“A healthy life is a life in balance. Yoga practise offers an opportunity for learning about dynamic balance. Maintaining mind-body balance provides the best platform to make karmically correct choices, enabling you to perform actions in the most efficient way. A life in balance is a life in dharma, for every action supports the evolutionary flow of life in which minimal resistance and maximum success are generated” – Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga
Every summer I get new business as people injure themselves from some preventable situations…so I have decided to give some simple tips to keep everyone out of as much trouble as possible. Life is so much easier if you do not ignore your weaknesses and/or add a bit of mindfulness to break out of auto-pilot.To all you gardeners out there, if you have knee problems, spending a full day on your knees may not be the best thing without some kind of padding underneath you. Even folding a yoga mat or gym mat and placing it under your knees can be good, you can hose it down later.
Golfers, I do not play but I did get a student to bring in a golf club so I could watch him swing it, and I do believe some yoga beforehand can limber up the spine and truly focus you for game time. It also helps with all the self-criticism.
Cyclists, I love my bicycle…but seeing people without a helmet makes me nervous. It is a law here in Montreal. It is more life affirming to wear one than to be cocky and say “nothing is going to happen to me without one”
Swimmers, well yoga has definitely changed my strokes for the better, much more open in the shoulders, and I am also a great breather. What I highly recommend is getting comfortable with a slower exhalation. Panic is not a swimmers BFF, you want to learn on-land how to stay calm before you go into a pool, lake, ocean or go snorkeling…
Barbeque-er’s, yumm! What can I say about overeating, it is fun, but with the heat, too much food, and spillover stress, the digestive system may not take kindly to it. Enjoy yourself, but practise watching for when you are full, then pack it up as leftovers. Everyone wants to know how yoga can help with weight loss – well this tip is numero uno.
Walkers, I love walking. Great way to connect to nature, hear yourself think, get some quiet time.
You can try a walking meditation, just slowing it down with nature’s music, listening to your breathing, and going step by step…
Flip Flop wearers, gotta love flip flops, just know they have no support so feet, knees, lower back are not going to happy…at least find a way to safely elevate your legs, do foot circles to keep joints limber
Joggers, posture-wise, let the hips do the running – having rounded doopy shoulders adds unnecessary pressure to your spine plus likely slows you down. Activity should be balanced with rest.
To all you “I want to meditate but have no time”ers – there is nothing like watching a sunrise or a sunset, or rainbow. Nature is always giving us moments to feel grateful, open, priviledged. Instead of looking, try seeing. Meditation cultivates the witness, psychological distance, emotional balance and lots of great stuff. If you are given the opportunity, take it instead of turning your back on it.
Stay hydrated.
Be optimistic and prepared. There is nothing like a deck of cards, a notepad and pen, a book, magazine or article…
Watch your purse or wallet. You can trust your family and friends, but in a foreign country stay present and alert.
Use summer time which is typically a ‘relaxed‘ season, to actually learn how if you don’t have an on-going practise. Relaxation is not being a couch potato, contrary to popular belief…there are tips, techniques and tools but it is safe for everyone and actually everyone needs it. Yes, even you.
Even writing down a wonderful experience is positive, and perhaps will serve you in your visualisation practise. Some people call it a gratitude journal, you may find you want to blog – I don’t know, but if it feels creative, likely it is a good option.
Happy summer
Om shanty, shanty, shanty
Rana
Rana Waxman is a registered yoga therapist ERYT-500, with 20 years of teaching experience. Rana is a freelance writer and social media expert in addition to leading yoga workshops internationally and teaching alignment focused private and group Yoga Lessons in Hoboken and Jersey City NJ.
