Today’s Daily Yogi Practice isto make a list of five things (I just love Top 5 Lists!) you are grateful for in your life, right now. Need some ideas? They can be big or small.
You may be grateful for physical things like your health or your long hair or your home or your beautiful garden. You may be grateful for your family or friends or pets. You may be proud of something you accomplished or positive personal traits like humor or loyalty. You may be grateful for past learning experiences or positive changes you see in yourself or the world. Or, these are tough times.. if you are proud for getting out of bed and taking a shower, or putting on pants for your zoom meeting, then celebrate small victories!
This practice is about finding the joy and blessings in the moment. Focus your attention to positivity and abundance already in your life, rather than putting off your happiness for something in the future.
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Please comment to share how this Aparigraha gratitude exercise made you feel, or feel free to share your list! Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Brahmacharya or Moderation Day. I personally need more work-life balance in my life right now, so we are having another KISS (keep it super simple) Day!
BONUS DAILY MEDITATION CHALLENGE
We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for October! For Brahmacharya Day today, my meditation for the day is a Guided Meditation on Balance.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to exercise moderation or take the Middle Path in a way is meaningful for you today for Brahmacharya Day. Need some ideas?
Look for temptations during the day, and neither indulge nor ignore the craving, but instead make a healthy choice. Like maybe a salad instead of fast food, or fruit instead of candy, or yogurt instead of cake or ice cream. Maybe have just a couple pieces of candy instead of NOMMING the whole bag (this one is both inspired by and directed towards me!)
Make today the first day taking steps to minimize an unhealthy lifestyle choice. Perhaps get a nicotine gum or patch to stop smoking, or plan a reasonable cut-back schedule with small goals you can reach rather than the cold-turkey approach.
If you have been super busy with work and family with our current quarantine situation, ask for help and take 15 minutes minimum to spoil yourself with a bath or workout or even a nap, whatever you need!
Take a digital break – plan today to have an evening without phone or social media.
Choose your own way to practice a more balanced lifestyle today that feels right to you.
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Good Morning Yogis! It is Asteya Day! Last time we practiced the positive version of the third of the Yamas – Asteya / non-stealing with an act of generosity, but today we will take it a step further and examine non-stealing.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively practice Asteya/ non-stealing in our lives. Need ideas? This is going to be similar to our Satya practice from yesterday, and we should reflect on areas of our life where we may be acting a bit selfishly or taking advantage of a situation. If you are taking a lot of assistance or time from a particular person but not giving much in return, reflect on that and consider how you can make the situation more fair. Or, examine a situation where you have been taking more than giving, express gratitude, and see how you can make things more balanced and take better care of those who take care of you. Examine areas where you can focus a bit more Asteya, and express that however it feels right to you.
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Please comment and share how you decided to practice Asteya today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! We are continuing on with weaving practice of each of the Yamas into our day. Today is Satya or Truthfulness Day. Last time we practiced the second of the Yamas, with a kind truth, but today we will examine and practice from a different angle.
BONUS DAILY MEDITATION CHALLENGE
We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for October! For Satya Day today, my meditation for the day is a Self-Reflective Guided Meditation that may help you uncover some truths.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Satya / truthfulness with ourselves today. Need ideas? It can be big or small.
This usually means examining mindsets, practices, or people in our life that may not be serving us. For example, maybe you are like me and should really examine eating less candy and more veggies. Or maybe you have other unhealthy practices like smoking, or a medical issue you have been putting off getting examined. Perhaps you have “friends” who cut you down to bring themselves up or consistently take but never offer support.
We usually know deep down what truths we need to accept… perhaps meditate to allow these thoughts to come up. Accepting difficult truths is a big step, and do not push yourself to do anything until you are ready. But, if you decide you are up for it, plan a course of action to resolve what you had been avoiding.
Please comment and share how you decided to practice Satya with yourself today. This can be difficult, but honestly is always the best policy. Always remember, be kind!
We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for October! For Ahimsa day today, my meditation for the day is a Guided Meditation on Non-Violence.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Ahimsa/ non-harming today. Need ideas? It can be big or small. We should strive to exercise non-harming with our thoughts, words and/or actions.
For actions, you can avoid killing a bug you find in the house, and instead use a cup and paper or cardboard to carry outside. Perhaps drive compassionately if you have to drive today. Maybe refrain from letting your temper get the best of you and stay kind throughout a difficult interaction.. this will probably be non-harming in both words and actions. Keep in your mind and try to follow “if you do not have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all.” Or, to practice Ahimsa with our thoughts, try to stay positive today with yourself, and notice and stop yourself from any negative self-talk.
Please comment and share how you decided to practice Ahimsa today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
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Good Morning Yogis! Today is Aparigraha or non-attachment Day. We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for October! For Aparigraha day today, my meditation for the day is a Guided Meditation on non-attachment.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Aparigraha/non-grasping with our actions. Today we will take action without making expectations of a particular outcome. Need some ideas? Sometimes we do nice things for others, hoping for a particular result and we then end up disappointed if the other person does not react how we planned. Try today to not hold expectations for another person’s behavior. Or perhaps set aside a few hours to relax, or enjoy time with loved ones, or just go for a drive without a pre-set agenda, and see where life takes you!
Please comment and share how you decided to practice Aparigraha today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Brahmacharya or moderation Day. We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for October! For Brahmacharya day today, my meditation for the day is a Guided Meditation on Balance.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to exercise moderation in a way that is meaningful for you today for Brahmaharya day. Need some ideas? Here’s what we used for inspiration for our intro Brahmacharya Day!
Today is Amazon Prime Day and a great chance to practice moderation! Perhaps make sure to only purchase things you really need this year, and not get sucked into frivolous purchases because of great deals!
Look for temptations during the day, and neither indulge nor ignore the craving, but instead make a healthy choice. Like maybe a salad instead of fast food, or fruit instead of candy, or yogurt instead of cake or ice cream. Maybe have just a couple pieces of candy instead of NOMMING the whole bag (this one is both inspired by and directed towards me!)
Make today the first day taking steps to minimize an unhealthy lifestyle choice. Perhaps get a nicotine gum or patch to stop smoking, or plan a reasonable cut-back schedule with small goals you can reach rather than the cold-turkey approach.
If you have been super busy with work and family with our current quarantine situation, ask for help and take 15 minutes minimum to spoil yourself with a bath or workout or even a nap, whatever you need!
Choose your own way to practice a more balanced lifestyle today that feels right to you.
Please comment and share how you chose to practice Brahmacharya today! Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Asteya or Non-stealing Day. So, we will be practicing Asteya with the positive of non-stealing or generosity today!
We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for October! For Asteya day today, my meditation for the day is a brief Generosity Guided Meditation.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to practice a random act of generosity for today’s Asteya/non-stealing day. Need some ideas?
Ask someone you care about who is having a tough time if you can help with household chores, or yard work, or anything else to make their lives easier and take something off their plate.
