[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The 3 Elements of a Successful Yoga Practice:” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:28|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Playfair%20Display%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]

Yoga means union. It is a practice of unifying the mind, body, and spirit. It is when we make this union, true transformation will begin. There are 3 main elements in order to create a successful and transformational yoga practice. Once you have these 3 key elements down, your yoga practice will become more of a mediation in motion. It is when we create this mediation in motion that we will begin to align the mind, body, and spirit.

1.) Asana (the yoga pose).

Finding correct alignment in your asana is extremely important in order to maintain a healthy spine. After all, happy spine = happy life! In every single pose you should be in optimal alignment for your entire spine. As an instructor, my job is to help guide you into this optimal alignment by giving you verbal cues and even gentle adjustments when needed so you can experience what it feels like to be in optimal alignment throughout the body.

2.) Breath.

In yoga we use the Ujjayi Pranayama (ooh-JAH-yee prah-nah-YAH-mah) to help calm the mind and warm the body. When practicing Ujjayi, you completely fill your lungs, while slightly contracting your throat, and breathe through your nose. This breath will allow you to excess your asana a little deeper. When we get into tough poses we tend to hold our breath…REMEMBER TO BREATH! Its extremely important to hold onto this ujjayi breath, this will help you get through the tough poses!

3.) Drishti (the yogic gaze).

I put a lot of emphasis on the drishti because this is what is going to help you create that meditative mind set. Each asana has its own drishti. For example: In downward facing dog your drishti is in between your feet. (or classically at your belly button, but this isn’t always best for every’s neck) The drishti is your focus point. You should not be looking at anything in the yoga room except your drishti. This will help a lot with mind chatter.

Have you ever been in a pose in the middle of a yoga class and found yourself being distracted by the cute yoga pants of the girl next to you? Or even the zen decorations in the room? It’s okay you’re not alone, but this can be avoided. By incorporating this yogic gaze we don’t allow ourselves to become distracted by anything else in the room because we have a fixed gaze in each pose[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While in each pose you should only be thinking about these 3 elements to a successful yoga practice.

Once you accomplish this, you will begin to see you and your yoga practice completely transform.

You will begin to notice the benefits of yoga take over more than you ever have before.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]