Day 10 "Agape Yoga"

Day 10 was real special for me not only for my mind~ body ~ soul. For all who participated in class had a chance to make a difference. Today was Donation day all proceeds are going to Bring Hope to Haiti. Each class was complimentary, instructor ask if we can instead donate money to a cause.

Agape pronounce ah'.gah.pay (n): Universal love; a spirit of universal identification, healing, service, and benediction from a loving person towards all things.

Today's practice is base on Kripalu Yoga is an interplay of body, mind and energy. Within the physical body is a subtle flow of rhythmic, energy pulsations that we call prana, or life force.

Kripalu Yoga is also a tool for self empowerment and personal growth. The practice teaches you to tap into your own inner-knowing rather than being dependent upon guidance from external authorities. You learn to be open to what others have to offer without giving away your powers to reason, discriminate and make our own decisions. At the same time, you are also establishing an intimate and nurturing relationship with your body. Every sensation becomes sacred and is responded to with tenderness and compassion, and each session is approached with an attitude of prayer. In Kripalu Yoga your body becomes the temple in which you invoke the presence of the divine. This intention can take you to new depths in your practice and in your life.

Namaste~

Day 9

Today is day 9 woke up ready to go to class. Now, I'm still attending the new studio that I visit yesterday. This morning class was listed as basic yoga. Let me clarify something "basic yoga in a power yoga studio" ;) Yes, my exact words there is no basic yoga, the teachers still kick your a#$.

Class was refreshing really different from yesterdays class. This is the amazing think about practicing yoga each time you attend a class, your body reacts differently. Today, I was more flexible then yesterday. It's all about your breath taking those deep breaths. Inhaling and exhaling getting deep into your practice allowing yourself to open up. Inhaling ~ abdomen then chest; Exhaling ~ chest then abdomen. Full yoga breath helps you to stay engage in your own practice. By expanding your capability to hold poses for longer periods.
If you can breathe you can do yoga.

Benefits Of Breathing:

Releases acute and chronic muscular tensions around the heart and digestive organs.
Improves detoxification through increased exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen.
Amplifies the auto immune system by increased distribution of energy to the endocrine system.
Calms the mind and integrates the mental / physical balance.

Namaste~

Day 8

Today is day 8 of The 40/40 Yoga experience. I took some time off, to focus and really get my mind and body in order. Sometimes, we tend to listen to our minds and let ourselves check out of practice. Wanting to fine a happy medium within me. Reminding, myself that this is my practice my journey my experience. Which I'm sharing with you all, who read and follow my blog. So, I decided to take things a little slow. Never wanting to give up, just focusing on my strengths and not succumb to weakness. So, I began my practice this morning, went to a different studio. The new studio had a beginners class which I was particularly interested in. While this studio is very nice, and the people are really friendly. I'm missing the other location, since the other location is where I began my journey.

Since, today's class was for beginners we were moving at a slower pace. Which was fine for me this is what I needed. I began to breath inhaling and exhaling through my nose. Sun Salutation Tadasana and Urdhva Hastasana. Come to stand in Tadasana with the hands in a prayer position at the heart. Inhale - Bring the arms out to the sides and up to Urdhva Hastasana.

Tadasana is a standing pose. Benefits Improves posture, strengthens thighs, can also help relieve back pain. Come to stand with the big toes touching. Lift up all your toes and let them fan out, then drop them down creating a wide solid base. You can separate your heels slightly if your ankles are knocking together uncomfortably. It may seem like you are just standing there, but bringing the body into alignment is hard work. The alignment for Tadasana carries in to many of the standing and inverted poses.

Urdhva Hastasana also a standing pose. Benefits Improves posture, strengthens thighs, opens shoulders. From Tadasana bring your arms out to the side and up. Press the palms together, keep the arms straight and take the gaze up toward your thumbs. Slide the shoulder blades down the back. Maintain your alignment. This might sound and look easy, try doing these poses in a heated room when the tempture is rasied to 98 degrees. You may want to rethink how easy this might be. However, if you pratice yoga daily, or weekly, what ever works. You will see results and get better so long as you keep practicing. Namaste~

Day 7

Day 7 Lucky seven class was awesome. Did I mention before how we sweat in class, our bodies are crying all the toxins out of ours bodies, in my case wine. Yes, I said wine! Let's just say I knew this was the right yoga studio for me. On Friday's the studio has a power yoga section afterward wine is served, how freaking sweet is that. Unfortunately, my schedule doesn't allow me to have the flexibility to part take. So, I usually attend the day class instead. The atmosphere is so serene the people are really nice. The instructors are really friendly and happy to assist you with any question you may have pertaining to your individual practice.

