Category: N2-Santosha

September 2023: Santosha (Contentment) – Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana (One Legged King Pigeon)

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, 3-Asanas, N2-Santosha

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Happy September 12, 2023 – Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana (One Legged King Pigeon)

Good morning Yogis! We are continuing our cycle through the Yoga Sutras with the second of the Niyamas – Santosha or Contentment. Since we are in the middle of a September Asana Challenge, we are featuring a new Asana that represents each of the Yoga Sutras! Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana (EH-kah PAH-duh RAH-juh kah-po-TAH-sa-nuh) or One Legged King Pigeon pose is my choice to represent Santosha. This pose, especially with a forward fold, always brings me to a mindful place in my Asana practice, and whenever I practice, I just want to hang out in this pose!

Bonus Daily Asana Challenge

We are in the middle of a daily Asana practice challenge for September! Please see our Asana Styles page for links to YouTube videos for various Yoga Styles. For Santosha Day today, I recommend an alignment-focused Iyengar class.

I usually practice with the Yoga Studio App rather than streaming services, so I can download my favorite classes and use in areas without WiFi or phone signal. Today I am doing one of my favorites – Intermediate Flexibility, which includes both variations of this pose.

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try One-Legged King Pigeon Pose for Santosha Day! This pose is a favorite among all levels of Yogis, and is a great passive hip opener.

If you would prefer an off-the-mat practice for Santosha Day – set or check-in on a meaningful daily habit!

Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana – One Legged King Pigeon Pose

Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana - One Legged King Pigeon Pose - yoga pose yoga girl wearing black doing yoga outside in the rocky mountains
Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana – One Legged King Pigeon Pose

Start in Table Top. We will begin with the LEFT leg forward. Bring your left knee forward, and place it next to the inside of your left hand. Extend your left leg straight back as you lower your hips, making sure you keep the top of your foot on the mat and hips pointing forward. Press your hands into the mat and roll your shoulders back, puffing out your chest to come into the standard version of this pose.

After a breath or two, you may want to slowly walk your hands forward to rest your upper body over your front leg in a forward fold. You can keep your front leg parallel to the front of your mat to deepen the stretch. Take deep breaths into your belly (perhaps try Vilona Pranayama) and hold this pose for at least 30-60 seconds. To come out, lift yourself back onto your hands if you are in a forward fold, flex up onto your back toes, and come back up into either Downward Dog or Tabletop. Make sure to repeat on the other side.

Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana - One Legged King Pigeon Pose - yoga pose yoga girl wearing black doing yoga outside in the rocky mountains
Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana – One Legged King Pigeon with Forward Fold

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PS If you are comfortable with variations of these poses, please tag us with your pictures on Instagram!

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Asana August 2023: Santosha (Contentment) – Happy Baby Pose

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, 3-Asanas, N2-Santosha

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Happy Asana August 13, 2023 – Santosha (Contentment) – Happy Baby Pose

Good morning Yogis! We are continuing our cycle through the Yoga Sutras with the second of the Niyamas – Santosha or Contentment. Since we are in the middle of an August Asana Challenge, we are featuring a new Asana that represents each of the Yoga Sutras! Ananda Balasana (ah-NAN-duh buh-LA-sa-nuh) or Happy Baby pose is my choice to represent Santosha. In addition to having a synonym for contentment in the name, it is hard not to smile rocking back and forth like a happy baby in this pose!

Bonus Daily Asana Challenge

We are in the middle of a daily Asana practice challenge for August! Please see our Asana Styles page for links to YouTube videos for various Yoga Styles. For Santosha Day today, I recommend an alignment-focused Iyengar class.

I usually practice with the Yoga Studio App rather than streaming services, so I can download my favorite classes and use in areas without WiFi or phone signal. Today I am doing one of my favorites – Intermediate Flexibility, and adding an extra Ananda Balasana at the end of this series.

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try Happy Baby Pose for Santosha Day! This pose is a favorite among all levels of Yogis, and is a great passive hip opener.

If you would prefer an off-the-mat practice for Santosha Day – try a mindfulness practice to find contentment in the present moment!

Ananda Balasana – Happy Baby Pose

Ananda Balasana - happy baby pose - yoga pose girl sunny day yoga on the beach
Ananda Balasana – Happy Baby Pose

Start laying on your back in Savasana / Corpse Pose with your knees bent and feet on the mat. Exhale and hug your knees in towards your chest.. you may want to enjoy this pose for a few breaths before coming into this pose!

