For Days When You Feel like Sh*t

When you get stuck in a bad mood, what helps you get 'unstuck?'

Some days, I want to crawl back in bed by 9am, yell at other drivers on the road, give up, cry in the bathroom, crumple up my to-do list, run away, throw my phone in the garbage, or just drink wine even though it's only noon.

Recently, while I was having a bad day, I stumbled across a post from Rachel Brathen (Yoga Girl) about having bad moments, not bad days. She had compiled a list of things that helps her move on when things aren't going her way.

I loved how she put it: "Own it. Feel it. Get out of it."

Such a helpful reminder! When we feel stuck in a terrible mood, we do have the choice to try and shift out of it.

So, I made my own list, and I'm planning to refer back to it the next time I'm feeling stuck. Hope these ideas are helpful to you, too (whether it's a Monday or not a Monday!).

Sh*t to Do When I'm Having a Sh*t Day

• Breathe. Pause to notice my body. When I feel angry or frustrated, I tend to breathe less. Or, if I'm anxious, I might even hold my breath. Simply sitting down and choosing to take five deep breaths can make a big difference in giving myself the time to become aware of how my body feels. I do a quick scan, head to toe, to see what I notice. It helps to pause the thoughts, notice the body, and increase the breath.

• Get outside. Or at least get out of the house. If I'm near a walking path, a beach, or a park, I'll go there. I sit in the sunshine and notice the sounds around me. I try to notice the other people, too, and that I am not alone.

• Practice yoga. If the thought creeps in, "I don't want to," or, "I can't today," ignore it. I roll out my mat anyway. If I can get to the studio, I go take a class and I do my best to let the teacher and the yogis around me hold space for me. I do my favorite poses, ten minutes minimum. Sun salutations are great for getting the spine moving, which shifts energy in the body.

• Invert. Getting upside down has a physical effect on the brain, and it can help shift your mood. I like to take headstand for at least 8-10 breaths. Headstand doesn't make things perfect, or even change my circumstances, but it certainly offers me a momentary shift in perspective.

• Be around animals. Animals don't judge you, and they listen. They love unconditionally. Give your dog a walk, or a hug, and see if it can help you smile, even if only for a moment.

• Make a list. Start with the things that are bothering the most. Notice, how are they related to your fears or insecurities? When I write about these things, it tends to help me realize what negative thoughts are making me feel stuck. Sometimes I even like to write down those thoughts and then draw a big fat line through them, as a reminder that my mind is not in a truthful space. It's almost like telling my thoughts, "NO, you're wrong" and it helps me move forward. The alternative list you can make: shit I accomplished today! Yeah, taking a shower counts! So does getting dressed, eating a nourishing meal, and putting your dishes in the dishwasher!

• Rest. A lot of times I get in a shitty mood because I've been going too fast and too hard for too long. I'm exhausted. My body is suffering, or tired, or hurting. Taking a short nap, a hot bath, or a night off can make a big difference in getting back into a good mood.

• Get off of social media. Social media encourages us to compare ourselves to everyone around us. If I'm having a shit day, seeing other people smiling about all the happy things they're up to doesn't tend to help. One trick I use is to put the icons for Facebook and Instagram on a different 'page' of my phone, so I have to scroll a couple times to get to them. That way, I can't just mindlessly click to look at notifications. Trust that spending some time away from the stories and input of those around you will give you clarity.

• Talk through it. Usually the thing that helps me the most is to call, text, or talk to someone who loves me unconditionally. Opening up and voicing what my concerns are-- it really takes the pressure off. I try to be selective about who I talk to, and choose someone that is going to listen and be supportive, not try to change the situation for me or make me feel guilty, upset, or ashamed.

• Give yourself some small token of appreciation, or pause for a moment to celebrate. I like to wear jewelry as a reminder of what mantra I'm trying to keep in my mind, or put on a piece of clothing that makes me feel beautiful, or confident. Or I go to a coffee shop and buy myself a coffee, and focus on the fact that I deserve to feel good for a part of my day. It can also be helpful to pause and ask, "What's going well today? Anything?" and even if the answer is that I was able to get laundry done, I pause for a moment to celebrate that damn laundry. 

