The Best in Yoga
- Admin
- Apr 10, 2018
- 3 min read
If you practice yoga, you know when you had a good or bad experience as our unconscious mind is always comparing and contrasting. I have been practicing yoga on and off for about 8 years now. Sometimes I'll go 20 times a month and other times I'll go a 7 times a year. As any other yogis, I have been to various studios. In doing so, I have found what I like and don't like. While you're reading, you'll either think "yesss," or "eh." Here is a list of items I think takes the best of yoga (and I found it has mostly to do with your instructor):
1. Perfect temperature. Sources state that hot yoga is amazing for you and people rave about it but it's not for everyone. I feel like like I'm constantly thinking about how I'm trying not to pass out and it just ruins the experience for me. I prefer a slightly cooler environment.
2. Inhale and exhale. Sometimes when focusing on getting the poses down, we hold in our breath. It is useful when the instructor reminds us to inhale and exhale and where in the pose we should do so. It sounds so simple but it's easy to forget.
3. Soothing voice. Maybe this is a little nitpicky, but having a yoga instructor with a calming voice can make you feel calm. I have been to gym yoga studios with more upbeat yoga instructors, and that's totally fine if that is for you, but for me, it didn't get me to that place where I like to be when practicing.
4. Spray those essential oils. Have you ever been to a studio where the instructor walks around the room while you are on your 20th dogward dog and sprays essential oils? Little things like that make you feel better and not focus on how much sweat you're dripping on your mat.
5. Fix your pose. Some people get annoyed by it and I get it because you're probably totally in your zone and putting in your full effort but I happened to love when an instructor comes around and corrects poses. It shows the instructor wants to make sure you're getting the most out of practice and it forms a relationship.
6. The best Shavasana experience. It's important to take it all in during Shavasana, after a challenging practice. To get deep into the position, it's best when the instructor:
- Puts a blanket under your knees to help relieve your back
- Puts a blanket over you because it gets cold
- Presses your shoulders down and give you a quick massage
- When they rub essential oils on your forehead and/or temples
- Uses chimes to wake you up
Wow, that is quite the list I have ...
7. Get into it. When an instructor is into their practice, you feel that. You feel more connected to them and to your practice. You feel safe and relaxed. You feel like you want to meet them at their level.
What do you love about yoga? Is there a yoga place or instructor we should know about?
“Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they’re meant to be.” - B.K.S Iyengar
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