New Year’s Yoga Inspirations
Reprinted from Quiet Mind Yoga’s newsletter on January 10, 2012
What does the New Year mean to you, on and off the mat? Do you perceive a year as linear or cyclic? Do you replace the previous year’s calendar with days filled with events and milestones, with a new one whose blank days glow with hope and anticipation?
Do you perceive your yoga practice as linear or cyclic? Does chanting OM at the end bring your practice to full circle? Or do you perceive your practice as starting with centering and ending with savasana? Is your practice an ongoing journey, or do you wonder why your hips feel tighter than the last time you were on the mat, or are you wishing that you could already attain that elusive asana?
Can you let go of the past and the future, and focus on your breath in the present moment? Notice how deeply you can inhale, and how slowly you can exhale. Notice the small sensations in your body’s movements following the breath. Notice where you feel the breath in each asana. In savasana, observe the softness of your slow, deep breath while your body absorbs the effects of asana practice.
What is your typical day like? Do you start off with a stretch and a big yawn, gauging the temperature and the light beaming through the window? Or do you blast out from under the covers into the shower, throw your clothes on, and rush to your tasks? Likewise, how do you approach bedtime? Do you have a ritual that acknowledges the conclusion of your day?
Listen to your body, your mind, and your heart. The answer lies within you.
Approach life off the mat the way you would like to approach your yoga practice on the mat. Try small changes. Light a candle or burn incense in the bathroom during your shower. Or turn all electronics off and sit with a hot cup of tea, and think of ten things that you’re grateful about your day. You will discover that, no matter how frustrating your day was, it went better than you thought.
I wish for you a joyous and luminous 2012, with love and gratitude.
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Click on Workshops to see what’s coming in 2012!
*2 Valentine’s Day Partner Yoga Workshops – including one for families
*Cyndi Lee & David Nichtern’s “Yoga Body Buddha Mind” OM Yoga workshop
*Happy Hips Workshop
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Yoga on the Steps – Freedom Plaza, Washington, D.C.
A FUNdraiser for Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Benefits women cancer survivors who need help now!
To donate, please click here.
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What students say about Amy Dara:
I highly recommend Amy Dara’s yoga classes. Her classes expertly combine mind, body, and breath work. Amy Dara routinely gives her students clear directions and modifications, if needed. Because of her thoughtful teaching style, I have noticed improvements in my own yoga practice. ~ Anne T.
I was brand new to yoga when I first took Amy Dara’s class, and her gentle approach and welcoming nature drew me to the practice, which is now a part of my daily life. Every class left me feeling limber, relaxed, and grateful. Amy Dara left such a positive impact on my mind, body, and soul. I have loved being in her classes for the past year and I want to thank her for being such a wonderful and supportive teacher. ~ Brooke L.
One thing I always remember from Amy Dara’s classes is her saying to “approach it with curiosity.” I like to apply that to life in general! Thanks for being such a great teacher, Amy Dara! ~ Ai-Hui T.
The most interesting and valuable part of this class was the instructor [Amy Dara]… extremely knowledgeable, thoughtful, and comprehensive in her teaching script and her technique. ~ Blog YogaNat.com
Went to the 5:30 pm class last night and it was fantastic! Amy Dara was a great instructor. She showed us how to make each pose more challenging and encouraged us to push ourselves, but not in an obnoxious way. Amy Dara had lovely energy and I’d like to take more of her classes. ~ C.S.
Amy Dara’s flow yoga class was nice because while I am usually hesitant to try any kind of balancing (for fear of falling into the student next to me), she was patient and laid back enough that I didn’t feel pressured to try anything I was uncomfortable with. Because of that, I think I accomplished more balancing than I have in any other class! ~ Ashley R.
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Like my classes? Always eager for the next private session with me? Please write me a review on betterfly.com!
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Please read my OM Yoga Center blog article on meditation!
Please read my OM Yoga Center blog about teaching the day after 9/11/01.
Please read my Elephant Journal article on being a deaf yoga teacher!
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Please see Classes page for scheduled subbings.
Please see Events page for Yoga for Women Cancer Survivors!
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