If you have old luggage you no longer use, please consider donating to a foster care agency, since many foster children are forced to move with garbage bags.
Purge toys, books, kitchen gadgets, and/or electronics you no longer use, and consider donating as appropriate to a local organization for the elderly, women and/or children.
Consider making a cash donation to your local food bank, hospital, or another nonprofit or charity that is meaningful to you.
Do a closet clean-out and donate clothes you do not wear any more… or consider starting a wardrobe tracking method to help identify what you do not wear and could donate. PS consider making the extra effort donating directly to local organizations for the homeless, women, or children rather than the easy dropboxes for Goodwill.
Please comment if you would like to share how you practiced Asteya today! Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Satya or Truthfulness Day. Today’s Satya practice is focused on the “benevolent truth” translation of Satya from Sanskrit.
We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for October! For Satya day today, my meditation for the day is a Guided Meditation – Seeing Your True Self about loving yourself and seeing your true potential.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is sharing a kind truth with someone you care about. Let’s make it big today… these are hard times and we could all use a big pick me up! Do not compliment someone about something that changes every day, like their hair or outfit. Need some ideas?
Contact your best friend just to say how much you admire their drive, or loyalty or the ability to always make you laugh.
Tell your significant other how much you appreciate the thing you love most about them.
Call a friend or family member who had a significant positive impact on your life, and let them know how thankful you are.
Message an old colleague or boss who helped you on your path, and thank them for their mentoring.
Reach out to someone you love and/or someone you know could use a pick-me-up.
Please comment if you would like to share how your Satya practice went today! Always remember, be kind!
We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for October! For Ahimsa day today, my meditation for the day is a Loving Kindness Guided Meditation.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a random act of kindness for today’s Ahimsa / Non-Harming Day and International Day of Non-Violence. Need ideas? Here is what we used for inspiration for our intro Ahimsa Day!
Bring home a favorite meal or treat for a loved one.
Be extra friendly driving in the car, giving someone the right of way.
If you can, pay for the order for the person behind you in a drive through. Has that ever happened to you? It happened to my sister, it made her day!
If we are no longer in the days of social distancing or you are in your household, hold the door open for the person behind you, or help someone who is struggling to reach or carry something.
Volunteer.
Give to charity.
Plant a tree.
Whatever feels like the right way for you to actively practice kindness and compassion, or to do your small part to make someone else smile, or make the world better today than it was yesterday.
Please comment and share how you decided to practice Ahimsa today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
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Good morning Yogis! We are restarting our cycle through the Yoga Sutras. Our last few cycles we took one day for all five of each of the Yamas and Niyamas, but this time we will take one day for these Limbs of Yoga. Since we are in the middle of a September Asana Challenge, we are featuring a new Asana that represents each of the Yoga Sutras! Salabhasana (sa-la-BAH-sa-nuh) or Locust Pose is my choice to represent the Yamas, or Interpersonal Ethics – this Limb of Yoga covers how we should interact with the world, and in Locust we are opening our bodies outwards. There are two versions of this pose that I enjoy practicing, and we will cover both variations.
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 favorite longer classes – Beginner Combination (60 Minutes).
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try Locust Pose for Yamas Day! There are many variations of this Asana, ranging from beginner to very advanced. Today we will cover the beginner and intermediate versions of this pose that I commonly practice. Please do not push yourself in these back bends – although these Asanas are great for mitigating lower back pain and strengthening, you can cause injury by pushing beyond your limits. For all variations of Salabhasana / Locust Pose, you will start laying face down on your mat in reverse corpse pose.
Ardha Salabhasana – Half Locust Pose
Ardha Salabhasana – Half Locust
Start laying face down on your mat.
Work both arms under your body and either interlace your fingers, leave palms down, or make fists. Bring your chin to the mat.
Inhale and lift your right leg up as high as possible, keeping both hips even and on the mat. Try to point your foot back as far as possible.
Hold for 3-5 breaths, and slowly lower your leg on an exhale. Repeat with left foot.
Salabhasana – Locust Pose
Salabhasana – Locust
Start laying face down on your mat. Bring your chin to the mat and arms next to your body.
Inhale and lift your head, chest, arms, and legs off the mat as high as possible.
Keep your shoulders down and back, away from your ears. Your arms can be straight back, with palms facing in or out (perhaps try both!). Or, perhaps bring your arms straight in fromt of you for a “Superman” Salabhasana Variation (see below)
Hold for 3-5 breaths, and slowly lower your entire body back to the mat.
PS If you are comfortable with variations of these poses, please tag us with your pictures on Instagram!
Please comment to share your experience! Have you tried both variations of Salabhasana / Locust Pose before? Have you tried a more advanced version? Which is your favorite? Always remember, be kind!
Good morning Yogis! We are beginning our cycle through the Yoga Sutras, and continuing with the last of the Yamas – Aparigraha or non-attachment. Since we are in the middle of a September Asana Challenge, we are featuring a new Asana that represents each of the Yoga Sutras! Standing Hand to Big Toe or Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (OOT-hit-TAH HAH-stah Pa-dahn-goose-THAH-sa-nuh) is my choice to represent Aparigraha, since this is a very challenging balance and full-leg stretch. You will also likely fall over a few times, so enjoy a few laughs working on this Asana! In fact, I usually practice with a variation of this pose, and I occasionally work on the full version but cannot fully straighten my leg. Please see our wonderful featured Yogi @metalynith who is making awesome progress with flexibility and balance in her Yoga practice, and volunteered to model this challenging Asana for me <3!
Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana – Standing Hand to Big Toe Click above for more of @metalynith’s impressive advanced Asanas!
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 – Beginner AM (20 Minute), which includes the beginner version of this pose that I can do! I modify with more advanced versions of poses including full side plank, standard extended side angle, and lowering slowly from plank to Chaturanga Dandasana / Yoga Push-Up… I am still working arm strength to do the Intermediate version of this class!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try some Standing Hand to Foot for Aparigraha Day! This is a challenging pose for for all levels Yogis. Make sure to incorporate Aparigraha, and just practice without expectations, and see how you can progress with this journey pose. Remember – practice not perfection! We will talk about the variations of this pose both with and without the toe hold today! Start in Tadasana – Mountain Pose.
Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana Variation – Standing Hand to Big Toe Variation
Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana Variation
Feet and Legs – Start in Tadasana / Mountain Pose. Claw your toes into the mat slightly to keep your arches from falling into the mat. Perhaps keep a slight bend in the knee, Always make sure you avoid hyper-extending or locking your knees. We will perform with the right leg first – so shift all weight into your left leg. After placing your hands on your hips, inhale and slowly lift your right leg, trying to bring parallel to the ground.
Hips – Make sure your hips are neutral. Err on the side of tucking your tailbone under, rather than sticking your booty out.