• Let yourself off the hook for doing a whole damn list, and just do one thing that feels good. Maybe none of these things are going to help me get out of a bad mood today. So, move on from those, and do one thing that will help. When you take a moment to ask yourself what that one thing is, you'll know. Just go do it.

• And, because it's worth repeating, remind yourself: YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH, YOU ARE ENOUGH, YOU ARE LOVED.

Next time you're feeling caught between a rock and a hard place, just stuck in a shitty mood, try these things, or make your own list of ways you can push through. And then don't forget to do them :) While thinking about them is a helpful first step, it's the doing them that will really help.

Sending you big hugs, my friend.

Photos via Pinterest and by Justin Kral and Respiro Photography.

When the Fear Comes Up

When the fear comes up, what do you choose?

Do you fan the flames, or put out the fire?

Are you able to see the paths before you and are you ready to say, I want something else?

Notice: do you feel open, or closed?

Next time fear comes up, notice what you do.

You are not powerless. You can choose.

Photos by Tom Huynh.

You're Invited to Join the Alive in the Fire Email Newsletter

Happy Monday, yogis! Hope you had a beautiful weekend.

I wanted to take a moment to invite you to join my email newsletter! :) Exciting times... it only took me 5+ years to get my act together as a blogger and get an email list going. Ha!

In all honesty, I would love if you join the list... you guys are the reason I write and you make this community what it is. :) I'll be sharing updates with recent blog posts, ideas for kicking your yoga practice into gear, info about my upcoming coastal yoga retreat (!!!), and other fun updates. There's a signup form below, and a spot in the sidebar at the right where you can always sign up.

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Thanks, as always for being a part of Alive in the Fire! Namaste.

Photos in this post by Brynna Bryant and Tom Huynh.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! Sending a big hug to all you moms, stepmoms, grandmas, aunts, wives, teachers, dog moms, yoginis, and lovely women of the world!

Thank you for your compassion and your love, and for making the world a brighter place.

An especially big 'I love you' goes out to my own mom, and my sister!

  

May your Mother's Day be relaxing and fun, and may you cherish spending time with those you love.

And if for some reason a day like today brings worry, sadness or fear, may you find peace by taking a deep breath... or enjoying a tasty donut ;)

Namaste.

Clarity and Focus

Today, direct your energy in ways that benefit you.

If you are lacking clarity, pause. Notice the breath. Are you holding your breath?

If you feel scattered or distracted from the task at hand, take a step back. Pause to notice what is occupying your attention. 

Refocus, and begin again.

Photos by Lucid Reflections.

Moving to a New Home and Discovering New Yoga Spaces

Hi, yogis :) How are you? 

Recently I moved from the Sacramento area to Eureka, California. What a whirlwind month it's been!

I'm still getting settled and checking out yoga studios in the area and wanted to share a few reflections from the last few classes I've taken.

It's wild how much I've learned being in a new environment with teachers who come from different schools of yoga. In the last week I've experienced my first Forrest and Anusara practices and I've enjoyed picking up on small yet impactful differences in the language, cuing, and pacing of the classes.

Do you ever mix up your yoga routine? Or try classes at local studios when you travel? I highly recommend getting out of your comfort zone and taking a class where you aren't quite sure what to expect... open yourself to learning, and being a beginner again!

Tosha Yoga, Arcata, CA

This is a breathtaking space on the top floor of the building that I'll definitely return to. I love the natural light, the collection of lovely succulent plants around the room, and the calm, uplifting energy of the space. The Forrest yoga class I took here involved some awesome core work, grounding meditation, and new flows and movements that felt nourishing to the body (lots of Eagle arms, which I even felt the next day in my upper back!). 

The teacher Janine was very clear and precise in her teaching, and I appreciated the few hands-on adjustments she offered which helped me relax my neck and take tension out of my shoulders. At one point I could hear the sound of the rain on the rooftop. Very peaceful. I felt spaciousness, grounding, and openness. Even a little glimpse of blissful

samadhi

during Shavasana.

