down and started to walk away and then I saw a tiny sign that said:

EMPTY IS NOT EMPTY. FULL IS NOT FULL."

Read more. 

5. Dog: Schmutzie
Human: Dave Romanelli
Breed: Rescue Toy Poodle

"Schmutzie's training doubled as a personal growth seminar. And Schmutzie was no less than a furry sort of spiritual companion. In order to get to a point where I could walk Schmutzie without a leash, I learned that I needed to practice pulling my mind out of downward spirals of negative thinking; to prevent my mind's foolish foolish scampers into dark, foggy reals; to quell my mind's ADD-driven spastic leaps from thought to thought. Only when my mind stabilized and relaxed would Schmutzie truly respect me."

Excerpted from Yeah Dave's Guide to Living' in the Moment. Click here to read more.

And, of course, I am most inspired by my sweet rescue mutt Penny and cute, deaf kitty Gracey.


5 Things My Dog Taught Me about Yoga

5 Things My Cat Taught Me about Yoga

What lessons have you learned from your furry friends?

Spoiled Yogi's Holiday Gift Guide

What do you get for the yoga student who has everything? It might seem impossible to get your loved one something you know he'll love if you know he already has the mat and all the fixin's (that means props, clothes, etc.). Here are a few fabulous presents for the yoga student who only seeks presence. (Get it!? I know, I'm hilarious, right?)

1. Infinity Scarf. Perhaps your yoga-obsessed friend already has two dresser drawers so full of yoga clothes that she can barely shut them. (Not that I know anyone like that...) She could probably still use a few things to help her stay warm and stylish to and from class. My favorite accessory of the season? The infinity scarf! It gives you the look of a trendy cowl neck sweater but with a lot more diversity! They're warm. They're cozy. And they can double as an eye covering during Savasana! I like this one.

2. Namaspray. Most yoga students have their own yoga mat for sanitation reasons--communal mats have been known to spread unpleasant things like Athlete's Foot and plantar warts. Personally, I'm not that excited about smushing my Third Eye into my own funk either, which is why I love the mat cleaner Namaspray. It disinfects, smells great, and it's the perfect size for a stocking stuffer.

3. Meditation Mala. This is my newest obsession. A mala is stylish as well as functional. I love my Tiny Devotions mala because you can pick your stone based on a virtue you want to cultivate (ie. balance, communication, love)

4.  Local Yoga Studio Gift Card. This might be the best gift you could possibly give a yoga student. And it's SO easy. Just find out where she practices, give them a call, and you're done! A month of unlimited yoga is pretty much the holy grail of yoga gifts if you really want to impress. Otherwise, just pay for a couple of classes and you'll be golden.

5. Online Subscription. What if your yogi is so remote there are no studios close to them? There are a ton of online yoga video instruction subscriptions that will give him the feeling of being in a class from the comfort of his own home! I like YogaGlo, Yoga Vibes, and iHanuman.

What's on your wish list this year?

5 Reasons to Pamper Yourself

'Tis the season... But before it gets into full swing and you find yourself braving lines at the mall, shaking your head at your credit card bills, and worrying about you'll wear to the obligatory office holiday party give yourself a little love. Need an excuse? I'll help you out! Here are 5 Reasons to Pamper Yourself!

1. You work hard. You give so much to other people in your life. Take care of yourself. Re-fuel so you'll have more to give and you can continue to make the world a better place.

2. Just think of all the amazing things you're missing while you're zooming around from Point A to Point B! Slow down. Look around. This is your life! Are you enjoying it? Do something that makes you feel vibrant!

3. If you don't take care of yourself, who will? As an adult, you're the only one who can set priorities and make sure you're healthy, strong, and happy. Your mom would approve!

4. It's easy! It doesn't have to be expensive or even time-consuming. Take a breath. Ask yourself, "What do I need in this moment to be inspired, motivated, and feel good about life?" Maybe it's a few minutes on the yoga mat or meditation cushion, to curl up with a book in the bathtub, or a night out with the girls. Don't be too busy to take care of yourself.

5. Set an example for your loved ones. You want them to pamper themselves every now and then, right? Show them how it's done!

When was the last time you pampered yourself?