Torso – Notice your rib cage in mountain pose. If you notice the bottom of rib cage is sticking out, pull back in and down to correct your posture. Next notice your shoulders. Try to gently roll your shoulders back and down, away from your ears. Notice how this helps your chest open. Make sure you keep your back straight throughout this Asana, and do not let your shoulders or lower back round.
Head and Neck – Check where your ears are compared to your shoulders. Most of us keep our heads slightly forward. If you notice you are doing this, tuck your chin slightly and gently press back to bring your neck and ears into alignment with your shoulders. Gaze ahead at a single unmoving point to help with balance.
Arms – Place your hands on your hips to stay balanced in this pose.
Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana – Standing Hand to Big Toe
Feet and Legs – Start in Tadasana / Mountain Pose. Claw your toes into the mat slightly to keep your arches from falling into the mat. Perhaps keep a slight bend in the knee, Always make sure you avoid hyper-extending or locking your knees. We will perform with the right leg first – so shift all weight into your left leg. After placing your hands on your hips, inhale and slowly bend your right leg and lift your right foot in towards your groin. Grab a hold of your right big toe with your right index and middle fingers. On an exhale, slowly extend your leg forward. It is okay if you cannot get your leg straight – it is better to keep your spine long than have a straight leg.
Hips – Make sure your hips are neutral. Err on the side of tucking your tailbone under, rather than sticking your booty out.
Torso – Notice your rib cage in mountain pose. If you notice the bottom of rib cage is sticking out, pull back in and down to correct your posture. Next notice your shoulders. Try to gently roll your shoulders back and down, away from your ears. Notice how this helps your chest open. Make sure you keep your back straight throughout this Asana, and do not let your shoulders or lower back round. If you notice your back rounding, either bend your knee slightly to straighten your back, or work the beginner version of this Asana above until you can come into parallel to the ground without losing your posture.
Head and Neck – Check where your ears are compared to your shoulders. Most of us keep our heads slightly forward. If you notice you are doing this, tuck your chin slightly and gently press back to bring your neck and ears into alignment with your shoulders. Gaze ahead at a single unmoving point to help with balance.
Arms – Place your left hand on your left hip to help stay balanced in this pose. Keep a hold of your right big toe with your right index and middle fingers, and bend your elbow to deepen the stretch.
To come out of either variation of this pose, first release any toe hold and slowly lower your foot back down to the ground on an exhale. Make sure to repeat this Asana on both sides, and notice any differences in balance and flexibility between sides without judgement!
PS If you are comfortable with variations of these poses, please tag us with your pictures on Instagram!
Please comment to share your experience! Where are you on your journey with this challenging pose? Always remember, be kind!
Since we are in the middle of a September Daily Asana Challenge, we are featuring a new Asana that represents each of the Yoga Sutras! Standing Backbend or Anuvittasana (Ah-NUH-vee-TAH-sa-nuh) is my choice to represent Brahmacharya, since this pose requires moderation – you must gently lean back and avoid straining to avoid injury! This is a great pose for monitoring your yoga journey with Asanas, because you will come further and further into backbends as you increase your flexibility. Moreover, this pose literally translates from Sanskrit as “found” or “obtained” pose. I think further emphasizes the journey aspect of this Asana.
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 – Beginner Flexibility (30 Minute), which includes plenty of Standing Backbends!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try some Standing Backbends for Brahmacharya Day! This is a common opening pose series for all levels Yogis and all styles of Yoga. We will now talk about the standing and supported variations of this pose today! Start in Tadasana – Mountain Pose.
Anuvittasana – Standing Backbend
Anuvittasana – Standing Backbend
Feet – Think of your feet as three primary contact points with the ground. These are the heels, pinky toes, and big toes. Make sure your big toes are touching. If possible, make sure the back of your heels are touching. If you have a lower back injury like I do, you may also find it easier to keep the heels slightly apart. Claw your toes into the mat slightly to keep your arches from falling into the mat.
Legs – Make sure your legs are comfortably straight. Perhaps keep a slight bend in the knee. Always make sure you avoid hyper-extending or locking your knees.
Hips – Make sure your hips are neutral to start. Then on the exhale, tuck your tailbone under and press your hips slightly forward to come into the backbend. As you get more comfortable with this pose, you can press your hips further forward to come into a deeper backbend.
Torso – Notice your rib cage in Tadasana / Mountain Pose. If you notice the bottom of rib cage is sticking out, pull back in and down to correct your posture. Next notice your shoulders. Try to gently roll your shoulders back and down, away from your ears. Notice how this helps your chest open. First inhale your hands into position, and then exhale as you gently press your hips forward and lean your torso back into a comfortable backbend.
Head and Neck – Check where your ears are compared to your shoulders. Most of us keep our heads slightly forward. If you notice you are doing this, tuck your chin slightly and gently press back to bring your neck and ears into alignment with your shoulders. Either close your eyes, or gaze softly ahead.
Arms – On an inhale before exhaling back into this pose, bring your arms over your head next to your ears, keeping your shoulders down and back. You can press your palms together, or keep them slightly separated.
Beginner Yogis may want to come into Salamba Anuvittasana – Supported Standing Backbend as pictured below. Point your fingers down towards the mat and press your palms into your hips or lower back, and make sure your elbows stay pointed straight back to help your chest open.
Finally, to come out of this pose, lead forward and lift with your chest on an inhale to come back into Tadasana / Mountain Pose.
Come into Anuvittasana / Standing Backbend on inhales, and back to Tadasana / Mountain. or all the way forward to Uttanasana / Standing Forward Bend on exhales. Then, repeat a few times. I recommend this series to stretch and warm up the spine and torso at the beginning of Asana practice!
PS If you are comfortable with variations of these poses, please tag us with your pictures on Instagram!
Please comment to share your experience! Have you tried both versions of Standing Backbend before? Always remember, be kind!
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Good morning Yogis! We are continuing our cycle through the Yoga Sutras with the third of the Yamas – Asteya or non-stealing. Since we are in the middle of a September Daily Asana Challenge, we are featuring a new Asana that represents each of the Yoga Sutras! Salamba Sarvangasana (Sah-LAHM-ba Sar-vahn-GAH-sa-nuh) or Supported Shoulder Stand is my choice to represent Asteya since this is a supported balancing pose, and one way to practice Asteya is examining and maintaining balance in our relationships, making sure to support those who support us.
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 Balance (30 Minute), which includes series moving between Salamba Sarvangasana / Supported Shoulder Stand and Halasana / Plow Pose!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try Salamba Sarvangasana / Supported Shoulder Stand for Asteya Day! This is a challenging inversion. If you are a new yogi, only come up as high as you are comfortable! We will start from corpse, and use the core to lift into this Asana
Salamba Sarvangasana – Supported Shoulder Stand
Salamba Sarvangasana – Supported Shoulder Stand
Feet and Legs – Start in Shavasana / Corpse pose, with knees bent. As you press palms into the mat, use your core to lift your legs as close to perpendicular to the floor as you are comfortable. This is one of the few Asanas where it is best to keep your toes pointed, for balance. Keep your legs supported with your arms, perhaps just stay in Ardha Sarvangasana / Half Shoulder Stand (image below) until you build balance and core strength to bring your legs and torso closer to a straight line.