Inhale and reach your hands between your knees. Grab the outside of each foot, exhale and spread your legs to each side of your torso. Ideally, your thighs will be parallel to the ground on each side of your torso and your feet will be flat up to the sky, but only bring your legs down as far as is comfortable. Your arms should be gently spreading your legs to the sides rather than forcing them down to the ground.

Take deep breaths into your belly (perhaps try Vilona Pranayama) and hold this pose for at least 3-5 full breaths. You can stay still, or rock slightly side to side like a happy baby this pose is named for. When you’re ready, release your feet and come back into Savasana / Corpse Pose with your knees bent and feet on the mat.

PS If you are comfortable with variations of these poses, please tag us with your pictures on Instagram!

Want more Santosha practices? Check out our Santosha Guide!

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July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: Glow-In-The-Dark / Night Lights & Camping

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 31, 2023 – Mindfulness & Flow: Glow-In-The-Dark / Night Lights & Camping

Good Morning Yogis! We are at the end of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month.

Today is a KISS (Keep it Super Simple) Day with a simple Fun Practice. Today is the full moon and the brightest night of the lunar month. This is a Super Moon and the brightest full moon of the year! With tonight’s full moon, moonlight on a clear evening is often bright enough to walk around, and even cast a shadow, so it is a perfect day (or night) to talk about one of my favorite nighttime activities – glow-in-the-dark or light-up nighttime activities or take it a step further with Camping! Or perhaps revisit moonlight Stargazing, one of my favorite nighttime activities that we tried last week during a night with no visible moon, or earlier this week under the waxing gibbous!

Check out this month’s Introduction for more on mindfulness, flow, and Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try. We will have 31 different practices and activities to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

cool shot of bright moon clear sky over ocean waves - mindful mindfulness moon making waves Quote: Don’t worry if you’re making waves just by being yourself. The moon does it all the time. - Scott Stabile original work - https://unsplash.com/photos/LIM3_XTo_5w
Don’t worry if you’re making waves just by being yourself. The moon does it all the time. – Scott Stabile

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: Light-up or Glow-in-the-dark Nighttime Fun or Camping! Today is a KISS simple day to enjoy the full moon, but you can turn a fun and simple outdoor activity into a mindful practice and your own Zen activity. You can make this as simple or as complex as you want, and taking a step back and observing your approach can be a way to learn more about yourself.

Camping

Camping is by far the most complicated practice option for today! I personally find the key to enjoying camping is being very prepared, since you often will not have easy access to necessities. Even if camping in your backyard, you will want to plan a comfortable sleeping arrangement, possibly a tent, and consider bug protection and ground/water protection with a tarp. You cannot prepare enough, so if you are new I do strongly recommend doing backyard camping weekend in your or a friend’s yard first, and research camping for beginners!

Light-up Nighttime Fun

I have been fascinated with glowy things since a child, always gathering glow-sticks, staring at friends’ lava lamps, and sticking glow-in-the-dark stars wherever I could. As I have gotten older, I started also enjoying light-up patio and barbeque areas, to keep fun gatherings for friends comfortable into the night! I strongly suggest looking into new cheap solar powered hanging lights, light strips, and floating balls. Take adult fun up a notch even more with new galaxy lights that sync to music, glowing flow toys, or light-up clothing or accessories. For kids – consider non-toxic glow face painting, glow-in-the-dark chalk, or prepare ahead and hide glow-in-the dark toys during the day for a fun nighttime scavenger hunt!

Stargazing

You can do this activity any night of the year, but is best around the new moon when there less light from the moon, or for celestial events like meteor showers. Tonight is the full moon, so it is the best nightof the lunar month to observe the surface of the moon! If this is new for you, make sure to bundle up or bring a warm thermos if needed – even during the summer, it can get quite cold outside at night! I strongly recommend the Sky Guide App which can help you identify stars and other celestial objects (like satellites) in the sky using your camera, plus identify and learn more about constellations and their mythology. Learn more about mindful stargazing and constellations. If tonight is poor weather to be outside or stargaze, perhaps try a Celestial Visualization Guided Meditation.

