Yogalicious You

"Practice and all will come."

2012-02-01T16:09:00.001-05:00

108 is a sacred number in yoga and today is my 108th day of practicing yoga every day! I practiced through vacations, holidays, and even extreme sickness- no matter what, I got on my mat. Whether it was for 15 minutes or 2 hours, I made it a priority to reconnect to my Self & my breath, and every time it made a positive difference in my day. Now my practice is truly non-negotiable. Because of this commitment I am a better student, teacher, partner & friend. I welcome every challenging sensation in service to my transformation, and today I'm so grateful you are all on this journey with me!

What Is Your Intention?

2012-01-03T14:41:00.001-05:00

“Almost all of us have a distorted image of our body, often due to the importance our culture places on outward appearance and the onslaught of media images of airbrushed models and celebrities. On a daily basis, we talk to ourselves in ways we would never speak to another. Imagine speaking to a child the way you speak to yourself about your body. It would devastate and squelch a child. It affects you similarly, causing stress and emotional pain in your body, which can make improving your health or losing weight even more difficult. Think of all the intelligence, creativity and time you spend on improving, altering and judging your appearance. Who would you be and what could you accomplish if your valuable resources weren’t used this way? Constant emphasis on the external makes us discount the great presence and intelligence that is housed by the body. It makes us forget the magic of our internal rhythms and fail to acknowledge the beautiful bodies we have.

The body you have right now is incredible! It never misses a heartbeat, it maintains homeostasis and it miraculously digests whatever you put in it. It is your instrument for expressing your creativity, intelligence and love. By focusing on the 1% you don’t like or wish were different, you may be ignoring the remaining 99% about your body that is beautiful, unique and delightful.

What would your life be like if you were simply at peace with the body you have? You may wish to make your body healthier and stronger, but could you do that out of love and respect for your body instead of the opposite? Could you begin to treat yourself with kindness, to limit the negative self-talk and to reconnect with your inner wisdom? Take a minute to imagine what that would feel like. It would mean celebrating your body rather than punishing it. It would mean nourishing your body rather than depriving it. It would mean a chance to watch your body flourish when treated with care and respect.”

- Stephanie Shelly of b.healthy

Yoga can help us to love our bodies so that we can treat ourselves with kindness. On New Year’s I set an intention to finally accept my body as it is, knowing that there are things that I want to change about it. I felt a great heaviness lift, knowing that I can love myself as I am. What intentions did you set this year?

What Do You Practice & Why?

2011-12-16T16:50:00.000-05:00

I Practice Yoga Because…

I practice because I am healthier, stronger and more flexible than ever before.

I practice for the lovely community that is born from breathing in unison, whether I’m practicing alone or with 500 people.

I practice to feel the sweat drip off my face (sometimes).

I practice for Savasana (every time).

I practice so I can be a better teacher to my students.

I practice so that I can take what I learn about myself during the challenging moments on my mat out into the every day challenges of my life.

I practice to be in constant communication with the Universe, to realize my purpose, to uncover my true nature, and to be inspired.

I practice to better understand the relationship between my mind, my body and my Self. This understanding allows me to love each part of myself fully, and to share that love authentically with others.

I practice to be vulnerable, to be free, and to remember that truth and love exist in all things.

What do you practice & Why?

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-14T18:17:00.002-05:00

I am currently writing to you from my living room, where the Christmas tree is lit all day and night, as long as someone is here to stare at it. Most of me absolutely loves this time of year- the decorations, the parties, the gifts and good will. The other part of me sees how stressful this time of year can be- the decorations, the parties, the gifts... ha! Yoga has definitely helped me develop a positive perspective so that I can enjoy the holidays as much as possible. I've been practicing yoga every day for 60 days- my goal is to practice for 90 days straight, and I imagine by then, I simply won't want to stop. Through this process, I've discovered that we all have the same amount of time in the day- we just choose to spend it different ways. During this busy time of year, many of us feel we must sacrifice our routine and the things that make us happy in order to prepare for the festivities, whether it's buying gifts, entertaining guests, etc. Remember that your holidays will only be more enjoyable if you're doing something for yourself in the midst of everything else.

Yoga & Running

2011-05-16T10:19:00.002-04:00

People have often told me, "Running is 90% mental." I was frustrated by that statement because I didn't understand what it meant. I think I now have an inkling of what it could mean.