Om Shala Yoga, Arcata, CA

Om Shala offers a diverse range of yoga classes on their schedule. So far I've tried a basics Anusara class, a Hatha 'align and flow' class, and an all-levels Power Vinyasa class. The teachers here certainly have a wealth of knowledge about alignment and I've picked up some awesome tricks and tips about my practice. I love having reminders to pay closer attention to what my 'bad' habits are in class, or just to notice something new. This week I've been working on:

• Knitting the low ribs in. Drawing energy into the center of the body really allows me to move from a place of more power! This helps in every pose - in foundational poses like Tadasana and Downdog, and especially in backbends and balancing postures.

• Waking up the feet. Keeping the feet alive and the toes active brings more prana into the lower half of the body and the legs, giving more stability and grounding. Pada bandha, engaging the arches, is a subtle but very useful technique that makes a pose feel more balanced. I noticed this one in Half Moon. I also realized that metaphorically and energetically for me at this moment in my life it's very important to keep the feet awake so that I can feel more grounded in these new spaces I'm in!

• Using props and the wall for support. I learned an awesome trick for using three blocks on the wall in Dolphin pose (beautiful, supported way to open the upper back and chest). I also worked on Ardha Chandrasana (Standing Half Moon pose) on the wall-- I was able to see how my hips needed to be more engaged in order to access more opening in the pose. Also started to work on wall walks in Wheel (!!!!) and practiced Forearm stand. So excited to incorporate these new 'tricks' into my home practice!

Sasha's power flow class at Om Shala was my favorite local yoga class so far since I moved. I loved her simple, direct cuing, her upbeat playlist, and the way she reminded us to send our breath into the area where our bodies most needed to heal. I definitely felt challenged and inspired, and was surprised by how many arm balances and sun salutations I was able to fit in!

Redwood Strength, Fortuna, CA

This class was an hour-long hot vinyasa practice in a new gym that's a mix of Crossfit-style workouts and hot yoga. I enjoyed the heat and thought of my friends and colleagues at CorePower Yoga and how I miss that beautiful room and its humidity ;) I enjoyed the teacher's enthusiasm and sense of humor and felt at home listening to the sound of Krishna Das' voice.

HealthSport, Eureka, CA

I took a Hatha class and was easily the youngest yogi in the room. One of my favorite moments was about 15 minutes into class, looking over at the gorgeous gray-haired yogini next to me take on full Hanumanasana with her arms overhead and a smile on her face :) The teacher Francis had a unique way of getting me to try more depth in the poses and I loved the mindful, intentional sequencing. At the end of class my body felt open and my mind clear.

Home practice

My home practice has been really key in the last few weeks, too. Rolling out a mat in the kitchen or in my backyard has given me space to be completely comfortable, to relax, to release stress, to breathe loudly and sigh heavily, and to cry a little. Moving is incredibly draining and exhausting work, and it hasn't been easy.

During the weeks leading up to moving, I felt overwhelmed by to-do lists and I benefited greatly from having a restorative yin practice. Since we arrived here on the coast, I've felt a little down and lonely on some days, so a more vigorous practice with inversions and backbends has helped me stay positive.

I can tell that in the weeks and months to come, as I take a little break from having classes to teach, my home practice will be a great way for me to stay creative, to keep up my self-confidence in my teaching, and to play with new flows and ideas for what I love to teach.

I'm still struggling a little bit to find where my new yoga 'home' is, and I'm certainly grieving the loss of having weekly classes to teach in beautiful communities, but I'm doing my best to keep a positive attitude and stay open to whatever opportunities come my way.

A Book for Finding Peace and Letting Go of Disappointment

Do you find it challenging to manage your expectations? How do you react when things don't turn out the way you hoped they would?

In her book Expectation Hangover, author and life coach Christine Hassler explores these questions and other ideas related to accepting disappointment, going through life transitions, and finding emotional healing. The book is filled with useful exercises, guided meditations and personal stories.

Today on the blog sponsored yogi Yani shares her review of the book :) Enjoy!

A Review of Expectation Hangover by Yani

I'm a person that fills her time with the many things she obsesses about and is passionate about. I'm also a person that is really bad at slowing down to read, drink warm lemon water, and kind of just slowing the fuck down (though sometimes I do love to relax, be a homebody, and kick it). Another note about me, I have a hard time finishing an entire book through- unless I have absolutely nothing to do, and can get lost in a new world. I read it part by part, slowly. I tend to read when it's calling me; I don't like to force a good read. 