Try to calmly take notice when your thoughts drift back to the past or forward to the future. Try to bring yourself back to and fully immerse yourself in the present moment by focusing on the sight, sounds, smells, taste, or feel of your surroundings.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

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July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: International Day of Friendship – Fun with Friends

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 30, 2023 – Mindfulness & Flow: Fun with Friends

Good Morning Yogis! We are near the end of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month.

Check out this month’s Introduction for more on mindfulness, flow, and Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try. We will have 31 different practices and activities to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

International Day of Friendship

Today is the International Day of Friendship! So, for today’s Summer Fun activity, we will cover one of my favorite activities – Fun with friends!

cool shot of three girl friends embracing in the sunset - mindful mindfulness friends friendship positivity Quote: Friendship takes work. Finding friends, nurturing friendships, scheduling face time, it all takes a tremendous amount of work. But it’s worth it. If you put in the effort, you’ll see the rewards of positive friends who will make your life extraordinary. - Maya Angelou original work - https://unsplash.com/photos/tXiMrX3Gc-g
Friendship takes work. Finding friends, nurturing friendships, scheduling face time, it all takes a tremendous amount of work. But it’s worth it. If you put in the effort, you’ll see the rewards of positive friends who will make your life extraordinary. – Maya Angelou

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: Enjoying a fun time with a friend!

Fun with Friends

  • Enjoy a meal or drink with great conversation!
  • Spend an afternoon shopping or window shopping
  • Tour a brewery or winery
  • Call a friend on the phone or zoom and catch up
  • Play a card, board, trivia, or video game together (some of these can easily be done remotely!)
  • Beach Day!
  • Catch a new movie or watch your favorite TV shows together
  • Go for a walk or a hike together
  • Spend an afternoon enjoying a shared hobby like golf, biking, crafting or playing sports
  • Try an indoor adventure with laser tag, glow-golf, bowling, pool, darts, or a haunted house
  • Enjoy people watching or a picnic in a city park
  • Try something new like a cooking class, ziplining, jetskiing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, or kayaking
  • Play backyard games such as bocce, croquet, backgammon, volley ball, corn hole, or other fun family activities.
  • Check the local guides for your city and check out the top local attractions

Try to calmly take notice when your thoughts drift back to the past or forward to the future. Try to bring yourself back to and fully immerse yourself in the present moment by focusing on the sight, sounds, smells, taste, or feel of your surroundings.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

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July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: Tiger Day – Animals

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 29, 2023 – Mindfulness & Flow: Animals

Good Morning Yogis! We are near the end of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month.

WWF Tiger Day

Today is International Tiger Day to raise awareness about this endangered species. Please consider supporting conservation efforts through WWF’s Tx2 Initiative. So, today’s summer fun practice will be spending time with animals! I grew up with dogs, and LOVE my two dogs. I have always been an animal lover, and enjoyed studying marine biology as a child. Animals and pets benefit our mental health, so today we will be spending time with animals! Or, perhaps celebrate Tiger Day as we did last year with Vhyagrasana or Tiger Pose!

Check out this month’s Introduction for more on mindfulness, flow, and Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try. We will have 31 different practices and activities to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

Eka Hasta Vyaghrasana - one-handed tiger pose - yoga pose girl wearing platform black high heels and tiger dress, yoga in the forest, sexy yoga girl
Eka Hasta Vyaghrasana – One-Handed Tiger Pose

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: Spending time with animals!

Animals

  • Today’s practice is inspired by Tiger Day so perhaps visit a zoo and learn about animals and conservation efforts!
  • Visit a butterfly garden or aquarium
  • If you have a pet, spend extra time together today or perhaps go on an adventure!
  • If you do not have a pet, consider asking a friend if they would like you to pet sit, or volunteer at a local animal shelter!