No worries, No judgment!!

Yoga teachers constantly repeat this as a way of reassurance.

Yoga can help you reconnect with your energy, bring every cell and muscle back to life, lift your heart! A yoga class gives you time to be with yourself, observing, learning something new, feeling your body get stronger, squeezing out tense muscles, calming down . . . and experiencing the simplicity and relief of just being "essential you" for an hour and a half.

Don't worry about keeping up or the perfect pose we all had to start somewhere!

I'm grateful to hear this each time I attend class. We are not perfect yoga helps you check your ego at the door or sometimes during your practice. Yoga, is all about humbling yourself. Let things go release negativity, purifying your mind and cleansing your body, erase those thoughts that are not important during your practice. If everyone around the globe practice yoga and had this humbling experience the world would be a better place. That's my personal opinion :)

Thanks again for your support keep reading stay and follow me through my 40/40 yoga experience plus eating healthy. Until next time...

Namaste~
Peace ~ Blessings!!!

Day 6

Today is day 6 woke up this morning not wanting to go to class at all. However, I jumped into the shower brushed my teeth got dressed and I was off. It's nice to have some kind of support a family member husband, wife, sister, brother, life partner, lover or friend. We all need to be pushed in the right direction. Thanks Honey, for getting me motivated to go to class.


Whoo Hooo!!! there were some men in the class today. It's nice to see the guys doing yoga some men feel they're to macho or cool. In fact yoga is really good for men.

Yoga is becoming more popular among men, and for good reason: Besides getting rid of stress and increasing flexibility, it may lower the risk of heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure.

Today's class we focus on our core Cow and Cat pose. This sequence is made up of poses that will improve your core strength and help flatten your abs. I'm really starting to see changes with my body's core strength. Yoga poses are all about building core strength. The slow, focused movements require a strong mid-section and the isometric contractions of many exercises. Thanks again for reading my blog, continue to follow my journey as it's posted. Namaste~

Peace ~ Blessings 2 U All

Day 5

Day 5 of my 40/40 Yoga experience. Woke up this morning, feeling eager and ready to do this yoga. Of course there was a little traffic along the way. I was not gonna let the morning traffic stop me from reaching my goals. Class starts on time especially when the owner is given the class. As, I peep through the window, the owner unlocked the door and welcomed me to class. What a sigh of relief. So grateful, & thankful that I could still accomplish my journey.

Today class was based on Baron Baptiste Vinyasa style yoga.
Vinyasa’s strength is in its diversity. There is no single philosophy, rulebook, or sequence that teachers must follow.

My challenging pose is the Downward Facing Dog.
This pose is actually a resting pose. Downward facing dog is done many times during most yoga classes. It is a transitional pose, a resting pose and a great strengthener in its own right. It may be the first yoga pose you encounter as you begin a yoga practice.

For beginners bending your knees, coming up onto the balls of your feet, bringing the belly to rest on the thighs and the sit bones up high. Then sink your heels, straightening the legs keeping the high upward rotation of the sit bones. Also try bending the arms slightly out to the side, drawing the chest towards the thighs. Then re straighten the arms.

Advanced if you are very flexible, try not to let the rib cage sink towards the floor creating a sinking spine. Draw the ribs in to maintain a flat back. Try holding the pose for five minutes, placing a block under your head for support.

Downward dog is so prevalent, even people who have never done yoga have probably heard of it. It may look easy but it's not practice makes perfect. The first day, I was shaking so much I had to drop to my knee's. Yoga is all about supporting and lifting your own body weight. Now, day 5 I can hold this resting pose longer then day 1. It's so amazing to see my strength and stamina through this process. Will post before and after pictures at the end of the 40 days.

Namaste~

Peace ~ Blessings

Day 4

Day 4 after taking 2 days off. I'm back went to yoga class today. Must say my body was craving yoga on my off days. It's only day four and I'm seeing results already. I'm losing inches from my waist and back my legs, arms are getting stronger. It's amazing, I encourage everyone to give yoga a try. The most important thing to remember your body is your temple. Treat your body with respect. Your body is your vehicle feed your body proper fuel enrich with proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. So, after class was over I went to Whole Foods Market went food shopping.
Trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables to my diet. Plan on making tofu with stir fry veggies yummy!!! Today's entry is rater short and sweet to the point. Before I sign off I would like to Thank all my followers and Face book friends ~ fans it's my pleasure to share my experiences with you all. Thanks for the support!!!

