Everybodies Yoga

Yoga is a study that can be incorporated into every bodies physical work-out program as well as daily lives. There are many benefits to this practice as it meets each individual where they are instead of asking you to conform to a preconceived physical state. Below are some suggestions for people who fall into particular groups, but the whole of the practice can be practiced by anyone in any state of fitness. As with any exercise program, please consult a physician before beginning strenuous activity and move into the practice slowly and with caution.

Average Joe

As with the average person any form of physical activity is necessary. Yoga brings many elements that will benefit both the mind and body. Simply taking time out of our busy schedules to focus on ourselves has benefit in itself, but to incorporate mindful attention to the physical will enhance our daily lives.

Begin your practice with taking time to simply sit and clear the mind. Move into some deep breathing, allowing the belly to expand on inhale and deflate on exhale, taking the air deeply into the body. Gently allow any thoughts that present themselves to be acknowledged and then allow them to go, assuring them you'll get back to them at another time.

Stressed Out Mom

For the Stressed Out Mom there is not more valuable time that the time that we take for ourselves. Having three children of my own, I know that to make this time is not easy and often times we feel guilty for taking it. The statement that "A Happy Mom makes a Happy Home" is amazingly true! One way that we can be Happy Mom's is to make time to feel good about ourselves and keep our bodies in a healthy condition. Yoga is one way that we can do this. You don't have to go to a Yoga studio or take an entire hour to work with a video, but simply make time to do what you can on any given day and you will begin to notice the positive effects.

To begin, simply sit and breath. We are often "on the go" so much, that we forget what it is like to simply be still. Even if for just a moment, sit comfortably and breath. Allow the breath to deepen and slow down the nervous systems of the body. Take a moment to draw your attention to your thoughts. Acknowledge each thought that presents itself, assure them you will get back to them at another time and simply allow them to go. When you feel relatively calm and centered, take time to perform some or all the following physical postures. Remembering to progress through them observing what the body is telling you and that the "no pain no gain" train of thought does not apply to Yoga. Yoga should make you feel good, not be another chore we must do during our busy days.

Busy Executive

Often times we are so engrossed in our duties at work that we forget to take time for ourselves. I have found with my Busy Executive clients that when they make time for themselves they feel that their performance in the office is enhanced, their focus is improved and they can deal better with the stresses of their occupation. Spending hours sitting at a desk can reap havoc on the body and taking some time to undo what the stagnant physical day holds is beneficial to both the mind and body.Even if you only have 15 minutes or need a quick "break" from your busy day, take time to move through some or all of the below program and see how it makes you feel.

Sitting at your desk, take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. Turn away from your computer or the work piled up on your desk and allow all the thoughts of the day to go, knowing that they will be there when you are ready to begin your work again. Allow your breath to deepen becoming aware of how it moves through your body. Allow the breath to move through any parts of the body that you notice are holding tensions, like the shoulders, neck and back. Allow the breath to carry away that tensions as much as possible.

Teens

Being a teenager is hard these days! There is so much stress placed upon you to perform at school, in athletics, and or socially and you rarely take time to just be yourselves. The changing hormones and chemistry of the growing body is complicated and often times confusing. If you can learn how to acknowledge and adapt to these changes both physically and emotionally your will have a much more productive and fulfilling time in these teenage years. The earlier you learn to take care of yourself the more you will enjoy your life and be able to deal with all of the challenges that lay ahead.

Put aside your books or whatever you may be doing and simply sit comfortably. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Check in on your body and see how it feels. Allowing your breath to deepen, let the pressures of the day and your life to melt away even if for just this little bit of time. Anything that you need to take care of will be there when you choose to end this time your taking for yourself. Notice if any parts of your body feel tight. Let your breath to exhale out through them, releasing the tension your holding there. After you feel relaxed and calm, move through some or all of the postures below.

Little Ones

Yoga for the Little Ones should be fun and creative! These wonderful children have the luxury of not yet collecting all of the stresses in their minds and bodies that we adults have, so they should be allowed to approach Yoga in a fun and playful way if they choose. For kids the goal of practicing Yoga is to have an outlet for their creativity and to teach them to get in touch with what their bodies are doing. Also, the meditative part of Yoga will allow them to learn to focus their minds and feel they have control over themselves and their thoughts. This will serve them well as they grow and learn to deal the stresses of life.

When they're ready, have your little one sit comfortably and take some full deep breaths. With each breath they should visualize the breath coming in through the top of their head and flowing down through their body into the floor, taking any yucky feelings they may have down into the earth. If you would like, encourage them to visualize their favorite friend, toy, relative or anything that makes them happy. After they seem calm and focused, gently guide them through some of the postures below.

Mature Ones

As we age our bodies become more stagnant. All of the stresses we've experienced throughout our lives compound and create typically stiff and unresponsive muscles. Yoga is a wonderful way to combat this phenomenon and bring vitality back into your life. You don't need to be able to run a mile or do a headstand or turn yourself into a pretzel to do Yoga, just a simple willingness to feel better is all that is necessary!