Throughout my entire life, my mind has dictated what my body can and cannot do. It many ways, it acted as my ego, and my ego was in poor shape. When faced with a physical challenge, my mind immediately let my body know that this was not going to be possible or practical, and I completely trusted that my mind was correct. This lead to a rather sedentary lifestyle, which attributes to my struggles with weight throughout adolescence and well into adulthood. It wasn't until I discovered yoga that my body tricked my mind into thinking, "We can do this!" And thank the Universe it was yoga. Yoga is the very practice that helped me to better understand the intricate relationships of the mind, body and ego, and that my thoughts are not always accurate.

In a pose, we're encouraged to observe and consider how we feel. We're doing this to get in touch with ourselves, get to know ourselves better. It's so easy to become disconnected from our bodies as we move through our daily lives, and yoga helps us come back home. I realized that I CAN be in a challenging pose and NOT die! I DO have the ability to go deeper into a pose and stay just a little longer than my mind allows. My body is perfectly healthy and free of injury. I have so much to be thankful for and I should be honoring my temple with daily movement and exercise- doing things that challenge this incredible specimen on a regular basis, because I can!! And in this sense, yoga is interchangeable with running. If I tell myself I can finish the mile, I can. If I tell myself I can't, I won't. So instead of playing head games, I simply breathe and observe how I feel. Does anything hurt? Can I smooth my breath? These questions allow me to calm down and come back to my "practice." I see running in a whole new light today, and I am so grateful for this profound awakening.

Change

2011-05-03T14:00:00.003-04:00

I've had extreme tightness and discomfort in my left hip for some time now. My teacher has said, based on the chakras, that this usually represents a change from financial stability to a new profession that is not financially stable. I never pursued a career that promised financial freedom. Maybe that's why when I started to get to know my body through yoga, I realized my left hip is, and possibly always has been, significantly tighter than my right.

Recently, I spoke to the Universe about my yoga teaching career, and my left hip started speaking to me with increased intensity. I can't be in Warrior 2 for more than five seconds before my hip starts screaming for internal rotation. "STOP THIS NOW!" is the overwhelming message. I turn the foot in, take a breath, and then come back into the pose with slightly greater ease. Looking at this mystically, I truly believe that it's a clear sign from my body and mind that there's an unwillingness to change. A response of fear.

I'm trying so hard not to worry about the "how?" I choose the life I want to live instead of allowing my choices to be dictated by what will please others. In the process of this daring shift, I've lost some students, gained some new ones, and still wait patiently to know the outcome of others. It is clearly a big transition in my life. And if I didn't know that, my left hip is here to remind me every day.

...And what about the day my hip finally doesn't hurt anymore? Won't that be an amazing moment? Will I even notice? When change is happening, it's all I can think about. When the transition is finally complete, the struggle is easily forgotten. Somehow, I don't think I'll easily forget this one.

"If we can stay awake when our lives are changing, secrets will be revealed to us-- secrets about ourselves, about the nature of life, and about the eternal source of happiness and peace that is always available, always renewable, already within us." - Elizabeth Lesser

Birthdays

2011-05-03T13:25:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, I celebrated my 27th birthday. I did 27 Sun Salutations as a way to express my gratitude for 27 years on this beautiful planet. With each passing year, I become more aware of how quickly life is flying by. Birthdays often call a few things into question- Am I living my best life? Am I accomplishing enough for my age? Am I on track with my goals? Do I have clear goals? Ack! Then, I think back on the past 27 years of my life and am quite pleased with those years. During my Sun Salute practice yesterday, around number 13, I started to think about some great things that happened when I was 13 years old- my Dad quit drinking and I fell in love with my first boyfriend. With each Sun Salute, I thought of something remarkable that happened during each year of my life. Once I hit 22, the year I started practicing yoga, the Sun Salutes slowed down significantly. I started to move with greater care and precision. The past 5 years of my life have been so significantly transformative because of the yoga practice. In the past 3 years alone I've made incredible progress in my physical practice, started a yoga teaching business from scratch that is now close to thriving, raised $20,000 and traveled to Africa, bought a house with my partner of 7 years, trained a wonderful puppy, I lost 20 pounds and really started taking care of myself in a new and compassionate way. Imagine what's possible in the next 3 years, the next 30 years! Sandy, one of my lovely students, said, "Trust me. It only gets better. Enjoy." She's one of the incredible women in my life who has reinforced that philosophy. I really, really appreciate that she said that because I look up to her and trust that she's right. I want to see all of the women in my life age with grace, beauty and confidence. And that's what I want for myself as well. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for all of the years that I've lived. And I love myself now more than I ever have before. Like I end up saying at the end of every year, 26 was a good year. :)

Sun Salutations to the Rescue!