Expectation Hangover: Free Yourself from Your Past, Change your Present & Get What You Really Want had been sitting on my glass table, along with a few other books, waiting to find their way in my to mind. I picked it up one day and carried it around with me so that when the moment called, I would be ready. I drove up to the DMV, without an appointment, grabbed the book in my AmeriCorps bag, and got lost in a new world while I waited in line and sat awaiting my number. 

As always, I read what was destined to find its way in to my mind. I felt moments of epiphanies; I felt my worlds coming full circle. One of the greatest lessons I took away from my short escape was: holding onto expectations is setting the heart and mind up for failure. Goals and ambitions are in place to guide you, but to expect is to put all your eggs in one basket. Create, have faith, and see what finds its way to you as a reality in your world. We have full control of ourselves, but limited control of life.  

In my reading I found a humbling mindset, a mindful way of being. It allowed me to make peace, let go, and ground myself. 

I love that this is an interactive reading, encouraging you to journal and reflect. I look forward to moving onward with this journey, and what this book shall reveal to me. 

One of my favorite quotes from the book:

"We all love control because the unknown is downright scary. In fact, I think control has become the master addiction. But the truth is we really don't have complete control over our lives, and nothing illuminates that truth more brightly than an Expectation Hangover."

Thanks, Yani, for your awesome review and a big thanks to the team at New World Library for offering the opportunity to check out this book. Namaste.

PS Learn more about the author Christine Hassler and check out her interview with Huffington Post about how to overcome falling short of your expectations. Or take her quiz to find out if you have an expectation hangover.

Just for Today

Just for today, I will not worry.

Just for today, I will not be angry.

Just for today, I will do my work earnestly and diligently.

Just for today, I will live in gratitude.

Photos by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Just for today, I will be kind to every other living thing.

Namaste.

Note: these are the Japanese Usui Reiki principles that I practice and try to incorporate into my daily life. Aren't they such beautiful reminders to live in the moment? :)

Yogi Surprise April

This month's Yogi Surprise box is themed around nature, which fits perfectly with my recent relocation to the north coast of California :)

I'm living in the coastal town of Eureka, near beaches and really tall redwood trees. It's certainly a gorgeous area and I can't wait to do more exploring as I get settled in.

 

I'm so grateful I had my Yogi Surprise box goodies to enjoy during these last few weeks, especially with all the chaos and stress of moving! I was also happy to use several of my old beautiful lavender boxes for packing small items, like my essential oils and some spices from the kitchen ;) Thanks, Yogi Surprise!

Here were my favorite items from the April box:

Organic tangerine ginger tea from Rishi

This yummy blend is perfect for rainy mornings, or in the evening with a spoonful of local honey mixed in. I love the vibrant color that the hibiscus brings out, too!

Go Raw Choco Crunch Sprouted Cookies

and

Stoneridge Orchards Montmorency Tart Cherries

Healthy snacks for on-the-go? Perfect for a long drive or a long day packing and unpacking boxes. Both of these were delicious!

Rescue Plus Stress Relief Lozenges 

Love the citrus-y taste and the way these instantly make me feel a little calmer. 

How has your April been going, yogis? Sending a heartfelt namaste your way...

On Courage

Photos by Tom Huynh.

Being courageous doesn't mean that I don't have fears.

Courage is about willingness. 

Willingness to work with the fears. To notice them. Not to ignore them but to become very aware of them.

Courage is a dedication. An act of willingness. A choice to say, I won't give up.

When I am courageous, I notice, what do I stand for? What's important to me?

And then I focus on that. I eliminate distractions. I check myself on when I'm being honest, and when I'm letting untrue thoughts creep in. I am courageous when I choose not to let fear run the show. 

Courage is when, instead of caving to fear, I commit to love.

I focus my attention so carefully and I set my intention with such determination that I allow love to fill me, I allow fear to release, and I rise to the occasion.

Love over fear; this is courage.

Life is Good (A Post on Gratitude Lists)

Do you ever make gratitude lists?

