September 2022: Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses): Guided Meditation

Good Morning Yogis! We have completed our daily positive practices and meditations inspired by the first four Limbs of Yoga, and are back to the Upper Limbs. We are also ending a September Asana-focused month of practices, and moving on to a month focused on meditation for October. We typically spend more time practicing the lower limbs, but during meditation months we will take couple days to cover each of the four upper limbs, rather than combining into one.

close-up bright plant leaves with bright deep red new center leaves - upper limbs of yoga pratyahara withdrawal of senses Quote: The moment the senses start turning inward, we are tapping into the eternal source of energy. - Gurudev Shankar
The moment the senses start turning inward, we are tapping into the eternal source of energy. – Gurudev Shankar

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 our more meditative day today, I recommend a gentle morning Hatha class, perhaps before trying out this new technique!

As we have discussed, the upper limbs build upon all four of the previous limbs, and sequentially upon each other. These practices are all meditation focused and therefore must truly be attained on your own. We will take the next few days in our Meditation-focused month for daily practices inspired by the first three Upper Limbs. Today we will revisit the 5th Limb of Yoga – Pratyahara and try a Pratyahara Guided Meditation.

Pratyahara is the 5th Limb of Yoga, and is usually translated as withdrawal of the senses. “Prati” means against or away, and “Ahara” means food or anything we take into ourselves. So, this literally means to stop taking things into ourselves. This is typically the first step for meditation – letting the outside world slip away, and going inside. The point is not about isolating yourself from outside distractions, it is about withdrawing into yourself, and then allowing outside distractions to fade away. Please see our detailed discussion on Pratyahara for more.

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try a Pratyahara-focused Meditation Practice. You can try this with Shavasana / corpse pose after an Asana practice, with a guided meditation, or on your own.. whatever feels right to you! Remember this is a practice, and a difficult one.. so be patient with yourself on this journey!

Pratyahara Guided Meditation

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Please comment and let me know which you tried, and what you thought of this Pratyahara Meditation! If you have another favorite, then please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

September 2022: Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Guided Meditation & Meditative Practices

Good Morning Yogis! Today is Upper Limbs Day. Today we will revisit Dharana, and then try a Dharana Guided Meditation or other Meditative Practice.

cool perspective epic alpine sunset in the mountains - meditation, upper limbs, calm mind Quote: Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges. So relax. - Bryant McGill
Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges. So relax. – Bryant McGill

Nearly all meditation practices you think of are types of Dharana.

Dharana is the 6th Limb of Yoga, and is usually translated as concentration. This comes from the Sanskrit root “dhri” meaning to hold, carry, or maintain. I prefer to think of Dharana as intense focus, a bit stronger than “concentration”. This is typically the second step for meditation – after letting the outside world slip away, we then direct our focus inward. Please see our deep dive of Dharana for more. Most of the meditative practices we think of are therefore Dharana practices – see our full list!

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try a Dharana-focused Meditation Practice for Upper Limbs and Innergize Day . Perhaps try our traditional breath-focused meditation. Perhaps focus on your breath or body in Shavasana / Corpse Pose after an Asana practice, another meditative practice from our list, try a guided meditation below, or any other method of your own.. whatever feels right to you. We will cover mandalas and flame gazing later!

Dharana or Intense Focus Meditative Practices

Remember this is a practice, and a difficult one.. so be patient with yourself on this journey!

Morning Motivational Meditation (10 minutes)

Evening Sleep/Relaxation Meditation (50 minutes)

Full Night Sleep Meditation (8 hours)

Grounding Meditation (9 minutes)

Body Scanning Guided Meditation (15 minutes)

Loving Kindness Guided Meditation (15 minutes)

Self-Reflective Guided Meditation (15 minutes)

Positive Affirmation Guided Meditation (12 minutes)

Celestial Visualization Guided Meditation (7 minutes)

Manifest Meditations (Power of Attraction) (10 minutes) 

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Check out our Top 5 Yoga Mats and Equipment for Newbies!

You may want to try a block, couch pillow, blanket, or bolster in order to help yourself find a comfortable seat for meditation.

Top 5 Yoga Equipment for Newbies

Top 5 Yoga Mats


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.

Please comment and let me know which you tried, and what you thought of this Dharana exercise! If you have another favorite, then please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender): OM – September 2022

Happy Friday Yogis! We are on the last day of this round of weaving practice of each of the Niyamas into our day. Today we will practice Ishvara Pranidhana / Surrender focusing on the literal translation from Sanskrit – surrender to all-pervading consciousness and its vibration/sound/representation OM.

gold om symbol on dark green background
Om – Sanskrit

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to practice some OMs for Ishvara Pranidhana Day. OM is pronounced as a very long A-U-M or OOOM, not like “on” with an m. OM is familiar in the East, but often the only exposure for those in the West is at Yoga class. Please see my intro to OM for more info and links for in-depth research. You can do this on your own if you are practiced, or check out this video to learn how to properly OM on your own, or perhaps try this video as a guided meditation.

Cymatics

I recently learned about Chladni plates, cymatics, and visual representation of OM. If you are a science nerd like me, PLEASE go check this out.. it is mind-blowing.

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Please comment and share your experience if you got your OM on with us today! Have you tried this before, or is OM new to you? What did you think? Always remember, be kind!

