New Year, New Mind

Check out my latest post on MindBodyGreen

It goes perfectly with my cd, YOGA MIND

If you want health, happiness and a quiet mind, you’ve probably considered starting a meditation practice. Here are some tips to help you stay on track this year.

1. Don’t get intimidated by your busy mind!

The mind is like a TV with all the stations (drama, comedy, tragedy, history, etc), which can make you feel as if you’ll never find a still point. It’s a practice, so just practice. As with any training, the seeds take time to grow and flourish, they just need active patience and honoring.

2. Remember that you have options; there are different ways to practice so that you can enjoy a fruitful journey.

You can choose to commit to one style for a 21-day period and then switch. You can alternate from day to day, or you can add on a few minutes at the end of your yoga session before savasana.

3. Try mindfulness meditation.

This practice, which emphasizes nonjudgemental awareness, is a wonderful way to meditate because it includes activities like yoga and tai-chi. Or you can do it while you eat or walk. You can also simply clear some silent time at your desk, sit, scan your body for tension, acknowledge the moment as it is, watch a few breaths coming in and going out.

4. Practice concentrating.

Concentration is a practice in and of itself; at the root of meditation is the ability to focus. If you’re a multi-tasker, this may be refreshing for you. You can try using a mantra, like the So-Hum or Aum, or you can light a candle and sustain your gaze on the flame

5. Focus on a theme or a question.

This makes contemplation easier. We yogis like the “Who AM I?” question, which encourages you to peel off layers of the self you think you know and get right to your inner core of light. (Yes, the wandering mind will kick in, that’s ok…keep on keeping on.)

6. Try heart and love-centered meditations, which focus more on feeling than thinking.

They can help replace sadness and fear by encouraging you to feel the qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity .You can sit for these, or donate your time as a volunteer or go through your closets and give things to someone needy.

7. Experiment with a visualization-based meditation.

These are fun because they use your imagination. You may want to focus on feeling an inner smile in every organ, or envision the breath as healing, relaxing golden light melting your troubles like warm sunshine.

Instead of worrying about not having the time to meditate, act as if peace were portable. Anywhere, at any time, your breath and your attention can be focused, conserved and directed. I am calm in this moment. I am. I am calm in this moment. I am.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com

Coherence

“Yoga..is the art which brings an incoherent and scattered mind to a reflective and coherent state” ~ B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on PranayamaNew year, new you. Perhaps you are seeking to be more peaceful or be able to move through daily and or sport specific activities with less pain, and better posture. All great reasons to contact me for private yoga classes here in Bergen County, or check out my Yoga Class Schedule

nourishment

 

New Year New You

first post of yr

Well friends, this is my first post of 2014.  Set yourself up for a terrific year. Near or far, my Yoga Mind CD is portable peacefulness.  I am located in Bergen County and have a few public Yoga Classes that you will love – or:

 

 

 

Private Yoga Lessons are the most effective form of Yoga, and the quickest way to reach your own goals.  Whether you are an athlete or a weekend warrior, or just busy, a private yoga class can help you:

  • Change musculoskeletal patterns that inhibit the way you move, cause chronic or acute pain/discomfort, and impede injury recover
  • Improve posture
  • Enhance performance
  • Feel peaceful and positive
  • Allow you to ask questions and get direct feedback
  • Help you learn modifications that you can use to stay safer in group classes
  • Use Yoga as it is intended, therapeutically ~ the right practices for you
  • Helps you maximize the benefits