Home Practice: Start Simple

All of us enjoy our time we spend at the yoga studio practicing for ourselves and with others.  But, we also know that we can’t make it to as many classes as we would like to. 
 
The next best thing is to start your own at home practice.  This doesn’t have to be the same as your practice at the studio.  In fact, this is a great opportunity to practice exactly what you want be it meditation, your favorite pose, pranayama (breathing exercises), or even just a few minutes of peace and quite.
 
Set aside a few minutes each day to be at peace with your self and your surroundings.  Sit down in a quite place (lying down can work too) and become aware of your breath.  Feel inspired with each inhale and a release with each exhale.  Add a mudra, try Ravi Mudra, to deepen your experience.  Place the tips of the thumb and ring fingers together extending the other three fingers.  This mudra can add an element of energy and health to your body and mind.
 
Breathe deeply for several minutes.  Allow the spine to be tall and extended feeling lift with the inhales and grounded with the exhales.  Focus on deep, rhythmic belly breaths as the body and mind release tension and stress.  Watching the thoughts come in and leave our minds with a sense of non-attachment, just as if we were watching the passing clouds on a summer day.  Enjoying the present moment, letting go of things that do not matter during this time.  There will be plenty of time to take care of the laundry and the family later, after we have taken time for our selves and our yoga.
 
To complete this simple practice take a deep breath in and bring the hands to the heart into Anjali Mudra (this is a prayer-like position).  Take a moment to honor and thank yourself for embracing this time to feed the body, mind and spirit.
 
~Namaste.