Torso and Head – You will lift your torso from the floor to come into this inversion. Allow your chin to come to your chest. Make sure you do not turn your head or neck to either side in this or any inversion to avoid injury.
Arms – Start in Shavasana / Corpse pose, with knees bent and palms resting on the floor next to your hips. To come into the pose, press your hands firmly into the mat for leverage to lift your legs and torso off the floor. Once you are able, turn your fingers in and grab your hips, using your hands and arms to support your lower body in this inversion.
To come out of this pose, lower your hips and legs over your head into Ardha Sarvangasana as pictured below, release your hands to the mat, and slowly unroll your body down to the mat into Shavasana / Corpse Pose.
Ardha Sarvangasana – Half Shoulder Stand
PS If you are comfortable with variations of this pose, please tag us with your pictures on Instagram!
Please comment to share your experience! Have you tried either version of Sarvangasana / Shoulder Stand before? Always remember, be kind!
Good morning Yogis! We are continuing our cycle through the Yoga Sutras with the second of the Yamas – Satya or truthfulness. Since we are in the middle of a September Daily Asana Challenge, we are featuring a new Asana that represents each of the Yoga Sutras! Parighasana (Pah-ree-GAH-sa-nuh) or Gate pose is my choice to represent Satya, since one of my favorite quotes about truth is the Sufi Three Gate Saying below!
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 – Beginner Flexibility (30 Minute), which includes a gate series!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try Parighasana / Gate Pose for Satya Day! This is one of the few Asanas / poses that intentionally works a turned – out leg. We will talk about how to get into this pose from a kneeling position today! Start in a comfortable kneeling position.
Parighasana – Gate Pose
Parighasana – Gate
Feet & Legs – Start by kneeling, sitting on your feet. Lift your seat and come up onto your knees, keeping your legs about hip-distance apart. We will start on the right – extend your right leg to the right, turning your leg out, and laying your right foot flat on the ground. Try to keep your standing knee and foot in a line
Hips – Make sure your hips are neutral. Err on the side of tucking your tailbone under, rather than sticking your booty out.
Torso – Notice your rib cage. If you notice the bottom of rib cage is sticking out, pull back in and down to correct your posture. Next notice your shoulders. Try to gently roll your shoulders back and down, away from your ears. Notice how this helps your chest open. On the exhale, you will move your torso right towards your right leg, as far as is comfortable. If you are a new Yogi, you may want to just keep your torso fairly upright, rather than allowing your shoulders or hips to come out of alignment.
Arms – Put your right hand on your right hip. Inhale your left arm straight up next to your ear. Exhale and extend your left arm to the right as you lean your torso to the right. Allow your right hand to slide down your right thigh.
Head and Neck – Check where your ears are compared to your shoulders. Most of us keep our heads slightly forward. If you notice you are doing this, tuck your chin slightly and gently press back to bring your neck and ears into alignment with your shoulders. If it’s comfortable, as you lean to the right, turn your head and gaze down at your right leg.
To come out of this pose, inhale your left arm and torso back up, and sit back down on your feet in a kneeling position. Make sure to repeat this Asana on both sides!
PS If you are comfortable with variations of this pose, please tag us with your pictures on Instagram!
Please comment to share your experience! Have you tried Parighasana / Gate Pose before? Always remember, be kind!
Good morning Yogis! We are beginning our cycle through the Yoga Sutras, and starting with the first of the Yamas – Ahimsa or non-harming. Since we are in the middle of a September Asana Challenge, I thought it would be fun to feature a new Asana that represents each of the Yoga Sutras! Cat / Cow or Marjaryasana (Mahr-jar-ee-AH-sa-nuh) / Bitilasana (Bih-Ti-LA-sa-nuh) is my choice to represent Ahimsa, since this series is a great opening series to help avoid injury, by gently opening and warming up the back at the beginning Asana practice!
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 – Beginner Combination (30 Minute), which includes a cat/cow opening!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try some Cat/Cows for Ahimsa Day! This is a common opening pose series for all levels Yogis and all styles of Yoga. We will talk about how to get into both variations from Table Top or Bharmanasana today! Start in Table Top – with hands directly under shoulders, and knees directly under hips.
Table Top – Bharmanasana Click image above for our Yoga Ab Workout!
Marjaryasana – Cat Pose
Marjaryasana – Cat
Feet & Legs – Start in Bharmanasana / Table Top or Bitilasana / Cow, with tops of feet laying on the mat. Your legs should stay hip-distance apart in table top. You will keep both knees and feet grounded on the mat in table top through both Asanas / poses!
Hips – Turn your tailbone under and bring your hips forward on an exhale to come into Marjaryasana / Cat from Bharmanasana / Table Top or Bitilasana / Cow.
Torso – On the exhale, you will curl your spine and get as much of a rounding in your back as possible in this pose.
Arms – On the exhale, press your palms into the mat as you curve your back, pressing the mat away from you.
Head and Neck – Curl your head and neck under in line with the rest of your spine, and gaze back at your thighs.
Bitilasana – Cow Pose
Bitilasana – Cow
Feet and Legs – Start in Bharmanasana / Table Top or Marjaryasana / Cat, with tops of feet laying on the mat. Your legs should stay hip distance apart in table top. You will keep both knees and feet grounded on the mat in table top through both Asanas / poses!
Hips – Turn your tailbone up and stick your booty out on the inhale to come into Bitilasana / Cow from Bharmanasana / Table Top or Marjaryasana / Cat.
Torso – On the inhale, you will drop your belly and get as much of a chest opener and curve in the back as comfortable.
Arms – On the inhale, pull back on the mat with your hands to pull your torso forward for more of a chest opening.
Head and Neck – Pull head and neck up and forward from Bharmanasana / Table Top or Marjaryasana / Cat, gazing straight ahead.
Come into Bitilasana / Cow on inhales, and Marjaryasana / Cat on exhales. Repeat a few times. I recommend this series to stretch and warm up the spine and torso at the beginning of Asana practice!
PS If you are comfortable with variations of these poses, please tag us with your pictures on Instagram!
Please comment to share your experience! Have you tried Cat / Cow before? Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! We pausing our journey through the Sutras for Labor Day Holiday Weekend. Today we are having a bonus Asteya or Non-stealing Day to participate in International Day of Charity, which began in honor of Mother Theresa. So, we will be practicing Asteya with the positive of non-stealing or generosity today!
