Yoga, Health, and Wellness Articles + Recipes

Yoga is a beautiful discipline, and yogis are beautiful students and teachers. But, all too often, we forget sometimes that the practice that unites teacher and student can be muddled by what yoga was created for in the first place: the control of our ego. Whether as a student or a teacher, we must understand that yoga is not only a sacred activity upheld by prestige and respect, but that it is, ultimately, an invitation to forgive ourselves and love others while we still have them in this short, short life. We highlight below 15 common mistakes yogis make. May you be blessed enough to acknowledge them and pass this knowledge on for others to benefit. 1. Judging yourself

A true warrior is a combination of characteristics: strength, clarity, composure, and fearlessness. To awaken your inner warrior, it is vital you dig deep and recognize your own desires, truths, and powers. Being a warrior and standing up for what you believe in doesn’t mean you have to be the most physically powerful person, nor the fastest or most agile. A true warrior comes from within: being firm in your resolve, true to your beliefs, and learning to bend and not break. Yoga guides us to turn our attention and awareness inward with the intention of recognizing and releasing our inner truth and sharing it with the world. When you practice yoga with an emphasis on uncovering your personal truth, you begin to discover and cultivate your unique power and gifts. Through a dedicated yoga practice, we strengthen our external body and fortify our inner resolve. By becoming still and calm, you can discover what motivates you. Then, you know what you want and what you are willing to take a stand for, without fear.

When summer rolls around, yoga practice can fall by the wayside — the longer days mean we spend more time outdoors, we travel, those of us who have kids deal with changing schedules. So, to keep you inspired, Jason and I are doing a six-episode summer podcast series!

Roses, chocolates and teddy bears aside, you don't need another person to validate love this Valentine’s Day (though we’ll take the box of chocolates). Today, we challenge you to roll out your mat and write a love letter to yourself. Take fifteen minutes to celebrate everything that makes you whole, even the messy parts. Write them down and see them for what they are: regular human qualities worthy of love. Then, through today’s asana practice, celebrate that self-understanding. Embrace your shaking legs, sweaty mat and experience the fullness of who you are.

Are you awake? Or, are you going through the motions without really paying attention? Sleepwalking through life? When’s the last time you took the time to assess where your time and energy are flowing? Or not flowing, as the case may be.

I was first introduced to the sankalpa during my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program during a Yoga Nidra practice. This practice forever changed the trajectory of my life. By listening to my teacher guide me into a state between consciousness and unconsciousness, I was able to create my sankalpa by crystallizing what my heart’s true desire was and begin to allow it to manifest and unfold in my life.

In your lifetime, you will inevitably face adversity. Sometimes you will have limited control over the cards you’ve been dealt, and sometimes you’ll be the joker who shuffled the deck. In any event, even when the chips are down, developing resiliency will keep you ahead in the game. Becoming a more positive, adaptable person isn’t about perfecting your poker face. The strongest, most well-adjusted people don’t hide or deny their feelings. On the contrary, people with resilient spirits experience hardship deeply and wholeheartedly…but they translate those experiences into wisdom they can use to push forward.