Stop Skipping Savasana

For most people, Savasana is the easiest pose to get into, but the hardest pose to stay in. As a result some people bolt out of class early and skip it all together. But, Savasan is honestly, the best part of class. It's the reward for all your hard work.

Why is Savasana so hard?

Savasana means total relaxation. It is a chance for your body to absorb your practice. It’s a way to rejuvenate your body and mind. Most people find Savasana so difficult because they have a hard time lying still, closing their eyes, and quitting their minds.  So instead of trying to relax into the pose, they avoid it.

Here are some tips to help you in Savasana.

How To Do Savasana Properly

1. Spread the legs one to two feet apart, the toes are turned outwards, the heels facing each other, a comfortable distance apart.

2. Bring the arms a little away from the body, palms turned upward.

3. Relax the whole body. Letting go of any tension you may be holding onto.

4. Close the eyes and focus the attention on the body, breathing normally.

5. Bring your attention slowly to each body part and try to relax them one at a time.

5 Tips For A Successful Savasana

1. Close your eyes.

2. Allow your body to melt into the mat.

3. Keep the mind focused on relaxing. As thoughts come to your minds eye, acknowledge them, but then let them go.  

4. Avoid moving the body, as even the slightest movement will use many muscles and increase the nerve impulses.

5. Practice, practice, practice. It's not easy, but it's totally worth it. Don't give up.

Why you should Savasana

Here are some benefits:

• Improved self-confidence.

• Improved concentration.

• Increased energy levels and in general productivity.

• Improvement in concentration and in memory.

• Relaxes your whole body.

• Releases stress, fatigue, depression and tension.

• Helps insomnia.

• Decreased fatigue, coupled with deeper and sounder sleep.

• Calms the mind and improves mental health, i.e anxiety

• Stimulates blood circulation.

So I challenge you, next time you feel like skipping Savasana, dont... no matter how busy you may be. Indulge yourself in those 5 or so minutes at the end of your practice and you will reap the benefits, I promise you.

17 Reasons to Do Yoga in 2017

Yoga is an ancient practice with origins stretching back thousands of years in India. It was designed as a way to help the yogi achieve a more positive outlook on life and a focused, more permanent sense of serenity and peace. Nowadays we also use yoga as a way to help build strength and increase our flexibility. If you think yoga might not be for you, I urge you to reconsider.

I have practiced yoga for a long time now and could not be more grateful that I was introduced to the practice when I was because of all the amazing benefits it has given me. In fact, I love it and believe in it so much that I’ve decided to open my own studio.  

Yoga’s benefits are available to everyone (really everyone)! You may need to find the style or teacher that suits you and your situation, but once you do, yoga has the capacity to change your life for the better. I swear!!!

Below are some of the many reasons why I think everyone should do yoga.

17 Reasons why you should start doing yoga in 2017!

1. People of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities can do yoga and adapt it to suit their individual needs.

2. You can still do it when you’re nearly 100 years old.

3. It’s a great workout. You can adapt the practice to your own speed and ability.

4. It helps you become more in touch and aware within your body.

5. It can help your breathing. A big part of yoga is the breathing exercises, or  pranayama. As someone with asthma, it really helped me to breathe consciously.

6. It can improve your posture and help you walk a little taller, especially if you're hunched over at a computer all day.

7. It improves mental health. Yoga is a great way to clear your mind, and alleviate stress.

8. It’ll help improve your sleep. Yoga is an effective treatment because it addresses insomnia’s physical and psychological aspects.

9. Sculpt muscles. Yoga uses the weight of your own body to build muscle mass and strength.

10. It’s great for injury prevention. Flexible, well-stretched muscles will heal and recover more quickly after working out or getting strained.

11. Yoga is a judgement free zone. Check your ego at the door and get on your mat. Do your best that day and know that our practice may look different everyday and that's ok.

12. It helps calm your mind. Yoga helps you to slow down and breathe. This leads to greater concentration as you work your way through each pose and creates a calmness that lasts the rest of the day.  

13. Yoga allows you to become more present in the moment. Put down your smartphone for 60-75 minutes and get on the mat. Let go of your day and settle in, it’s time to take care of you!

14. It’ll push your limits. There are many types of yoga classes, some gentler than others, but when you find the class that matches your abilities (and pushes them), you’ll amp up your cardio and build whole-body lean muscle mass. Find a class with Power, Vinyasa, or Flow in the title, and you can skip the gym that day.

15. The more you practice yoga, the better you become at accepting whatever life throws your way. Yoga can help you stay present and positive, even through the hard times.

16. Yoga helps you to make better choices. Becoming healthier and experiencing all the benefits of yoga will make you more aware and able to choose things in life that support a positive journey.

17. Yoga makes you feel better. It’s just that simple. It’s why so many people get hooked on yoga. You will always feel better after a yoga class.

Enough reasons for you to try it out?!?!