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 – Beginner AM (20 Minute), which I modify with more advanced versions of poses including full side plank, standard extended side angle, and lowering slowly from plank to Chaturanga Dandasana / Yoga Push-Up… I am still working arm strength to do the Intermediate version of this class. I typically practice Asana most consistently in the morning, and this is my favorite morning series!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to participate in International Charity Day for today’s Asteya/non-stealing day. Need some ideas?
Consider making a cash donation to your local food bank, hospital, or another nonprofit or charity that is meaningful to you.
Ask someone you care about who is having a tough time if you can help with household chores, or yard work, or anything else to make their lives easier and take something off their plate.
Purge toys, books, kitchen gadgets, and/or electronics you no longer use, and consider donating as appropriate to a local organization for the elderly, women and/or children.
If you have old luggage you no longer use, please consider donating to a foster care agency, since many foster children are forced to move with garbage bags.
Double up on some Saucha with a closet clean-out and donate clothes you do not wear any more… or consider starting a wardrobe tracking method to help identify what you do not wear and could donate. PS consider making the extra effort donating directly to local organizations for the homeless, women, or children rather than the easy dropboxes for Goodwill.
Please comment and share how you practiced Asteya and/or participated in International Charity Day today! Always remember, be kind!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to practice Aparigraha/ non-grasping with our actions. Today we will take action without making expectations of a particular outcome. Need some ideas? Sometimes we do nice things for others, hoping for a particular result and we then end up disappointed if the other person does not react how we planned. Try today to not hold expectations for another person’s behavior. Or perhaps set aside a few hours to relax, or enjoy time with loved ones, or just go for a drive without a pre-set agenda, and see where life takes you!
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Please comment and share how you decided to practice Aparigraha today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! We are continuing on with weaving practice of each of the Yamas into our day. Last time we practiced the fourth of the Yamas – Brahmacharya / Moderation with choosing the middle path in any area of our lives. Today we will be more specific with our moderation .. this is one of my favorite Brahmacharya practices, and I am super thrilled this one lands on a weekend for our intro challenges 🙂
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to practice Brahmacharya / Moderation with our electronics and social media. Perhaps try an Unplugged Weekend with no electronics! Social media may be a useful tool to keep in touch with friends and family, especially in this isolating time. However, social media does not make us happy, and it can also distance us from the people we are spending time with. Many of us spend WAY too much time on our phones. It is the weekend, so many of us are off of work today. If you can, practice Brahmacharya with your phone and especially with social media, and enjoy your time with your loved ones this weekend. Perhaps encourage the entire household to spend a few hours “off the grid.”
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Please comment if you decided to practice Brahmacharya / Moderation today with your phones and social media, how did it go? How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively practice Asteya/ non-stealing. Need ideas? This is going to be similar to our Satya practice from yesterday, and we should reflect on areas of our life where we may be acting a bit selfishly or taking advantage of a situation. If you are taking a lot of assistance or time from a particular person but not giving much in return, reflect on that and consider how you can make the situation more fair. Or, examine a situation where you have been taking more than giving, express gratitude, and see how you can make things more balanced and take better care of those who take care of you. Examine areas where you can focus a bit more Asteya, and express that however it feels right to you.
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Please comment and share how you decided to practice Asteya today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Satya or Truthfulness Day! We are staying synced up with our 30 Day Challenge group. We are continuing on with weaving practice of each of the Yamas into our day. Last time we practiced the second of the Yamas with a kind truth, but today we will examine and practice from a different angle.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Satya / truthfulness with ourselves today. Need ideas? It can be big or small.
This usually means examining mindsets, practices, or people in our life that may not be serving us. For example, maybe you are like me and should really examine eating less candy and more veggies. Or maybe you have other unhealthy practices like smoking, or a medical issue you have been putting off getting examined. Perhaps you have “friends” who cut you down to bring themselves up or consistently take but never offer support.
We usually know deep down what truths we need to accept… perhaps meditate to allow these thoughts to come up. Accepting difficult truths is a big step, and do not push yourself to do anything until you are ready. But, if you decide you are up for it, plan a course of action to resolve what you had been avoiding.
Please comment and share how you decided to practice Satya with yourself today. This can be difficult, but honestly is always the best policy. Always remember, be kind!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Ahimsa/ non-harming today. Need ideas? It can be big or small. We should strive to exercise non-harming with our thoughts, words and/or actions.
For actions, you can avoid killing a bug you find in the house, and instead use a cup and paper or cardboard to carry outside. Perhaps drive compassionately if you have to drive today. Maybe refrain from letting your temper get the best of you and stay kind throughout a difficult interaction.. this will probably be non-harming in both words and actions. Keep in your mind and try to follow “if you do not have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all.” Or, to practice Ahimsa with our thoughts, try to stay positive today with yourself, and notice and stop yourself from any negative self-talk.
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Please comment and share how you decided to practice Ahimsa today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Aparigraha or non-attachment Day. We will continue our series from last time, and both learn and try out an Aparigraha mind trick to help practice mental non-attachment. I call this method “removing should-ing” and I learned it years ago in a life-changing book: The Myth of Stress. I know reading an entire book is too much for a single day practice, but thankfully the author put the “meat and potatoes” of his method online!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to practice non-attachment by trying the ActivInsight method today to flip your mind about a stressful situation for Aparigraha day.
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Brahmacharya or Moderation Day. I personally need more work-life balance in my life right now, so we are having another KISS (keep it super simple) Day!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to exercise moderation or take the Middle Path in a way that is meaningful for you today for Brahmaharya Day. Need some ideas?
Look for temptations during the day, and neither indulge nor ignore the craving, but instead make a healthy choice. Like maybe a salad instead of fast food, or fruit instead of candy, or yogurt instead of cake or ice cream. Maybe have just a couple pieces of candy instead of NOMMING the whole bag (this one is both inspired by and directed towards me!)
Make today the first day taking steps to minimize an unhealthy lifestyle choice. Perhaps get a nicotine gum or patch to stop smoking, or plan a reasonable cut-back schedule with small goals you can reach rather than the cold-turkey approach.
If you have been super busy with work and family with our current quarantine situation, ask for help and take 15 minutes minimum to spoil yourself with a bath or workout or even a nap, whatever you need!
Take a digital break – plan today to have an evening without phone or social media.
Choose your own way to practice a more balanced lifestyle today that feels right to you.
Get the Daily Yogi App – Get quick access to today’s practice and daily pop-up reminders!
Please comment and share how you chose to practice Brahmacharya today! Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Asteya or Non-stealing Day. So, we will be practicing Asteya with the positive of non-stealing or generosity today!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to practice a random act of generosity for today’s Asteya/non-stealing day. Need some ideas?
Ask someone you care about who is having a tough time if you can help with household chores, or yard work, or anything else to make their lives easier and take something off their plate.
If you have old luggage you no longer use, please consider donating to a foster care agency, since many foster children are forced to move with garbage bags.
Purge toys, books, kitchen gadgets, and/or electronics you no longer use, and consider donating as appropriate to a local organization for the elderly, women and/or children.