Try to calmly take notice when your thoughts drift back to the past or forward to the future. Try to bring yourself back to and fully immerse yourself in the present moment by focusing on the sight, sounds, smells, taste, or feel of your surroundings.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

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For today's practice, we are completing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ For today's practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ We are continuing this morning with our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ We are continuing with our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ For today's practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning High and Low Lunge and modified Sun Salutations with three variations of this Asana. ⁣ For today;s practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning Uttanasana / Standing Forward Bend and modified Sun Salutations with three variations of this Asana. ⁣ We are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning Talasana / Palm Tree Pose and modified Sun Salutations focused on chest opening. Daily Yogis are revisiting Talasana or another arboreal Asana - Vrksasana / Tree Pose. ⁣ Good morning Yogis! We are starting our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are starting with Tadasana / Mountain Pose, and a modified Sun Salutations focused on alignment. Check out our video under Tadasana for options for your hands! See full post for more!⁣ Happy Fall! Today is the Fall Equinox and the start of Libra Season. Today we are discussing Tolasana or Scales Pose for the start of Libra Season! This is a great arm and core workout. See full posts for instructions and variations!⁣

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July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: Waterpark Day – Amusement Parks & Parks

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 28, 2023 – Mindfulness & Flow: Amusement Parks & Parks

Good Morning Yogis! We are near the end of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month.

National Waterpark Day

Today is National Waterpark Day! So, for today’s Summer Fun activity, we will cover one of my favorite adventures – Amusement Parks & Parks!

Check out this month’s Introduction for more on mindfulness, flow, and Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try. We will have 31 different practices and activities to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

cool perspective decordova sculpture garden shot of tile glass and metal abstract sculpture with background of green grass - self care joy Quote: Besides, you don't work for a dollar - you work to create and have fun. - Walt Disney
Besides, you don’t work for a dollar – you work to create and have fun. – Walt Disney

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: Visit an Amusement Park or Park of your choice, or have some other outdoor or adventure fun!

Parks, Amusement Parks & BackYard Fun

  • Today’s practice is inspired by National Waterpark Day, so perhaps visit a water park or amusement park near you!
  • Have outdoor family fun with golf or mini-golf, go-kart racing, berry picking, or a pool
  • Try an indoor adventure with laser tag, glow-golf, bowling, pool, darts, or a haunted house
  • Find a nearby summer carnival, fair, or arts festival
  • Visit a zoo, petting zoo, or aquarium
  • Get some extra education with a musem or a historical theme park
  • Try an escape room!
  • Have a quieter and calmer day enjoying nature at a botanical garden, sculpture garden, national or state park, or any other nearby park or garden!
  • Enjoy people watching or a picnic in a city park
  • Try something new like ziplining, jetskiing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, or kayaking
  • Have a group water gun fight
  • Play backyard games such as bocce, croquet, backgammon, volley ball, corn hole, or other fun family activities.
  • Check the local guides for your city and check out the top local attractions

Try to calmly take notice when your thoughts drift back to the past or forward to the future. Try to bring yourself back to and fully immerse yourself in the present moment by focusing on the sight, sounds, smells, taste, or feel of your surroundings.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

Get the Daily Yogi App – Get quick access to
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Please comment and share your experience with today’s practice. Were you able to find flow or contentment in the now? Always remember, be kind!

              

July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: Riding & Driving

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, Intro Info, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 27, 2023 – Mindfulness & Flow: Riding & Driving

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month. I have heard if we focus on the past we will be depressed, if we focus on the future we will be anxious, and the key to joy is living in the present moment. A couple of the Yamas and Niyamas reflect this secret of happiness hidden in the “now”.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is central to a number of eastern religions and philosophies, and is becoming a common theme in western therapy, psychology, and self-help. We have also focused on mindfulness in some of our past daily practices, especially on past Santosha Days and with some focused meditation practices. Mindfulness and losing oneself in the current moment is my idea of “finding flow” that we most commonly experience during “getting in the zone” during particular athletic, work, and artistic activities. Zen Buddhism takes this concept further with Zen Arts such as Tea Ceremony, Archery, Painting, and Flower Arrangement. So, we will focus this month on trying different practices and activities (including some Zen Arts!) to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

Zen Tea Ceremony

Riding & Driving

Early this month I shared that running is when I first experienced flow, during a team run in high school. I most recently started biking, and experienced this same flow state. Biking is also great cardio! I also enjoy off-roading. If riding is not for you, try a mindful walk, hike, or exercise equipment. Or, go back and try another personal Tea Ceremony today!

cool shot of close up bikes - original work -https://unsplash.com/photos/usufNntkVsw
Bikes

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness / flow Activity: Riding or driving! Make sure to practice mindfulness and try to enjoy each day’s practice with all five senses. If you are new to biking, check out these tips for new bike riders. If you have equipment for off-roading or another sport, try this today .Otherwise, go for a meditative drive. Whichever activity you pick – wear a helmet and/or drive safe!