2011-02-02T14:29:00.000-05:00

Questions

2010-07-15T20:19:00.004-04:00

Here are some questions students asked me this week...

Q. Why is drinking water discouraged during the physical yoga practice?

A. You are supposed to build internal heat and not cool down while practicing. Your stomach should remain empty throughout the practice. Otherwise, blood rushes to the stomach rather than the muscles, and could also make you a bit nauseous. Do your best to stay away from food and drink 2 hours before practicing. A few sips of water beforehand are okay, and on really hot days, make sure you're taking care of yourself (Thank you, Jessie!)

Q. What kind of clothing should I wear for asana (physical yoga) practice?

A. It's best to wear comfortable, form fitting clothes so the teacher can see your alignment in poses. Perhaps the mention of "form fitting clothes" might be a turn off for some, but remember that yoga class is one of the few places that strictly encourages non-judgement. It is a place to get to know your body better and practice self-acceptance. Also, in poses where your head is below your hips, you wouldn't want a loose fitting shirt falling down around your neck! :)

Q. What type of yoga mat would you recommend?

A. I get this question A LOT! It depends on what you're looking for. I usually recommend the Manduka black mat. It has a lifetime guarantee and once it's broken in, there's very minimal sliding of the hands in downward facing dog. :) With enough practice, hand sliding becomes obsolete no matter what kind of mat you're using, but I realize it's a concern in the beginning. The Manduka is also very thick if you have sensitive knees and comes in a variety of lengths to accommodate taller yogis. Another option is Jade. This mat is the ultimate "no slide" mat. It's thinner and lighter than the Manduka, therefore, travels easier. Make sure you do NOT leave the Jade mat in the sun. It will lose it's sticky integrity and it's only use will become keeping the groceries from sliding around the trunk of you car. By the way, both of these high quality mats are sold at The Yoga Loft of Bethlehem. :)

"Body Prayer"

2010-07-14T17:01:00.000-04:00

Seane Corn, one of my teachers and co-founder of "Off the Mat, Into the World," demonstrates the power of asana as an offering:

Stages to Pincha Myrasana

2010-07-14T15:14:00.000-04:00

Tackling Tadasana

2010-07-14T14:52:00.000-04:00

Before I start posting "how to" video demos, it's important that you know the basics of one of the most important poses in yoga - Tadasana. It means "Mountain Pose," and it is the blue print for all of our standing poses. This means that the alignment principles of Tadasana will show up in nearly every other pose we do.

Tadasana may seem like a boring pose at first, but there's actually a lot going on. You're stacking bone, over bone, over bone and the body is in perfect alignment. And to find that alignment, always start with the foundation (parts of the body connected to the Earth) and work your way up.

Feet- straight and parallel, either hips distance apart or big toes touching. A good way to find straight feet is draw a straight line forward from the center of the ankle to the second toe. Equal weight through all four corners of feet.

Ankles - lift inner and outer ankles evenly

Knee caps and thighs - lifted and engaged

Tailbone - draws in, front hip points lift

All four sides of torso - lengthen up evenly

Shoulders - draw towards each other on the back and relax away from the ears

Arms - lengthening down, extend through fingertips

Draw ears back in line over shoulders, chin parallel to Earth

*Should be stacking ankles, knees, hips and shoulders

Try Tadasana as often as you can throughout the day... in line at the grocery store, in conversation with a friend, cooking, etc. It may feel strange at first, but your body will thank you later. And if you can really commit these alignment points to memory, you'll have a much clearer understanding of the other poses we explore in this blog.

Sutra 1.1

2010-07-14T12:44:00.000-04:00

"atha yoganusasanam"

Now begins the instruction of yoga.