This is one simple practice that I find to be immensely helpful, especially during times of transition or struggle. Simply by taking a few moments each day to focus on what I'm grateful for, I can re-center.

Today my gratitude list is inspired by Life is Good, a brand that knows how to focus on happiness ;) I'm a big fan of the new shirt they gifted to me, which says, Dream until your dreams come true.

Life is Good: Today's Gratitude List

1. My yoga community. Feeling loved and supported.

2. Having mentors-- especially strong women who are wise and generous-- and having their ongoing support.

3. Being open to change. In just a few weeks, my family and I will be moved north to the coast in Eureka! More updates coming soon :)

4. Sunshine.

5. Teaching a class and hearing afterward what the impact was for the yogis in the room.

6. Headstands.

7. Being able to talk to friends and family when I'm stressed.

8. Dog hugs.

9. A glass of wine in the evening.

10. Hugs from people I love.

Photo by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

What are you grateful for today?

Have a Happy Monday!

Photos by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Hi loves! Just wanted to take a moment to wish you a beautiful start to your week.

Be kind to yourself, get to your mat, and keep breathing!

Namaste.

I Love You

Photos by Tom Huynh.

Look in the mirror, look yourself in the eye, and say, 'I love you.' 

Are you willing to do that? To be loving toward yourself. Compassionate and kind, like you would be to a friend. 

Don't talk shit about yourself. Treat yourself with the respect and forgiveness and generosity you deserve. You deserve greatness! If ever a moment comes along when you forget that this is true, just go find a mirror. 

Look into your own eyes and say it out loud: I love you!

Have a sigh and pat yourself on the back and laugh at how easy that was. 

Have a moment to remember. And then just keep on being you-- loving, imperfect, and beautiful-- and keep forgiving yourself along the way.

I'm sharing this because for the last few weeks I've felt a little out of sorts, and extra hard on myself. My thought patterns can become negative and judgmental and even though I'm aware of it I still struggle to get out of that mindset. 

This week it shifted. I've been taking more classes, letting myself move freely and breathing into the spaces of each pose. When my mat is surrounded by supporting and loving people, I'm reminded of how awesome I am, and how I'm an important part of my community. It also helps a lot when I'm willing to open up to friends and be vulnerable and release some of the shit that I don't need to hold on to.

It's so helpful to teach from this space of feeling empowered and connected. After teaching one of my classes this week, many of the students said thank you with these big happy smiles on their faces. 'They are all so kind to me,' I thought. 'Why wouldn't I want to be just as kind to myself?' 

Just a little reminder that I hope inspires you and inspires me when I come back to read it tomorrow, or 3 months from now, or a year... :)

Being Receptive

I made a discovery while teaching yoga today.

When I am able to be vulnerable, and sit with my students-- when I am willing to get up close, to be seen, and to share space with them -- I receive so much wisdom and healing.

During last few moments before Savasana, I knelt down on the floor, right in the middle of the room, and suddenly I could feel this profound sense of support and love and sacred energy in the room. What an incredible thing to witness-- yogis willing to be with themselves, stretching, taking care of their bodies, releasing.

It felt so simple and pure, in a way. Just being together in a room. I was sitting there watching yogis do a spinal twist and close their eyes and just

be

. Nothing to do. Nowhere to go. Just resting and receiving a much-deserved rest.

And I felt this urgent longing in me to be close to them -- not to be in the back of the room near the music or up in the front on my own mat. I just wanted to be near them. In it, with them.

So I sat down and placed my palms face up and asked that Reiki would move through me and into the room, and help facilitate healing. I asked that their burdens could be released. I asked that they might feel love and healing. I asked for this process of healing to be immediate and profound.

And I could feel the healing come to me, too. For as much as I give when I teach, I also receive. I realized today that the more receptive I can be to the moment, the more healing the moment brings.

One girl in class had been crying while we were doing hip openers. I brought a box of tissues and set it by her mat-- didn't need to say anything or call it out. I offered a simple gesture to show her that she was supported, and in that moment I remembered all the times on my own mat recently when I'd cried.

Her vulnerability offered me the opportunity to be vulnerable. To be more open today.