Consider making a cash donation to your local food bank, hospital, or another nonprofit or charity that is meaningful to you.
Do a closet clean-out and donate clothes you do not wear any more… or consider starting a wardrobe tracking method to help identify what you do not wear and could donate. PS consider making the extra effort donating directly to local organizations for the homeless, women, or children rather than the easy dropboxes for Goodwill.
Please comment if you would like to share how you practiced Asteya today! Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Satya or Truthfulness Day. We are staying synced up with our 30 day Challenge group. We will have a KISS Day today, focusing on the “benevolent truth” translation of Satya from Sanskrit.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is sharing a kind truth with someone you care about. Let’s make it big today… these are hard times and we could all use a big pick me up! Do not compliment someone about something that changes every day, like their hair or outfit. Need some ideas?
Contact your best friend just to say how much you admire their drive, or loyalty or the ability to always make you laugh.
Tell your significant other how much you appreciate the thing you love most about them.
Call a friend or family member who had a significant positive impact on your life, and let them know how thankful you are.
Message an old colleague or boss who helped you on your path, and thank them for their mentoring.
Reach out to someone you love and/or someone you know could use a pick-me-up.
Please comment if you would like to share how your Satya practice went today! Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! We are restarting the Limbs of Yoga for our daily positive practices with Ahimsa or non-harming. We also have a 30 Day Challenge starting positive practices today, and we will stay linked up with the challenge group most of the month. Today we will focus on the positive opposite of non-harming, or kindness for our practice today.
Today is another KISS Day! I learned the KISS Method acronym in the business world as “keep it simple, stupid.” But that is kind of rude, so my KISS Days acronym is “Keep It Super Simple” We will have a few KISS Days this month as we are synced up with the Challenge group.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a random act of kindness for today’s Ahimsa/non-harming day. Need ideas?
Bring home a favorite meal or treat for a loved one.
Be extra friendly driving in the car, giving someone the right of way.
If you can, pay for the order for the person behind you in a drive through. Has that ever happened to you? It happened to my sister, it made her day!
If we are no longer in the days of social distancing or you are in your household, hold the door open for the person behind you, or help someone who is struggling to reach or carry something.
Volunteer.
Give to charity.
Plant a tree.
Whatever feels like the right way for you to actively practice kindness and compassion, or to do your small part to make someone else smile, or make the world better today than it was yesterday.
Please comment and share how you decided to practice Ahimsa today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Good morning Yogis! We are going to wait to start our cycle though the Limbs of Yoga for the next couple days, to sync up with our 30 Day Challenge 8/1 start group.
Today is the International Day of Friendship, so we will honor that day. PS extra thanks to my best friends who are in the middle of completing my Daily Yogi 30 Day Challenge <3
Today we will have a KISS (keep it super simple day) Yamas Practice Day!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to choose one of the Yamas to celebrate today’s International Day of Friendship. Perhaps choose Ahimsa and celebrate a friend with a random act of kindness. Maybe go for Satya and share a kind truth. Or find a particularly gracious friend and exercise Asteya, and take care of someone who takes care of you.
Please comment if you would like to share your Yamas practice for today! Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Aparigraha or non-attachment Day. We are going to take a closer look at Aparigraha/non-attachment by examining the attachment we are supposed to be avoiding.
Non-attachment is a common Eastern philosophical concept and practice. This is a part of Zen/Buddhism, Jainism, and Taoism. This is not a very common concept in the Western world, so we will learn a bit more about it by trying to understand attachment today.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to observe your own attachment with situations that cause stress for Aparigraha day. I usually can do this by identifying a “should” or “should not” statement. One of my more common “shoulds” was “I shouldn’t be late right now” whenever I got stuck in traffic when driving to work. I was attached to being on time. Often anxiety about the future or regret about the past is tied to feelings attachment. I have a mental mind trick to trigger the practice of non-attachment for these situations that I will share with you on our next Aparigraha day. But for now, just try to observe your own attachment to situations today.
If you are up for it… after the situation has passed, evaluate the results of your attachment responses. Consider whether stressing about the future or regretting the past helps or hurts your efficacy, efficiency, and your peace of mind.
PS This may be a good time for journal entries for some bonus Svadhyaha!
Please comment and share your experience with observing your own attachment for Aparigraha Day! Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Brahmacharya or moderation Day. I personally need a bit more work-life balance in my life right now, so we are having another KISS (keep it super simple) Day!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to exercise moderation in a way is meaningful for you today for Brahmaharya day. Need some ideas? Here’s what we used for inspiration for our intro Brahmacharya Day!
Look for temptations during the day, and neither indulge nor ignore the craving, but instead make a healthy choice. Like maybe a salad instead of fast food, or fruit instead of candy, or yogurt instead of cake or ice cream. Maybe have just a couple pieces of candy instead of NOMMING the whole bag (this one is both inspired by and directed towards me!)
Make today the first day taking steps to minimize an unhealthy lifestyle choice. Perhaps get a nicotine gum or patch to stop smoking, or plan a reasonable cut-back schedule with small goals you can reach rather than the cold-turkey approach.
If you have been super busy with work and family with our current quarantine situation, ask for help and take 15 minutes minimum to spoil yourself with a bath or workout or even a nap, whatever you need!
Choose your own way to practice a more balanced lifestyle today that feels right to you.
Please comment and share how you chose to practice Brahmacharya today! Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Asteya or Non-stealing Day.
It is also National Give Something Away Day. So, we will be practicing Asteya with the positive of non-stealing or generosity today!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to participate in National Give Something Away Day for today’s Asteya/non-stealing day. Need some ideas?
If you have old luggage you no longer use, please consider donating to a foster care agency, since many foster children are forced to move with garbage bags.
Purge toys, books, kitchen gadgets, and/or electronics you no longer use, and consider donating as appropriate to a local organization for the elderly, women and/or children.
Consider making a cash donation to your local food bank, hospital, or another nonprofit or charity that is meaningful to you.
Do a closet clean-out and donate clothes you do not wear any more… or consider starting a wardrobe tracking method to help identify what you do not wear and could donate. PS consider making the extra effort donating directly to local organizations for the homeless, women, or children rather than the easy dropboxes for Goodwill.
Please comment and share how you practiced Asteya and/or participated in Give Something Away Day today! Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! Today is Satya or Truthfulness Day.
I recently heard a Sufi saying that made me reflect on Satya:
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try to apply the “Three Gate Rule” for your speech for today’s Satya/truthfulness day. For those of you who cannot see the graphic above – “Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates. At the first gate, ask yourself ‘is it true?’ At the second gate, ask ‘is it necessary?’ At the third gate, ask ‘is it kind?’ “
Please comment and share how your Satya practice went today! Always remember, be kind!
