Mindfulness is becoming increasingly popular and is now accepted as an effective tool for people with a variety of medical conditions. But what is mindfulness?
It is simply being aware and awake to the present. Thich Nhat Hanh describes it as" the continuous practice of touching life deeply in every moment."
It does not require you to sign up to any religion, or to sit for an hour meditating. It asks you to do things you ordinarily do, but with an awareness of what you are doing. When you are washing dishes, you are ONLY washing dishes. Often while doing ordinary tasks, eating, walking, we are preoccupied with our worries or plans and we are not really present to the moment or experience we are in.
Ideally you will learn to develop a formal sitting meditation practice as this will help to strengthen your ability to be mindful throughout your day.
Start now by simply being aware of the breath coming in and out of your nose.
The Vanuatu Yoga Association has Mindful meditation classes on Friday mornings, 7:45 - 8:30 at the Vanuatu Education & Tutoring office, above the gallery beside Asco Motors.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Monday, 4 February 2013
How I start home practice
I begin yoga almost in a ritualistic way but really it's about creating habits.
If I am intending to practice early say at 4:45am, I make sure I put out my yoga clothes before I go to bed and I have a space cleared to practice and put out my yoga mat.
No excuses, if it's a bad night sleep I still get up but maybe my practice starts a little slower with a meditation or a restorative pose first. If I'm practicing Ashtanga I usually always begin in child's pose and rag doll to get into my hips and spine and I begin my ujayii breath before beginning the Invocation and Surya Namaskars.
I find that if I add a little compassion straight away to my physical practice my head lets go of it's resistant thoughts.
If I am practicing later in the day I put my yoga clothes on, light some incense or aromatherapy in an oil burner, same thing put my yoga mat out so it keeps inviting me to play.
And I hate to say it but sometimes a coffee really helps!
If I am intending to practice early say at 4:45am, I make sure I put out my yoga clothes before I go to bed and I have a space cleared to practice and put out my yoga mat.
No excuses, if it's a bad night sleep I still get up but maybe my practice starts a little slower with a meditation or a restorative pose first. If I'm practicing Ashtanga I usually always begin in child's pose and rag doll to get into my hips and spine and I begin my ujayii breath before beginning the Invocation and Surya Namaskars.
I find that if I add a little compassion straight away to my physical practice my head lets go of it's resistant thoughts.
If I am practicing later in the day I put my yoga clothes on, light some incense or aromatherapy in an oil burner, same thing put my yoga mat out so it keeps inviting me to play.
And I hate to say it but sometimes a coffee really helps!
Sunday, 3 February 2013
post yoga smoothie
If you are into Power and Ashtanga yoga, chances are you are sweating a lot if you are practicing here in Vanuatu at this time of year. Here is my favourite post yoga drink.
Blend the following, juice of a green coconut, 2 frozen bananas, handful of chopped pineapple and 1-2 dessertspoons of cacao nibs. Add extra water if you prefer and you can also add the flesh of the green coconut.
Local cacao nibs can be found at ACTIV which is out near the turn off to Club Hippique. Cacao are a great source of magnesium.
Blend the following, juice of a green coconut, 2 frozen bananas, handful of chopped pineapple and 1-2 dessertspoons of cacao nibs. Add extra water if you prefer and you can also add the flesh of the green coconut.
Local cacao nibs can be found at ACTIV which is out near the turn off to Club Hippique. Cacao are a great source of magnesium.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)