Student is teacher is student

, I thought.

We are each our own best teacher.

Often I've had this perception that I need to hold the room

, or I've had the goal to create something incredible and breathtaking in a class... to bring in a theme or offer up a song that fits perfectly... but often it seems that the more I try to plan something, the less authentic it feels. 

I've realized how powerful it is simply to show up and to be receptive to what's going on in the moment. To teach from the space I'm in, whether that's a tired and grumpy space, or a joyful one. Even if I'm hesitant, fearful, depleted, overwhelmed... I can still teach.

And from this place of authenticity, my students feel permission to be authentic. To be vulnerable. This is what creates the powerful experience of yoga.

Being willing to sit with what is. Being 

willing to cry, or to lie there silently in a spinal twist and just feel everything that is sacred in the room, and how transformative this practice is.

Teaching yoga today was a gift.

May this practice continue to help me be receptive, and may it touch you to be more open, too.

Namaste.

Yoga Books for Your Asana Practice

Photo by

@the_lost_portraits

.

Calling all yoga junkies! :)

Do you ever read about anatomy and the function of yoga poses to help deepen your practice? 

Sometimes reading about the postures can help you understand them in a completely new way. 

Here are two books I'd recommend. 

The Complete Guide to Yoga Inversions

by

Jennifer DeCurtins

, R.Y.T.

The Student's Manual of Yoga Anatomy

by Sally Parkes

I've been reading these books lately for new ideas about how to sequence my yoga classes leading up to a peak pose. They are filled with so much great information!

I'd recommend both of these books to any yogi, especially if you:

• teach yoga

• want to practice advanced poses safely

• are completing a yoga teacher training and studying anatomy

I love that 

The Complete Guide to Yoga Inversions

offers foundational pose alignment (ie downdog, side plank, and forward fold) before getting into the details of more challenging poses. I also love that each pose has a few tips and tricks that help make the posture more accessible-- shifting the gaze or moving the weight in the hands or feet, or an idea for what to do if you get stuck. Truly an amazing book!

The Student's Manual of Yoga Anatomy

 --

this book would be a great starting place for someone in their first teacher training, or if you're a yogi who practices mostly at home and you can't usually get to a studio. I love that the beginning of the book includes information on spinal movement and types of muscle activity. Then the book details each pose with information on how to get into the pose safely, how to modify and use props, and what to be careful of. This is a very thorough, easy-to-digest manual for many poses, and a book I'd highly recommend to practitioners of all levels.

Photo by 

@the_lost_portraits

.

What yoga books are you reading lately?

A big thanks to the team at The Quarto Publishing Group for offering me the opportunity to check out these books. I'll definitely be recommending them to students and teachers, and using the knowledge from each book to inform my own practice!

Namaste.

PS Four of my other favorite

yoga books

 and a book featuring

yoga and poetry

. 

Stay Open

Photos by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Today, do everything you do with love.

Resist the temptation to close your heart off.

Notice when the impulse to close off comes up, and consciously make an effort to stay open.

Keep practicing, forgiving yourself along the way.

Instant Gratitude (And Yoga Books)

Photos courtesy of Yani.

One of my favorite parts about Alive in the Fire is that this blog has inspired me to read so many incredible yoga books! (And books about meditation, spirituality, relationships, cooking, and more.)

I'm grateful when I receive emails about new books that are coming out, or I have the chance to read them or share them with the Sponsored Yogis team.

We'll be sharing some book reviews soon, but first I just wanted to share this sweet quote from Yani. I emailed her to let her know to expect books in the mail, and this was her response...

My initial response, knowing that these books are on their way... instant gratitude. 

I love personal growth books. I geek out. I often feel that they arrive in my life at the right time, and I will be reading them at the right moment. 

I cannot wait to dig deep and allow this new information into my mind. 

What a beautiful thought, right? Instant gratitude. And, an openness to receiving new information at the exact right time.

Just had to share that with you guys :) 

Maxed Out on Holding Space

Photo by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Calling all yoga teachers, healers, and empaths!

What do you do when you feel maxed out on holding space for others? When you've got too many classes, appointments or deep conversations hanging out on your calendar?

What helps you rejuvenate?