PPS I got a report that one of our Yogis reads our daily practice first thing in the morning before getting out bed, rather than scrolling through social media.. which made me super happy <3!!! So, we are moving our AM posts up another couple of hours for my East Coast Yogis who may want access earlier in the morning. Don’t worry, app notifications and email updates will still be delivered at 10am ET / 7am PT, but our morning posts will be available on dailyyogi.world and in the app at 6am ET.
Good Morning Yogis! We are restarting the limbs of yoga for our daily positive practices with Ahimsa or non-harming. We will focus on the positive of non-harming, or kindness for our practice today.
Today is also our first KISS Day! I learned the KISS Method acronym in the business world as “keep it simple, stupid.” But that is kind of rude, so my KISS Days acronym is “Keep It Super Simple” 🙂
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a random act of kindness for today’s Ahimsa/non-harming day. Need ideas? Here’s what we used for inspiration for our intro Ahimsa Day!
Bring home a favorite meal or treat for a loved one.
Be extra friendly driving in the car, giving someone the right of way.
If you can, pay for the order for the person behind you in a drive through. Has that ever happened to you? It happened to my sister, it made her day!
If we are no longer in the days of social distancing or you are in your household, hold the door open for the person behind you, or help someone who is struggling to reach or carry something.
Volunteer.
Give to charity.
Plant a tree.
Whatever feels like the right way for you to actively practice kindness and compassion, or to do your small part to make someone else smile, or make the world better today than it was yesterday.
Please comment and share how you decided to practice Ahimsa today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! We are continuing on with weaving practice of each of the Yamas into our day. Last time we practiced the opposite of the last of the YamasAparigraha/non-attachment by practicing gratitude, but today we will take it a step further.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Aparigraha/non-grasping with our actions. Today we will take action without making expectations of a particular outcome. Need some ideas? Sometimes we do nice things for others, hoping for a particular result and we then end up disappointed if the other person does not react how we planned. Try today to not hold expectations for another person’s behavior. Or perhaps set aside a few hours to relax, or enjoy time with loved ones, or just go for a drive without a pre-set agenda, and see where life takes you!
Please comment and share how you decided to practice Aparigraga today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! We are continuing on with weaving practice of each of the Yamas into our day. Last time we practiced the fourth of the Yamas Brahmacharya/Moderation with choosing the middle path in any area of our lives. Today we will be more specific.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Brahmacharya/Moderation with our electronics and social media. Social media may be a useful tool to keep in touch with friends and family, especially in this isolating time. However, social media does not make us happy, and it can also distance us from the people we are spending time with. Many of us spend WAY too much time on our phones. It is the weekend, so many of us are off of work today. If you can, practice Brahmacharya with your phone and especially with social media, and enjoy your time with your loved ones this weekend. Perhaps encourage the entire household to spend a few hours “off the grid.”
Please comment if you decided to practice Brahmacharya/Moderation today with your phones and social media, how did it go? How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! We are continuing on with weaving practice of each of the Yamas into our day. Last time we practiced the positive version of the third of the Yamas Asteya/non-stealing with an act of generosity, but today we will take it a step further and examine non-stealing.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Asteya/non-stealing. Need ideas? This is going to be similar to our Satya practice from yesterday, and we should reflect on areas of our life where we may be acting a bit selfishly or taking advantage of a situation. If you are taking a lot of assistance or time from a particular person but not giving much in return, reflect on that and consider how you can make the situation more fair. Or, examine a situation where you have been taking more than giving, express gratitude, and see how you can make things more balanced and take better care of those who take care of you. Examine areas where you can focus a bit more Asteya, and express that however it feels right to you.
Please comment and share how you decided to practice Asteya today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! We are continuing on with weaving practice of each of the Yamas into our day. Last time we practiced the second of the Yamas, Satya/Truthfulness with a kind truth, but today we will examine and practice from a different angle.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Satya/truthfulness with ourselves today. Need ideas? It can be big or small. This usually means examining mindsets, practices, or people in our life that may not be serving us. For example, maybe you are like me and should really examine eating less candy and more veggies. Or maybe you have other unhealthy practices like smoking, or a medical issue you have been putting off getting examined. Perhaps you have “friends” who cut you down to bring themselves up or consistently take but never offer support. We usually know deep down what truths we need to accept… perhaps meditate to allow these thoughts to come up. Accepting difficult truths is a big step, and do not push yourself to do anything until you are ready. But, if you decide you are up for it, plan a course of action to resolve what you had been avoiding.
Please comment and share how you decided to practice Satya with yourself today. This can be difficult, but honestly is always the best policy. Always remember, be kind!
Good Morning Yogis! I started Daily Yogi with flash cards of the Yamas and Niyamas in my day planner. Now, after deep dives introducing the 8 Limbs of Yoga and each of the Asanas / Poses in Surya Namaskar / Sun Salutations, we are back to my flash card days. Last time we practiced the opposite of the first of the Yamas, Ahimsa / non-harming with a random act of kindness, but today we will take it a step further.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Ahimsa or non-harming today. Need ideas? It can be big or small. We should strive to exercise non-harming with our thoughts, words and/or actions.
For actions, you can avoid killing a bug you find in the house, and instead use a cup and paper or cardboard to carry outside. Perhaps drive compassionately if you have to drive today. Maybe refrain from letting your temper get the best of you and stay kind throughout a difficult interaction.. this will probably be non-harming in both words and actions. Keep in your mind and try to follow “if you do not have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all.” Or, to practice Ahimsa with our thoughts, try to stay positive today with yourself, and notice and stop yourself from any negative self-talk.
Please comment and share how you decided to practice Ahimsa today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!
Aparigraha (ah-PA-ree-GRA-ha) is “non-grasping on all sides” in a direct translation from Sanskrit. It is frequently translated as non-attachment or non-possessiveness.
This is an interesting topic for us in the Western World. We live in a very capitalist society, where most of us are constantly working and pushing for the next cool gadget, promotion, or life milestone. Aparigraha is about both not attaching ourselves to a particular outcome, and also gratitude and enjoying the present moment. If we are focused on the next thing in the future, we often miss out on what is right in front of us. This does not mean we should not put forth our best efforts or pursue things that make us happy, but the key is to focus on the present and actually experience and appreciate each moment.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice isto make a list of 5 things you are grateful for in your life, right now. Need some ideas? They can be big or small. You may be grateful for physical things like your health or your long hair or your home or your beautiful garden. You may be grateful for your family or friends or pets. You may be proud of something you accomplished or positive personal traits like humor or loyalty. You may be grateful for past learning experiences or positive changes you see in yourself or the world. Or, these are tough times.. if you are proud for getting out of bed or taking a shower, or putting on pants for your zoom meeting, then celebrate small victories! This practice is about finding the joy and blessings in the moment. Focus your attention to positivity and abundance already in your life, rather than putting off your happiness for something in the future.
Please comment to share how this exercise made you feel, or feel free to share your list! Always remember, be kind!