10 Ways to Trick Your Husband into Doing Yoga

1. Tell him it will make him sleep like a baby -- a happy, relaxed, content baby.

2. Try this line: "Yoga is about being, not about doing. You're actually doing it right now, Honey. You just don't know it."

3. Embody the bliss . . . and wait for him to come to you. I think it was Alanna Kaivalya who, in a workshop I took with her at a conference, said you can't get someone to come to your way of thinking by forcing them. It's much more effective if you attract them by being nonchalant and mysterious about it. "Wow, you look really relaxed and great lately! What are you doing?" "Oh, nothing really. It's just the yoga. You can come with me next time if you want."

4. Start simple, with one pose. I suggest Savasana (Corpse Pose) or Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose).

5. Let him think it's a massage. Spy your dearest hunched over his keyboard. Take the opportunity to give him a sweet shoulder adjustment. Over time, you'll see him sit up a little straighter in the chair.

6. Sneak a little yoga philosophy into your everyday conversations. "I'm sorry you had a bad day at work. But we can enjoy the evening together, right? Just be here in the present moment?"

7. Take advantage of holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. Anwser the question "What do you want for your birthday/Christmas/Valentine's Day/our anniversary?" with a simple. "If you don't know what to get you could always just go to a yoga class with me . . ." Just make sure it's a jovial suggestion, and not a guilt trip or a nag.

8. Play Krishna Das in the background while you're doing chores around the house.

9. Don't try to be his teacher. Imagine how you'd feel if he were correcting your poses. Unless you're doing a restorative practice together, leave your house and go to a class for heavens sake! You want this to be a pleasant experience not something that starts an argument.

10. Make sure your intentions are for his happiness and well-being, not your own.

My Mat Stinks (and Other Embarassing Yoga Faux Pas)

Before yoga class started tonight, I decided to rest in Child's Pose. But when I let myself melt into the floor, third eye resting blissfully upon my mat for a few moments of silence, something unpleasant happened. I took a deep breath in, ready to take in the moment, when I suddenly realized... My mat smelled like old, sweaty gym socks. I sat up. I looked to my left... and to my right. Can they smell it, too? I made eye contact with an older gentleman. He smiled politely.

A yoga studio may be a place where people gather to find balance and bliss, but, let's face it, there are opportunities for embarrassment everywhere you look. Have you ever slipped on a puddle of sweat in Tree Pose? I have. Here are a few other ways I've embarrassed myself in a yoga class.

1. Stinky, Sweaty, Disgusting Yoga Mat. By the time I noticed my mat spelled like stinky gym socks, it was too late. I just had to play it off like it wasn't a problem.

2. Getting Kicked in the Head. You know those studios where they cram the mats so close to each other you stick your feet in each other's faces in Supta Padangusthasana (Reclining Big Toe Pose)? Well, it's particularly dangerous during jump backs. Once, I got kicked right smack between the eyes. It hurt... but I think the girl who kicked me was more embarrassed than I was.

3. No Partner for Partner Poses. In yoga class, we're usually all adults, so when your teacher suggests you "grab a partner" it shouldn't feel like you were the last poor kid picked for the kick ball team... and yet, it always stings a little.

4. Body, Um, Noises. It happens to everyone. In yoga, you use your body in new ways. You create tension in your muscles so you can let it go... but sometimes you might let more than tension go.

5. Holey Pants. I once noticed there was a hole in my yoga pants during Happy Baby Pose. I quickly aborted the mission and chose a more conservative modification.

OK... now it's your turn. What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you during a yoga class?

5 Habits to Break, Right Now!

In yoga, we call the habits and patterns that we develop are called samskaras. The more you practice something a particular way, the more likely you are to do it that way again. Yoga is all about taking us out of our unhealthy habitual patterns and developing healthy ones instead. I'll never forget the time a yoga teacher corrected my alignment in a pose--what she was asking me to do seemed impossible, my body simply would not move in that way. I stopped the class. "Wait a minute... How do you practice moving toward an action when you can't do it even just a little bit?" She looked baffled for a moment. Then, she said something along the lines of, "You develop the awareness by just noticing, and thinking of the intention to change it."