Try to calmly take notice when your thoughts drift back to the past or forward to the future. Try to bring yourself back to and fully immerse yourself in the present moment by focusing on the sight, sounds, smells, taste, or feel of your surroundings.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

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Please comment and share your experience with today’s practice. Were you able to find flow or contentment in the now? Always remember, be kind!

              

July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: Moon Day – Planetariums & Museums

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 20, 2023 – Mindfulness & Flow: Planetariums & Museums

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month.

Check out this month’s Introduction for more on mindfulness, flow, and Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try. We will have 31 different practices and activities to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

Moon Day

Today is also Moon Day, honoring the 52nd anniversary of the day we landed on the moon! So, for today’s Summer Fun activity, we will cover one of my favorite adventures – Planetariums and Museums!

When we are looking at the moon, we see the purest reflection of our own beauty and magic, which is why we love the moon so much. - Debasish Mridha MD
When we are looking at the moon, we see the purest reflection of our own beauty and magic, which is why we love the moon so much. – Debasish Mridha MD

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: Planetariums or Museums! This is a great activity for fun day of learning and experiencing new things! Planetariums in particular I find are great for helping us realize our place in the universe, and how small our problems are in comparison!

With COVID this may not be the best time to visit an indoor attraction, or they may be closed right now. So, for alternative Moon Day practice, try our practice from year – Ardha Chandrasana or Half Moon Pose. Or perhaps revisit moonlight Stargazing, one of my favorite nighttime activities that we tried last week during a night with no visible moon.

Try to calmly take notice when your thoughts drift back to the past or forward to the future. Try to bring yourself back to and fully immerse yourself in the present moment by focusing on the sight, sounds, smells, taste, or feel of your surroundings.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

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Please comment and share your experience with today’s practice. Were you able to find flow or contentment in the now? Always remember, be kind!

              

July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: Stargazing

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 16, 2023 – Stargazing

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month.

Today is a KISS (Keep it Super Simple) Day with a simple Fun Practice. Today is the new moon and the darkest night of the lunar month. With the darkened moon the stars are brighter in the sky, so it is a perfect day (or night) to talk about one of my favorite nighttime activities – stargazing!

Check out this month’s Introduction for more on mindfulness, flow, and Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try. We will have 31 different practices and activities to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

darkened couple looking up at bright starlit sky - stargazing stars mindfulness Quote: Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them. - Marcus Aurelius original work - https://unsplash.com/photos/0R_JdRQQVqw
Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them. – Marcus Aurelius

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: Stargazing! Today is a KISS simple day, but you can turn a fun and simple outdoor activity into a mindful practice and your own Zen activity. You can make this as simple or as complex as you want, and taking a step back and observing your approach can be a way to learn more about yourself.

Stargazing

You can do this activity any night of the year, but is best around the new moon when there less light from the moon, or for celestial events like meteor showers. If this is new for you, make sure to bundle up or bring a warm thermos if needed – even during the summer, it can get quite cold outside at night! I strongly recommend the Sky Guide App which can help you identify stars and other celestial objects (like satellites) in the sky using your camera, plus identify and learn more about constellations and their mythology. Learn more about mindful stargazing and constellations. If tonight is poor weather to be outside or stargaze, perhaps try a Celestial Visualization Guided Meditation.

Try to calmly take notice when your thoughts drift back to the past or forward to the future. Try to bring yourself back to and fully immerse yourself in the present moment by focusing on the sight, sounds, smells, taste, or feel of your surroundings.

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Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

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Please comment and share your experience with today’s practice. Were you able to find flow or contentment in the now? Always remember, be kind!

              

July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: Geeking out & Embrace Your Geekiness Day

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 13, 2023 – Mindfulness & Flow: Geeking out & Embrace Your Geekiness Day

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month.

Embrace Your Geekiness Day

Today is also Embrace Your Geekness Day. So, today’s fun activity will be geeking out! I would define geeking out as becoming extremely excited about a particular topic to the point of it becoming a pastime, hobby, or subject you research for pleasure. Geeking out is probably one of my favorite pastimes… there’s so much to geek out about, and so many ways to do it! Also, geeking out and mindfulness truly go hand-in-hand, since you often lose yourself in enjoying the subject of your geek love.