"It is not mere philosophy that Patanjali is about to expound, but rather direct instruction on how to practice Yoga. Mere philosophy will not satisfy us. We cannot reach the goal by words alone. Without practice, nothing can be achieved." - Sri Swami Satchindananda's translation

Immediately, it becomes apparent that discipline is an essential element in the study and practice of yoga. Of all the sutras, 1.1 is probably the most straightforward. Though, committing to a disciplined practice of almost anything can be quite challenging!!

I recently started meditating again, thanks to the encouragement of Prem Siri Kaur, an excellent Kundalini Yoga teacher based in Bethlehem, PA. I've developed a new sense of discipline, sitting down for 31 minutes a day, every day. My intention is to do this specific meditation for 90 days straight, long enough to create new pathways through the brain. Perhaps this renewed discipline will seep into other area of my practice. Regardless, it feels good to be committed to something I know is healthy for my well being.

What could you commit yourself to for 90 days? Dare to experience the incredible transformation that can come from discipline! (And I'll let you know how I'm doing with that meditation on day 90 - October 4th!)

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

2010-07-14T11:05:00.000-04:00

"The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" is an ancient text comprising 196 short statements about yoga philosophy. There are 4 chapters that highlight concentration, practice, progress and liberation through the eight limbs.

Not much is known about the author, Patanjali, but he is often regarded as "the father of yoga." Yogis are thankful that he took the time to record the sutras to be passed down through the generations. Every yoga system in existence has roots in Patanjali's teachings.

Yoga & Vampires?

2010-07-13T22:47:00.000-04:00

For all you "True Blood" fans out there...Check out the lovely Kathryn Budig:

The Eight Limbs of Yoga

2010-07-13T13:43:00.000-04:00

One of the most important things to know about yoga is that there are eight limbs or paths of yoga. They serve as a guideline for living a purposeful life. Here's a very brief overview of each one.

1. Yama - Our behavior towards others and the world. Living as an example of kindness, truthfulness, sustainability, and moderation.

2. Niyama - Self-discipline through cleanliness, contentment, daily spiritual practices, self-study and continued connection to our own divinity.

3. Asana- Physical poses. This is what you'll encounter most often in a public yoga class held at a studio or gym. All physical styles of yoga fall under the umbrella of "Hatha Yoga." Examples include Vinyasa Flow, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Anusara, Jivamukti, Restorative, etc.

4. Pranayama - Breathing exercises. Helpful for expanding our breath capacity and maintaining the flow of energy through the body. Some breath practices may be applied to asana practice. "Light on Pranayama" by BKS Iyengar is a great reference!

5. Pratyahara - Control of the senses. This limb begins the work of turning inward. Drawing our awareness away from the external and objectively observing ourselves and our habits.

6. Dharana - Concentration. Each stage prepares us for the next. Now we focus our attention on a single point, slowing down our thinking process in preparation for the next limb, Dhyana.

7. Dhyana - Meditation or Contemplation. An uninterrupted flow of Dharana. There are so many different styles of meditation; each involves aspects of a still, quiet, and focused mind.

8. Samadhi - Enlightenment! Yippee!! Disciplined practice of the previous seven limbs may produce periods of ecstasy. I call them "mini-samadhi moments." A moment where we transcend our physical bodies and live in a state of interconnectedness with all things. Yoga means "union," and we are striving for an authentic sense of oneness. There is no "you and me," only "us." :)

To learn more about the Eight Limbs, check out this article by Mara Carrico, a writer for Yoga Journal.com.

Below you'll find a neat chant that will help you remember the eight limbs!

"How Can I Learn More?"

2010-07-13T13:31:00.000-04:00

A lot of my students ask, "How can I learn more about yoga?" They are intrigued by the beginnings of their physical practice and want to go deeper. In the past, my usual response was "Try a yoga training or workshop!" Though, I realize that's not an option for everyone considering time commitments and financial restraints. So where to start as an alternative? Right here. :)

This blog was created with you in mind- the student looking for resources regarding everything yoga. Here, we'll address not only the physical aspects of the practice, but also breathing techniques, meditation, and yogic philosophy as well.

I'm happy to take any questions you have about topics you're most curious about exploring, so please feel free to contact me at meganridge@me.com and I'll do my best to answer your question right here!