Brahmacharya (BRA-ma-KA-ree-ya) literally means “on the path of God” in a direct translation from Sanskrit. It is often translated to English as celibacy or continence. I prefer the slightly less literal translation of Godlike, because it reminds me of a song by a German band, but I believe Brahmacharya’s true meaning to be “moderation.” What comes up for you from these various translations?
I took a course on Japanese Religions as part of my incomplete Japanese minor in college, and this particular practice reminds me of the middle path in Buddhism. What does this mean? Without getting too far into Buddhist philosophy (maybe later.. Buddhist and Yoga philosophy are very similar in some areas), the Middle Path of Moderation is a central tenet of Buddhism and major part of the Buddha’s journey to enlightenment. In this part of the story, he examines his experiences with a hedonistic life of luxury as a prince, and a minimalist austere life of a monk with extended fasting. He realizes neither of these lifestyles is healthy or sustainable for a long time, and a Middle Path of eating a healthy and well balanced diet is more ideal than either extreme.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is making a conscious choice of living in moderation or taking the middle path. Need some ideas? It can be big or small. Look for temptations during the day, and neither indulge nor ignore the craving, but instead make a healthy choice. Like maybe a salad instead of fast food, or fruit instead of candy, or yogurt instead of cake or ice cream. Maybe have just a couple pieces of candy instead of NOMMING the whole bag. Can you tell I LOVE candy 🙂 Or maybe make today the first day taking steps to minimize an unhealthy lifestyle choice. Perhaps get a nicotine gum or patch to stop smoking, or plan a reasonable cut-back schedule with small goals you can reach rather than the cold-turkey approach. If you have been super busy with work and family with our current quarantine situation, ask for help and take 15 minutes minimum to spoil yourself with a bath or workout or even a nap, whatever you need! Or, choose your own way to practice a more balanced lifestyle today that feels right to you.
Please comment to share your experience if you tried one of our suggestions, or one of your own! Always remember, be kind!
Asteya (Ah-STAY-ya) translates to English as Non-Stealing, and is another universal moral and reflection of the golden rule. Asteya of course means literally not stealing possessions, but it also means not stealing or being selfish with the time, energy, and ideas of others. The positive opposite behavior of stealing that we want to encourage is generosity. There is a balance between giving and receiving.. one should not allow oneself to be taken advantage of, along with not taking advantage of others.
Asteya can be a deep philosophical consideration for yourself, examining situations where you may be acting a bit selfishly or taking advantage because you can. However, I hate to keep saying it.. but we are in difficult times and many are struggling right now. So, let’s focus on bringing more positivity to the world.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a random act of generosity. Need some ideas? It can be big or small. If you can, make a donation to a food bank, or charity to help those in need, since many people are out of work and struggling to feed their families. If you are short on cash, ask someone you care about who is having a tough time if you can help with household chores, or yard work, or anything else to make their lives easier and take something off their plate. Go through the pantry, or old clothes, or the garage, and donate to someone you care about or a charitable organization. Whatever feels like the right way for you to practice being generous and sharing with others.
Please comment to share your experience if you tried one of our suggestions, or let us know about one of your own! Always remember, be kind!
As you will notice, much of the Yamas, or Interpersonal Ethics, are based fairly universally agreed upon morals and the Golden Rule. This iteration means being truthful to others and with yourself, in thoughts, words, and actions.
It is important to note that the literal translation of Satya (SAHT-yah) is truth, but it is often translated as Benevolent Truthfulness. This means it is usually better to keep a hurtful truth to oneself. If you determine it is necessary to share a hurtful truth, make sure to do so as gently and compassionately as possible. On a deeper level, Satya is about more than just not telling lies, but about seeing the reality of situations, others, and ourselves.
I think with the current COVID health and economic situations, as well as current events and news recently, we are all suffering with an abundance of hurtful truths (and untruths) in the world. We all can use more benevolent truths.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is sharing a kind truth with someone you care about. Need some ideas? Let’s make it big today… these are hard times and we could all use a big pick me up! Do not compliment someone about something that changes every day, like their hair or outfit. Contact your best friend just to say how much you admire their drive, or loyalty or the ability to always make you laugh. Tell your significant other how much you appreciate the thing you love most about them. Call a friend or family member who had a significant positive impact on your life, and let them know how thankful you are. Message an old colleague or boss who helped you on your path, and thank them for their mentoring. Reach out to someone you love and/or someone you know could use a pick-me-up.
Please share your story if you helped someone you care about have a better day, whether you tried one of our suggestions, or one of your own! Always remember, be kind!
Welcome New Yogis! If you are in a 30 Day Challenge, you may want to check the challenge welcome page and shortcut page, and get free printable calendars and checklists!
Happy June Yogis! I feel it is auspicious to start this Daily Yogi journey on the first of the month!
Many of the translations from Sanskrit to English for the Yamas (YAH-mas), or Interpersonal Ethics, are things you should NOT do. I consider many of the Yamas to be different embodiments of The Golden Rule – “do unto others as you would want done to you.” Of course we aim to not do the negative thing, but on the flip side we also should try to embody the positive opposite.
Ahimsa (Ah-HIM-sa) literally translates to English as “to not harm”, and is often translated as compassion or non-violence. I believe Ahimsa is all about positivity and doing the right thing. To practice Ahimsa, we try to avoid harming others physically or with speech/thoughts, and to practice kindness and compassion. This means nurturing positive actions, words, and thoughts.
Please note that perfect adherence to many yoga principles is not possible for most normal people. Technically, non-harming is impossible for many professions such as farmers harvesting crops or raising livestock, and physicians who may have bad outcomes despite the best training, efforts, and intentions. No one should give up a profession that may result in unintended harm, or fret that an accident or a lifestyle you grew up with (ie a non-vegan diet) will hinder you on your journey. You probably are not a monk, and therefore perfect adherence is not expected of you. That said, you should always do your best within reason to avoid harming others. The main lesson of Ahimsa, in my opinion is to do the right thing, be a good person, and cultivate positive thoughts, words, and actions. What that means to you and your lifestyle is personal, like much of the Yogi’s Journey.
We are in strange times here in 2020. Between COVID’s health, social, and economic impacts, and the mounting injustices that have fueled the BLM protests, I am sure we can all agree the world can use more kindness. So, let’s start easy.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is performing a random act of kindness. Need some ideas? It can be big or small. Bring home a favorite meal or treat for a loved one. Be extra friendly driving in the car, giving someone the right of way. If you can, pay for the order for the person behind you in a drive through. Has that ever happened to you? It happened to my sister, it made her day! If you are reading and we are no longer in the days of social distancing, hold the door open for the person behind you, or help someone who is struggling to reach or carry something. Volunteer. Give to charity. Plant a tree. Whatever feels like the right way for you to actively practice kindness and compassion, or to do your small part to make someone else smile, or make the world better today than it was yesterday.
Please comment to share your experience if you tried one of our suggestions, or one of your own! Always remember, be kind!
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