Today is a simple Fun Practice. Check out this month’s Introduction for more on mindfulness, flow, and Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try. We will have 31 different practices and activities to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

thin square tree sculpture set in sunlit new england forest with brown ground and sunlight peeking through bright green leaves - passion geek geeky nerdiness enjoyment santosha contentment mindfulness Quote: Being a geek is a great thing. I think we're all geeks. Being a geek means you're passionate about something and that defines your uniqueness. I would rather be passionate about something than be apathetic about everything. - Masi Oka
Being a geek is a great thing. I think we’re all geeks. Being a geek means you’re passionate about something and that defines your uniqueness. I would rather be passionate about something than be apathetic about everything. – Masi Oka

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness / flow Activity: Geeking out! You can geek out on your preferred subject matter if you have one, or perhaps today finally check out a new topic that has always interested you!

What To Geek Out About

Find any subject that inspires passion in you! I define geeking out as becoming extremely excited about a particular topic to the point of it becoming a pastime, hobby, or subject you research for pleasure. There is a huge range of geek-out inspiring topics including books, sports (especially statistics), comic books, video games, card games, movies (Star Wars, Marvel / DC, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Fast & Furious), TV (Game of Thrones, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek, Stranger Things, anime), technology, gadgets, science, yoga, MBTI, astrology, astronomy, etc.

How to Geek Out

There’s so many ways! I actually enjoy research, and will do internet research on topics of interest for hours. If you have been overworked lately, perhaps plan a few hours today to watch or re-watch the geeky media of your choice. If you have a friend with a shared love of your geeky subject, give them a call or plan to meet and catch up on recent offerings or releases. Take your nerdiness up a level and plan to attend a convention.. maybe even a cosplay for a comic, anime, or movie convention! Or, find a new topic and immerse yourself in learning or experiencing your new hobby.. you do not have to be an expert to be a nerd, just passionate!

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

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July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: Poetry & Simplicity Day

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 12, 2023 – Mindfulness & Flow: Poetry & Simplicity Day

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month.

Today is also Simplicity Day, in honor of the Poet and Transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau’s birthday. So, today’s fun activity will be reading and/or writing poetry in honor of Simplicity Day.

I grew up in the suburbs of Boston and have visited Walden Pond, which so inspired much of his work. Thoreau seems to have some Yogi tendencies himself, with his love of nature, isolated journey of self-discovery, and quotes like  “As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.” I believe this simplicity practice ties in with both Santosha/Contentment and Asteya/Non-Stealing. Please see the bottom of this post for one of my favorite Thoreau poems, and links to more!

Today is a simple Fun Practice. Check out this month’s Introduction for more on mindfulness, flow, and Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try. We will have 31 different practices and activities to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

cool shot of shady new england forest with brown ground and sunlight peeking through bright green leaves - mindfulness present moment Quote: You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this. - Henry David Thoreau
You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this. – Henry David Thoreau

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness / flow Activity: Reading or writing poetry!

Writing Poetry

If you are new to writing poetry, you can try a more free form style like Thoreau uses below. You can also try another more structured style like Haiku, Limerick, or Concrete Poem. Or, check out this full intro to poetry writing! I recommend getting outside in nature to find inspiration for your poem’s topic and help with getting in-the-moment..

Reading Poetry

Thoreau has many great poems and quotes that relate to mindfulness and the present moment (including today’s quote). Or check out this collection of poetry on mindfulness.

I Am The Autumnal Sun

I am the autumnal sun,
With autumn gales my race is run;
When will the hazel put forth its flowers,
Or the grape ripen under my bowers?
When will the harvest or the hunter’s moon
Turn my midnight into mid-noon?
I am all sere and yellow,
And to my core mellow.
The mast is dropping within my woods,
The winter is lurking within my moods,
And the rustling of the withered leaf
Is the constant music of my grief….

Sometimes a mortal feels in himself Nature
— not his Father but his Mother stirs
within him, and he becomes immortal with her
immortality. From time to time she claims
kindredship with us, and some globule
from her veins steals up into our own.

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

More Thoreau:

Thoreau-Online.org

Poets.org

PoetryFoundation.org

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

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July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: Mindful Conversation

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 11, 2023 – Mindfulness & Flow: Mindful Conversation

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month.

