» 5 Ways To INSPIRE Your Yoga Practice

Simply Serenity

Inspiration for inner peace and love by Lauralyn, a yoga and angel therapist.

5 Ways To INSPIRE Your Yoga Practice

February 19th, 2012

1. Create Your Own Yoga Soundrack. Your own music sets the tone and mood of your practice and can give you the motivation to hold poses or let go, depending on what your goal is for the day. Try creating different yoga soundtracks for your different moods. For example, you can have a pop or hip hop mix for sun salutations and a mellow mix for gentle and restorative. Sort through your collection or check out iTunes or YogiTunes for inspiration.

2. Dress It Up. There’s a reason why yoga is a billion dollar industry: fashion! Inventive designers have created all sorts of fun clothing options for yogaistas, and some that are functional, too. Like ToeSox. I own a purple pair and not only love the little fashion flair they add to my practice, but the practical use of the non-slip sole that allows me to hold my balance on slippery floors.

3. Practice outdoors. While I appreciate the serene atmosphere that yoga studios offer, hands down my favorite place to practice is outdoors. The beach, by a lake, the park, in the woods, your backyard…heck, put me on a boat and I’ll rock out child’s pose. Practicing outdoors is invigorating and deeply relaxing. The sounds of nature, the fresh air and connection you feel to the Earth is an unparalled experience. If you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend it. Just take your mat to your favorite nature spot, someplace with a smooth surface so your mat can lay flat. Avoid hilly places that throw off balance. Dress appropriately and practice barefoot, allowing the bare soles of your feet to be bathed in sunlight’s vitamin D while inhaling the health benefits of negative ions. Bring a blanket in case you feel chilly in final relaxation.

4. Add your own style. The first time I saw a Shiva Rea DVD I was like, wow. This lady isn’t mirroring anyone or anything except her own soul. Her style was fresh and original and inspired my yoga practice to beat to my own drum. I love watching different yoga videos online that people post from around the world. Everyone shines a bit of their own personality in the poses. No pose will ever look the same since everyone’s body is different. When you add some soul and personality to your practice, it really makes it feel unique. Which yoga is, to you. If you like martial arts, you can add some Tai Chi flow to your practice. If you like dance, you can experiment with the flow of your arms, hands, legs and feet – any part of your body so long as you stay in healthy postural alignment. If you prefer traditional old school, you can hold each pose like a Master, breathing in ancient wisdom and spiritual awareness. Embracing your own style makes yoga fun and keeps your practice fresh and inspired.

5. Try props. I’m biased because I’m a Prop Lover. Props are co-teachers for my relax and restore yoga classes. Props are just….lovely. Absolutely lovely. Straps, bricks, blankets, eye pillows, I just can’t get enough of them. Props transform your gentle yoga practice into a blissful spa experience. And help your strengthening exercises go deeper. Props remind you that there’s nothing you can’t do with a little support. They make your practice easier, helping you focus on being present instead of struggling for balance or creating more pressure or tension in tight muscles and joints. There are so many creative uses for props. All you have to do is experiment.

Lauralyn is a certified yoga teacher, reiki master and angel therapist®. She is currently providing yoga therapy to the wounded warriors at Fort Bragg. Her albums, Chakra Healing with Archangels and Inspired are available on iTunes. To learn more, please visit www.simplyserenityyoga.com.

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