A student posed this question to me after class this past Tuesday. I chose during that class to leave the decision up to the student to "roll to their favorite side" of the mat after savasana. My first response was "well, it creates organization in the room when everyone rolls to the same side". Though I recall being told by a prior teacher of mine years back that rolling to the right side of the mat allows the heart to remain open (i.e. less pressure is put on the heart) as you come out of … [Read more...]
Tips for Getting the Most Out of your Yoga Class
Below are a few tips to get the most out of your yoga practice. · Arrive a few minutes early. Give yourself a few minutes of time to decompress from the traffic, your workday, etc. · TURN OFF your wireless devices –and don’t put them on vibrate. If you can't take 1-2 hours for yourself, this is a signal of an imbalance in your life. · Avoid wearing perfume. Perfume can be offensive to your neighbors on the mat.· Practice on an empty stomach. Many say you … [Read more...]
Celebrate!
Happy holidays! Enjoy celebrating the beauty of the season with friends and family. Most of all, celebrate YOU. Take time to fully enjoy the holiday parties, gift-giving, story sharing and other festivities that mark this time of year. More importantly, take time to celebrate you and your practice. Whether you do 60 minutes of asana or simply 10 minutes of meditation, celebrate the gift you're giving yourself...practice. Remember to receive your practice and all your holiday cheer to the … [Read more...]
To eat or not to eat?
Should you practice yoga on an empty stomach? Many say YES stating that your last bite of food should be at least two hours before starting your yoga practice. Eating too close to class time can cause cramps, nausea, etc. This is especially true in twists, forward bends/folds, inversions (including downward-facing dog), etc. Though for many of us living a hectic lifestyle, the timing of eating vs. taking a yoga class is not always perfect. Often we find ourselves eating several hours … [Read more...]
lululemon athletica is coming to Washington, DC
For you DC yogis who keep up with the latest in yoga apparel, the Canadian-based company lululemon athletica is opening up in the DC market in 2007. Locations in the works include a mini-store in Georgetown Park Mall and a storefront in Clarendon Commons. And if you weren’t aware, Down Dog Yoga in Georgetown already carries an awesome selection of lululemon.See lululemon for more info about the company, clothing, jobs, etc. While you're there, be sure to check out their manifesto. For easy … [Read more...]
A Word on Rolling Up Your Mat
Students periodically ask me if it matters which side of the mat gets rolled inward. It actually does. If you store your mat rolled up in between sessions, roll it so the surface you use is to the outside. This keeps the corners of the mat flat on the floor when practicing. … [Read more...]
abellaYOGA.com revamped
If you haven't been there lately or ever, where have you been? Check out abellaYOGA Use the new form added on the "contact" page to send me your feedback and questions; or just post them here on the blog. Coming soon to abellaYOGA: client testimonials, video clips of classes and reveiws of yoga books and resources … [Read more...]
Why practice yoga barefoot?
Practicing yoga barefoot makes your feet stronger and more mobile, but this is only part of the answer. Awareness and alignment are often the overlooked answers as to why yogis practice with naked feet. Yoga requires you to bring awareness to your feet in practically every pose. The foundation of many asanas (yoga poses) start with the feet so a barefoot practice will make it easier to notice how the soles of the feet feel, from heels to toes, as they spread into the mat. For … [Read more...]
It’s Thanksgiving!
Though Thanksgiving is officially today, learn to say "thank you" every day through both words and deeds. Practicing yoga for just a few minutes a day is a simple way to say "thank you" to yourself. Even if you simply take child's pose for 10 minutes and breath, taking the time for YOU is a "thank you". Off the mat, look for the little ways to "give" thanks. The search shouldn't be hard. Smiling at a stranger in the grocery store or letting a car in front of you on the beltway are … [Read more...]
How should I clean my yoga mat?
Such a simple, yet important question to address. Having a clean yoga mat is essential to following the first niyama, saucha. Saucha means cleanliness or purity. In considering saucha and your yoga mat, use a sponge and a little mild detergent/soap (note, a "little"), hand wash with warm water. Again, use only a small amount of soap because any residue may cause your mat to become slippery when it is wet with perspiration. Some mats are machine washable but overtime they will wear down from … [Read more...]