What helps you release guilt about canceling plans? Or do you emphasize perseverance and reworking your plan to find more balance?

I need some ideas to incorporate into my week... perhaps some that are simple and effective, yet not time-consuming, and perhaps some that require more time commitment.

Thanks in advance for your help! Namaste.

Stay True

Photos by Tom Huynh Photography.

Give yourself permission to be unsteady and uncertain. Remember that you're doing the best you can with what resources you have.

Don't discount all the effort you're putting in. It is incredible, the way you keep moving forward in spite of the setbacks and challenges. 

Stay true to yourself. 

5 Daily Activities You Can Do While Practicing Yoga

Illustration via Pinterest.

Note: This is a guest post by yogi Alberto Güitrón. 

5 Daily Activities You Can Do While Practicing Yoga

Who hasn’t had one of those days when it’s hard to find time to catch your breath? I know I’ve been there. Sometimes it is challenging to relax and be mindful, let alone find time to get on the mat and practice a full yoga sequence.

But hey! We don’t have to be on a peaceful yoga retreat to practice. Because even surrounded by the constant hustle in which we live in, we all still have to take a shower, right?...I sure hope so :) We all still have to eat, sleep, get dressed, and go about our day. So, why not fit in some yoga during the activities we do each day?

These simple poses can help you create awareness, soften any muscles in your body that are tight, and help you keep a positive attitude.

Here are the five activities that can help you fit asana in, even during your busiest days:

Image source: Power Living

1. Practice yoga while taking a shower
I will share a brief personal story for this one. Before bringing yoga into my life, I used to find it hard to wash my feet. I had to balance leaning against the wall and grab my foot trying not to slip and fall. Until one day it occurred to me: Why don’t I try it in a Standing Forward Bend? Voila! Now I can easily reach my feet and wash in between the toes in Uttanasana without worrying about the slippery floor. Then, a Halfway Lift is ideal to wash the legs, and whenever I feel adventurous, I even try the Reverse Prayers Pose to reach my back with the sponge. I encourage you to do the same. Just pay attention to your breath or the water will run down your nose.

Image source: Storyteller Within.

2. Practice yoga while writing

Even if writing is not one of your main duties, I’m pretty sure almost everyone sends an email, writes a memo or just types on a laptop at least once a day. How about doing it while sitting in a Lotus Pose or a Hero’s Pose? Just put a flat surface on your lap to hold your notebook, laptop or whatever you’re using to write, and feel like a hero in your Virasana.

Also, if you’re on a chair behind a desk and are too shy to sit on the floor in the middle of the office, you can try to grab one ankle and bring it over the opposite thigh (something like a Figure Four but sitting down). Send the chest forward a little bit and feel the juices flowing in your hips and hammies without the shame of your coworkers staring at you.

Image source: Elemental Embrace.

3. Do yoga while reading

Since you are such a busy person, you may not have the time to read a good novel. However, there might be some boring reports waiting to be read. Motivate yourself with a Sphinx Pose! Grab those papers, lie on your stomach and put them in front of you. Enjoy the backbend and you’ll be done with the task way faster.

Image source: Yoga Shala.

4. Get dressed while practicing yoga

How about dressing up in a fun yoga-ish way? You can put on a t-shirt while transitioning from Warrior I to Warrior II, both arms would escape through the holes at the same time avoiding the usual struggle. You could adjust your shoes practicing Triangle Pose; and if you feel brave enough, you could even try to put on your pants in a Headstand... gravity will do most of the work.

5. Sleep and yoga

This one is easy. At one point you will have to sleep no matter how big of a workaholic you are. Therefore, go to bed in Shavasana, relax your body, focus on your breath and let your body move deeper until you fall asleep. You’ll wake up feeling fresh, energized and with no back or neck pain.

Now, those who claim not to have time for yoga have run out of excuses. And even if you do have time for your regular practice, these poses are fun to do and will help remind you to carry your practice with you no matter where you are.

Alberto Güitrón is a Community Manager at BookYogaRetreats.com. He is a committed yoga practitioner who still can’t touch the ground with his heels in Downward Dog. One day he’ll do it and he will probably write a story bragging about it.