What works in yoga poses, typical works in life as well. So here goes. My intentions to change the unhealthy habits of my mind.

1. Negative Thoughts. You get good at the things you practice. This is what I try to remind myself every time I get lost in a haze of negativity... which is often. I want to be good at enjoying life, cultivating happiness, and sharing joy -- so that's the kind of pattern I want to establish in my mind.

2. Comparing Apples to Oranges. Suzie Q has such a deep backbend she can touch the tops of her feet to her perfectly quaffed hair do. She also has an amazing job, lots of money, and did I mention perfect hair? It is tempting to draw comparisons, and even as I do it, I know it's dumb. There's nothing productive about comparing yourself to others, and most of the time someone else's life isn't what it seems. Instead, I'm working to be grateful for the many blessings in MY life.

3. Finding a Scapegoat. YOU are responsible for your OWN happiness--YOU! Not your your spouse or your manager, not your mother or your siblings, not EVEN that jerk that cut you off during rush-hour traffic. Stop blaming other people for your stress, and take responsibility for your own actions and reactions.

4. Creating Unnecessary Tension. I am a master at inflicting undue stress and tension upon myself. I regularly let my mind run rampant with "what if's" to the point that I can't think about anything else. I don't even notice it until I feel my shoulders creep up toward my ears and notice my breath is shallow and hurried. Sure, I could do some stretches to alleviate the physical symptoms of stress, but it would be a lot easier not to let my mind go there to begin with. So instead of stressing about things that may or may not even happen, my intention is to relax in the moment and stress ONLY when there's a reason to stress. Prevention is worth a pound of cure.

5. Putting Other Things Before My Health. I hate watching other people choose to work when they really need to slow down and take a breath. And yet, I find myself doing exactly that--even though I know better. Whether your job is taking care of an infant or a Fortune 500 company you'll be better at it if you eat right and get plenty of exercise and sleep. Duh!

5 Things Football and Yoga Have in Common

Image source: Dailylobo.com

Let me just begin this blog by saying, I don't get football.. No matter how hard I try to sit down and watch—no matter how determined I am to pay attention and get into it—my mind wanders and I daydream about baking cupcakes or jumping on a trampoline.. you know, more important things. When my husband has it on (like right now) I usually find something else to do while I wait for it to be over. For example, I try to watch, but end up writing a blog instead.

Regardless, I like to think I can come up with a way to relate yoga to anything... even something as mysterious (and loud) as football. So here goes.

5 Things Football and Yoga Have in Common

1. Community. Both football and yoga are about community. Football fans cheer together; yogis breathe together. It's the same thing, really.

2. Training for Stressful Situations. Football players have to keep their cool under TONS of pressure. Honestly, I don't know how they handle it. Yoga students practice keeping calm in difficult poses so we can stay calm in stressful life situations.

3. Coaches. In yoga we call them teachers. They are our guides, our leaders, and our strategists. They help us find our edge and encourage us to do things we never thought were possible.

4. Cheerleaders. It might be the same thing as community, but we yoga students are cheerleaders for each other. We believe that by supporting each other, we're supporting ourselves and vice verse. That's what we mean when we say Namaste, isn't it? It's the yoga equivalent of, "Go Team!!"

5. Sweat, Spandex, and Spirit!

I know there have to be more similarities... help me out here, football fans!

In other news, my favorite part of football has always been the commercials. I LOVE this one.. and now I'd really like a pet polar bear. I already have a white cat and almost white dog... why not a big white bear, too?

5 More Things Your Teacher Wants You to Know

Image: www.discoveryyoga.com

1. When your teacher says it's OK to take care of yourself--rest in Child's Pose, modify a difficult pose to make it better suit your body's needs for the day, etc.--she actually means it!

2. While it might be somewhat rude to come into class a few minutes late, it's preferable to not coming at all. You have to practice to get the benefits of yoga and your teacher knows sometimes the traffic doesn't cooperate.

3. It's the ultimate compliment to your teacher when you have an emotional break-through and shed a tear during class. It's OK! It means you released some emotion you were holding in your body!

4. Your teacher is probably not a mind reader. If he does something that makes you feel bad--whether it's an adjustment that pushes you too far or a comment that embarrasses you in front of the class--tell him! He really wants to give you the best experience possible!

