| While I am sure that the philosophy of yoga will vary | | | | don't breathe correctly. Upper chest breathing only |
| according to who you speak to, my basic version can | | | | utilizes part of our lungs. Breathing practices in yoga |
| enhance your life. The simple philosophy of yoga can | | | | allow us to make use of our lungs in their entirety. |
| be applied even in our lives over 3000 years after | | | | Inhaling and exhaling deeply can release toxins that |
| yoga was documented. Yoga is a practice of | | | | we may be breathing in and holding onto every day. |
| developing your mind and body's energies to produce | | | | Consciously breathing in to our bodies is a practice |
| a happier and healthier lifestyle. My philosophy? Be | | | | that enables us to focus inside. That focus helps us |
| good to yourself and share the good with others. | | | | to clearly see and feel which muscles hurt, or which |
| People will have various versions of being good to | | | | thoughts hurt for that matter. We can then adjust a |
| themselves. Gifts, money; what is your version? | | | | pose physically and/or let go mentally. The release is |
| What if we pay attention to physical and mental gifts | | | | liberating. |
| that we can give to ourselves over and over? And | | | | When you start paying attention to yourself, I mean |
| what if these gifts can positively enhance our quality | | | | really tuning in to how you feel physically and |
| of life? Give yourself a gift: Have an open mind when | | | | mentally, it is only natural to want to make things |
| you practice yoga and let the healing begin. You may | | | | better. The clarity that yoga brings to your mind may |
| think you don't need any healing, but if you live in | | | | allow you to see that you could be a healthier person |
| today's society - there is stress. | | | | by getting rid of unhealthy habits or unfriendly |
| We know that stress relief is a huge benefit of | | | | character traits. |
| practicing yoga. The physical poses combined with | | | | Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself. |
| the breathing practice ensure that you focus on | | | | The 'be good to yourself' attitude of yoga can help |
| yourself for a little while ~ allowing you to take a | | | | you to let go of old mistakes and move forward in |
| break from the turmoil of everyday life. This little | | | | your life. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone |
| break leaves you feeling relaxed and lighter. | | | | deserves a chance to learn from those mistakes. We |
| What other advantages does the practice bring? | | | | don't' need to dwell on the past; we need to |
| Anger, frustration, and jealousy are all negative | | | | acknowledge, learn and move forward with a positive |
| emotions that arise from stressful situations. We can | | | | mindset. |
| get past the stress that promoted the negative | | | | I often ask my students to let go of any negativity |
| emotions and let the negativity go. Holding on to | | | | they are holding on to at the end of any practice. |
| negativity is not good for anyone - physically or | | | | During the resting pose, we allow our bodies to melt |
| mentally. | | | | by relaxing all of our muscles. Our physical body |
| Physically, yoga can reduce high blood pressure, | | | | absorbs all the strength and flexibility benefits. We |
| relieve arthritis and fibromyalgia pain, increase | | | | then allow any negativity to release from our minds |
| respiratory health and the list goes on and on. Even if | | | | and our hearts. We simply breathe in all of the |
| we don't deal with any of the above, the physical | | | | positive energy that we can. And it is therapeutic! |
| aspects of yoga urge us to treat our bodies better. | | | | My yoga philosophy is: Practicing yoga promotes |
| When we feel physically healthy we can focus more | | | | peace. When you slow down and tune in to yourself, |
| on the advantages of the practice. Most people find | | | | you feel more confident, less stressed, stronger, and |
| they eat healthier and stay more active once starting | | | | free from negativity. It truly is being good to |
| a yoga practice. | | | | yourself; it is your gift to yourself. Take that feeling |
| 'Breathing' during yoga practice is thought to bring 'life | | | | and share it with others. It is easier to be nice to |
| force' or 'energy' into our bodies. Hopefully you know, | | | | people when you feel good, physically and mentally. |
| breathing is a natural reflex that supplies fresh | | | | We need a lot more peace in this world. Practice |
| oxygen into our bodies. While we can't live without | | | | yoga and pass the peace along to others. |
| that breath it is important to note that most people | | | | |