When you are in that place in you,
and I am in that place in me,
we are One.

Namaste~

Peace ~ Blessing!!!

Day 3 40/40 experience

Today is Day 3 on my yoga journey. Woke up this morning not so eager to go to class.
However, something came over me, as I took a shower. Kept saying to myself you can do this.
You need to do this, I'm a strong, positive person. You can't give up. Guess what? I went to class it was so fulfilling. Kelly, the owner kick our butts "literally". We worked on our Hips it was all about our hips today. At the time I wanted to scream, kick and punch during class. not quitting or giving up. When class was over I felt elated. I completed the class and getting better everyday.

So, when class was over, I spoke to Janelle the other instructor, who was participating in class. Janelle was a student today. I was so amaze at what she was able to accomplish. Janelle, mention my progress, so far she said. I am getting better and stronger as each day goes by.
It was awesome to hear Janelle's positive feed back.

Standing yoga poses are key to attaining balance, strength and flexibility of the hips.
Hips play a big role in motion and the balance of body posture. They are centrally located and are connected to the lowest part of the spine.

Doing yoga poses involves the practice of breathing techniques. Triangle pose is no exception. Inhaling will expand the rib cage, causing it to move slightly in the process. Exhaling will also cause movement of the rib cage. As the weight of the rib cage shifts during breathing, it will further challenge you as you maintain the pose. In this way, triangle benefits whole body posture by challenging balance and coordination.

As we cool down from our vigorous workout we end the class with our hands close to our hearts in a prayer position bowing ours heads we say Namaste~ Which means:
The God in me greets the God in you
The Spirit in me meets the same Spirit in you. Namaste~

Peace ~ Blessings 2 All

Day 2 Yoga 40/40 Experience

Today is Day 2 of my 40 day yoga experience. Woke up this morning feeling ready to go with the flow, met with Janelle. So far Janelle seems to be my favorite instructor. Okay, maybe because Janelle, is a Libra like myself. Libra's tend to work well with other fellow Librarians.

The style that we flow with is Vinyasa Flow Yoga. It seems as the instructor mixes hot yoga/power yoga together. The owner of the studio worked at Bikram/Hot yoga studio and decided to open her own studio.

Vinyasa is a term that covers a broad range of yoga classes. The word Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.” In other words, the teacher will instruct you to move from one pose to the next on an inhale or an exhale. This technique is sometimes also called Vinyasa Flow, or just Flow because of the smooth way that the poses run together and become like a dance.

There are 26 poses, we start with child's pose. At any point if anyone needs to get out of a more difficult pose. We can go back to child's pose as long as we breathe properly inhale/exhale.
There's no judgment, no competition, no prize given to the best yogi in the class.
It's what you can do at your own pace. This was all about day 2, keep following me as I update my blog. Hope you are enlighten my experience. Hopefully, by the end of my 40 day experience I've made a difference with my readers and fellow bloggers.

Peace ~ Blessing 2 All

Namaste ~

Yoga Challenge

Today I started my 40/40 well let me break it down for you. I'm going to challenge my mind,body and soul to 40 days of yoga plus 40 days of eating well.

What are the benefits of yoga?

You've probably heard that yoga is good for you. Maybe you have even tried yoga and discovered that it makes you feel better. But what are the specific health benefits can you expect to enjoy from doing yoga regularly?

Physical Benefits *

Flexibility:
Stretching your tight body in new ways will help it to become more flexible, bringing greater range of motion to muscles and joints. Over time, you can expect to gain flexibility

Strength:
Many yoga poses require you to support the weight of your own body.

Muscle tone:
As a by-product of getting stronger, you can expect to see increased muscle tone. Yoga helps shape long, lean muscles.

Better breathing:
Most of us breathe very shallowly into the lungs and don't give much thought to how we breathe.

Day 1
Woke up early eager to attend the 1st day of class. It was a vigorous but rewarding challenge. There were 12 students attending class this morning. Had a great workout in a casual , relaxed and fun studio. I would like to thank the instructor. Helping to guide me through this journey for the next 40 days. Each day I attend a class I will blog about my days experience. At the end of the 40 days will post a before and after photo. So you can see my transformation.
Keep reading my blogs and start to follow me on my 40/40 experience.

Peace ~ Blessings 2 All
Remember a strong spine makes for a strong mind :)