Today is a simple Fun Practice. Check out this month’s Introduction for more on mindfulness, flow, and Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try. We will have 31 different practices and activities to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

National Cheer Up The Lonely Day

Today is also National Cheer Up The Lonely Day. So, for today’s practice we will focus on mindful conversation. I recommend reaching out to a friend or family member you have not spoken to in a while, or anyone you know going through a difficult or lonely period for today’s mindful conversation!

darkened couple sitting on grassy bank by a calm lake under bright setting sun - mindful conversation quality conversation Quote: One good conversation can shift the direction of change forever. - Linda Lambert original work - https://unsplash.com/photos/aocUkMcxeqI
One good conversation can shift the direction of change forever. – Linda Lambert

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness / flow Activity: Mindful Conversation! Keep in mind that participating in conversation mindfully may be a bit different than you are used to. Check out this great article for mindfulness practices to bring to your conversation, or check out this article for a long list of topics to help prompt meaningful discussion.

Try to calmly take notice when your thoughts drift back to the past or forward to the future. Try to bring yourself back to and fully immerse yourself in the present moment by focusing on the sight, sounds, smells, taste, or feel of your surroundings.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

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For today's practice, we are completing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ For today's practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ We are continuing this morning with our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ We are continuing with our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ For today's practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning High and Low Lunge and modified Sun Salutations with three variations of this Asana. ⁣ For today;s practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning Uttanasana / Standing Forward Bend and modified Sun Salutations with three variations of this Asana. ⁣ We are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning Talasana / Palm Tree Pose and modified Sun Salutations focused on chest opening. Daily Yogis are revisiting Talasana or another arboreal Asana - Vrksasana / Tree Pose. ⁣ Good morning Yogis! We are starting our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are starting with Tadasana / Mountain Pose, and a modified Sun Salutations focused on alignment. Check out our video under Tadasana for options for your hands! See full post for more!⁣ Happy Fall! Today is the Fall Equinox and the start of Libra Season. Today we are discussing Tolasana or Scales Pose for the start of Libra Season! This is a great arm and core workout. See full posts for instructions and variations!⁣

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July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: Picnic

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 9, 2023 – Mindfulness & Flow: Picnic

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month.

Today is a KISS (Keep it Super Simple) Day with a simple Fun Practice. This month is National Picnic Month so today we will try a mindful picnic!

Check out this month’s Introduction for more on mindfulness, flow, and Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try. We will have 31 different practices and activities to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

cute picnic with bread and wine on white blanket in a sunlit grassy field - Picnic - original work -https://unsplash.com/photos/GyE2Iuk3j9g

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: A mindful picnic! Today is a KISS simple day, but you can turn a fun and simple outdoor activity (or really, any meal) into a mindful practice and your own Zen activity. You can make this as simple or as complex as you want, and taking a step back and observing your approach can be a way to learn more about yourself.

Picnics

A picnic is a simple activity. There are three main considerations: Location, Blanket, and Food.

Location

I personally prefer picnics in a grassy city park with lots of people watching. You can also have a picnic in your yard! Beach picnics are a favorite, but make sure to plan your foods around avoiding sand, or find a spot on a bench or boardwalk. Or, load up the car and check out a new spot! Check out 50 Best Picnic Destinations if you need ideas on where to go for your picnic.

I would also say under location to consider what to bring for activities. I recommend a kite for a windy beach, bubbles for a crowded park with lots of other visitors, card games or frisbee for a quiet park, or bring a book or e-reader anywhere!

Blanket

The biggest consideration here will be your location. You may not need a blanket for a bench or table, but I recommend bringing a fun table cloth for both cleanliness and classiness for enjoying a public on public seating. If you are going somewhere with wet grass, I recommend bringing either a waterproof blanket, or a tarp for under your blanket so your blanket (and you) do not get wet!

Food

This is where your mindful practice will come in from start to finish. I love going to a nearby bakery or deli and getting enough to make fresh sandwiches for the picnic. I also prefer fruit and snacks that do not require refrigeration or much clean-up. You can get favorites from a restaurant to-go and enjoy outside. Or, cook your own recipes! Check out this huge list of picnic recipes for ideas. PS it is also National Peach Month and National Blueberry Month, so perhaps celebrate all three in one day with your picnic!

Try to select, prepare, and enjoy your food mindfully. The picnic is not just about the meal, so make sure to find another activity to enjoy outside and fully immerse yourself.