5. You know how the perfect yoga class for your mood and energy level makes your entire day? Hearing that the class she led made her students day better will make your yoga teacher's day better. Just as you like to hear positive feedback when your poses are improving, your teacher would probably like to hear feedback about her teaching. (BTW, showing up to class regularly is an excellent way to give this feedback!)

Note: Many of the items on this list came from reader suggestions from an earlier post! For more read, 5 Things Your Yoga Teacher Wants You to Know.

5 More Things Every Beginning Yoga Student Should Know

Image: Fitsugar.com

1. Everyone gets the left and right sides mixed up sometimes. Don't be embarrassed when this happens. If your teacher corrects you, just smile. There's a good chance she'll say "left" when she means "right" later in the class.

2. It's cool to fall down. The first time I fell on my face while attempting an arm balance, I was mortified. Now, when I get a big red mark on my forehead from diving head-first into my mat, I consider it a badge of honor. It's how you learn. Laugh at yourself and move on!

3. No one cares if you can do a Handstand in the middle of the room, or touch your foot to the back of your head, or some other advanced pose. Just start where you are, and your practice will build over time. You've got the rest of your life to master the poses--for now, just breathe.

4. Your teacher wants you to ask for help. No one understands the temptation to hide in the back row and pretend to be invisible more than I do. But believe me when I say yoga teachers LOVE to answer your questions. Your teacher really wants to help you with your pose, answer your question about philosophy, or explain what that Sanskrit word means. So if you don't understand what's going on, ask!

5. Keep coming back. When your new to anything there will be moments of frustration and discomfort. Despite what you might see on TV commercials, hatha yoga is usually not the same as going to a spa to get pampered. It's hard work. It can be exhausting--physically, mentally, and emotionally. At times you will want to throw up your hands and quit (or at least curse out your teacher for making you hold that pose you hate). Don't. This is where the healing happens. Breathe into it, and come back tomorrow. You'll be glad you did.

For more, read 5 Things Every Beginning Yoga Student Should Know.

5 Reasons to Practice in Your Living Room

1. You get to choose your own adventure. Have you ever gone to a yoga class to find the teacher planned to focus on an intense backbend practice when all you have the energy to do is lie over a bolster? Yeah, me too. When I practice in my living room, I can do whatever I want. I like being in charge.

2. Be free from fashion rules. You don't have to worry about panty lines, falling out of your top, or other common wardrobe malfunctions.

3. Be FREE. If you need to swing around like a crazy person in Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) to release your neck, you can do it without fear of judgement... No one will think you're a crazy person (even if you are) because no one's watching. Except maybe your husband, but he probably already knows you're a crazy person.

4. Set your own schedule. You don't have to follow someone else's schedule. You can practice any time you feel like it! After years of following studio schedules, it's a liberating feeling.

5. Be your own teacher. I have been notoriously bad about practicing at home--I like to be led by others so I don't have to think--but the times I've practiced alone and followed my intuition has taught me a lot about yoga and a lot about myself.

10 Signs Your Yoga Teacher Might be a Skeez

There are two kinds of yoga teachers in the world--those who are beautiful, airy, bright, and want to make the world a better place, and those who can only be described as creepy, icky, skeez balls.

Ogden: The Inappropriate Yoga Guy

This is my definition of teachers who fits into the second category:

 1. She lingers a little too long after she gives you an adjustment.

2. He puts down other teachers or schools of yoga, insisting that his is the only right method.
 
 3. She never says "I don't know" or "That's something you'll have to decide for yourself."

 4. He doesn't wash his hair or wear deodorant, and you think you might pass out from the stench every time he comes close to give you an adjustment.

 5. She has obvious favorites and doesn't try to distribute her attention evenly amongst all her students.

 6. He doesn't respect your body's limitations.

 7. She doesn't respect your religion, culture, or ethnic background.

 8. He is more interested in your money than your well-being.

 9. Her top shows too much cleavage or his yoga shorts are too tight.

10. She screams out verbal cues directed at you loudly so the whole class knows when you're out of alignment.

I know this is just the tip of an iceberg. Please add to the list of skeezy yoga teacher behavior by commenting below!