Try to calmly take notice when your thoughts drift back to the past or forward to the future. Try to bring yourself back to and fully immerse yourself in the present moment by focusing on the sight, sounds, smells, taste, or feel of your surroundings.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

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For today's practice, we are completing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ For today's practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ We are continuing this morning with our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ We are continuing with our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ For today's practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning High and Low Lunge and modified Sun Salutations with three variations of this Asana. ⁣ For today;s practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning Uttanasana / Standing Forward Bend and modified Sun Salutations with three variations of this Asana. ⁣ We are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning Talasana / Palm Tree Pose and modified Sun Salutations focused on chest opening. Daily Yogis are revisiting Talasana or another arboreal Asana - Vrksasana / Tree Pose. ⁣ Good morning Yogis! We are starting our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are starting with Tadasana / Mountain Pose, and a modified Sun Salutations focused on alignment. Check out our video under Tadasana for options for your hands! See full post for more!⁣ Happy Fall! Today is the Fall Equinox and the start of Libra Season. Today we are discussing Tolasana or Scales Pose for the start of Libra Season! This is a great arm and core workout. See full posts for instructions and variations!⁣

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July 2023 Summer Fun & Flow: Video Games

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Fun, Holiday, N2-Santosha, Philosophy

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Happy July 8, 2023 – Mindfulness & Flow: Video Games

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month.

Today is a KISS (Keep it Super Simple) Day with a simple Fun Practice. Check out this month’s Introduction for more on mindfulness, flow, and Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try. We will have 31 different practices and activities to at minimum beat boredom for Anti-Boredom Month, and hopefully help you experience a flow state.

Video Games & Mindfulness vs Mindlessness

Today is also National Video Game Day. I was a girl gamer for most of my life, though this hobby has dropped off a bit in recent years. This is a great fun activity we have not covered yet to pass the time, and is a great intro to considering mindfulness vs mindlessness. To simplify, I would say doing something mindlessly is without thought and you are running on auto-pilot, vs doing something mindfully is being fully immersed in the moment. Different types of video games lend themselves to different types of playing… strategy and first-person-shooting games are so fast-paced that they typically put you into a flow-like state easily, putting you into that world. My personal favorites are dance and rhythm games, or active wii games that have a more physical element. Other games are addicting mindless fun like candy crush, my most recent. Either way, video games (and many activities that induce flow-states) can be addicting, so make sure to set a timer before you start!

cool shot of stone path twisting throuhg shady rock garden with orange lillies and bright green leafy plants around moss covered gray rocks - mindfulness mindlessness Quote: Mindless habitual behavior is the enemy of innovation. - Rosabeth Moss Kanter
Mindless habitual behavior is the enemy of innovation. – Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: Video Games! Try to make sure you pick a game that lends itself to mindfulness rather than mindlessness. I am currently into my language learning game, Duolingo. Since I am no longer an active gamer, check out this list of video games for mindfulness.

Try to calmly take notice when your thoughts drift back to the past or forward to the future. Try to bring yourself back to and fully immerse yourself in the present moment by focusing on the sight, sounds, smells, taste, or feel of your surroundings.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

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For today's practice, we are completing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ For today's practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ We are continuing this morning with our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ We are continuing with our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! ⁣ For today's practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning High and Low Lunge and modified Sun Salutations with three variations of this Asana. ⁣ For today;s practice, we are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning Uttanasana / Standing Forward Bend and modified Sun Salutations with three variations of this Asana. ⁣ We are continuing our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are learning Talasana / Palm Tree Pose and modified Sun Salutations focused on chest opening. Daily Yogis are revisiting Talasana or another arboreal Asana - Vrksasana / Tree Pose. ⁣ Good morning Yogis! We are starting our breakdown of each pose in Sun Salutations! New Yogis are starting with Tadasana / Mountain Pose, and a modified Sun Salutations focused on alignment. Check out our video under Tadasana for options for your hands! See full post for more!⁣ Happy Fall! Today is the Fall Equinox and the start of Libra Season. Today we are discussing Tolasana or Scales Pose for the start of Libra Season! This is a great arm and core workout. See full posts for instructions and variations!⁣

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Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

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Please comment and share your experience with today’s practice. Were you able to find flow or contentment in the now? Always remember, be kind!