Svadhyaya (Self-Study) – September 2022

Good Morning Yogis! We are continuing on with weaving practice of each of the Niyamas into our day. Last time we practiced the fourth of the NiyamasSvadhyaya / self-study by beginning a journal if we had not kept one. Today we will focus on the other Svadhyaya practice of studying sacred texts.

I am selecting one quote today from one of Yoga’s Sacred Texts – the Bhagavad Gita or God’s Song. The Gita is a section from the Indian Sacred Epic the Mahabharata. It is the most widely known of these Sacred Texts, and is widely read among modern day thinkers. Oppenheimer quoted the Gita after creating the nuclear bomb, and it is highly regarded by Henry David Thoreau, Carl Jung, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and other great minds. Perhaps some bonus Svadhyaya / self-study by reading more of the Gita! Or, if you practice a religion, perhaps read a meaningful section of your traditional sacred texts.

The Bhagavad Gita is available in our free app!

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to reflect on the quote from the Gita. Or, feel free to reflect on readings or quotes from your own religion’s sacred texts.

Today’s Quote from the Gita

cool shot decordova sculpture garden outdoor artwork under bright blue partly cloudy sky - svadhyaya self-study learning goals Quote: We are kept from our goal, not by obstacles, but by a clear path to a lesser goal. - Bhagavad Gita
We are kept from our goal, not by obstacles, but by a clear path to a lesser goal. – Bhagavad Gita

Journal Day

Also, this is a good time to make another journal entry if you have not kept up with this new practice! I have been prioritizing Svadhyaya this year with a daily 5-year guided journal (see below in my recommendations), but I am pleased to be reminded to keep up with longer writing on Svadhyaya days. If you are not sure what to write about, perhaps journal about your thoughts on any quotes from any sacred texts, or your Yogi journey so far.


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.

Please comment and share your thoughts on the above quotes, or your own readings if you would like. Have you kept up with your journal, or are you making another entry with me for Svadhyaya Day? Always remember, be kind!

August 2022 Yoga Challenge: Intro Weekend – Resolutions and Intentions

Good Morning Yogis! Also, welcome to our 30 Day Intro Challenge new Yogis! We are starting another 30 Day Intro Challenge for August. Typically we start Saturday with Resolutions / Intention Settings. If you have been with us since January and our last Challenge, please consider revisiting your intentions and resolutions for the year, since we are at the 1/3 point of 2021.

New & Intro Challenge Yogis – Please navigate to our intro weekend posts below!

00 Birthday/New Year Resolution
Ashtanga – The 8 Limbs of Yoga (must read!)

We are also at the end of a special Santosha and Mindfulness Summer Fun Month to align with July’s Anti-Boredom Month. To align with the start of our Yoga Challenge, our final summer fun / flow practice is Yoga and Exercise!

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.

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to set our Intentions or any Resolutions for August, and practice Asana or another exercise of your choice. Our daily practices will stay synced up with our 30 Day Challenge Group throughout the month. If this is not your first month of Daily Yogi, consider setting an intention for yourself for this month, or keeping another daily Yoga practice (ie Asanas, Pranayama, or Meditation) that is meaningful to you! I am continuing to focus on my daily Asana practice from April into this month, and I have maintained night-time meditations to fall and stay asleep. I am really trying to keep my Hydration habit for the year, and am working at sticking to morning and evening self-care routines I have set for myself and modified as the year has progressed.

cool perspective decordova sculpture garden shot of triangle stone abstract sculpture fountain with background of summer new England forest with green leaves and brown ground - yoga life Quote: When we do yoga, we put controlled stress on ourselves so that we can learn how to react to stresses of life. - Leslie Kaminoff
When we do yoga, we put controlled stress on ourselves so that we can learn how to react to stresses of life. – Leslie Kaminoff

Next INTRO CHALLENGE May 2023

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Please comment if you would like to share your intentions or your own personal bonus daily yoga practice for this month. Stay tuned for our review of the 8 Limbs of Yoga tomorrow, and our first positive practice from the Yoga Sutras on Monday – we will stay synced up with our 30 Day Challenge Group throughout the month of August! Always remember, be kind!

July Anti-Boredom Month – Mindfulness & Flow: International Day of Friendship – 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.

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!

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

With COVID this may not be the best time to visit a populated attraction, or they may be closed right now. So, consider some of our backyard activities below as well!

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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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 Anti-Boredom Month – Mindfulness & Flow: Tiger Day – 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.

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

With COVID this may not be the best time to visit a populated attraction, or they may be closed right now. So, consider some of our backyard activities below as well!

  • 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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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 Anti-Boredom Month – Mindfulness & Flow: Waterpark Day – 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.

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 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!

With COVID this may not be the best time to visit a populated attraction, or they may be closed right now. So, consider some of our backyard activities below as well!

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.

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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 Anti-Boredom Month – Mindfulness & Flow: 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. Tomorrow is the new moon and the darkest night of the lunar month. These are also one of the peak evenings of the Delta Aquarids meteor shower! 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 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.

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 Anti-Boredom Month – Mindfulness & Flow: Crafting, Creating & Building

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.

We covered a few specific crafts during the month, such as painting, sewing, and diamond painting. Today’s summer fun / flow practice suggestion is to pick from a range of crafts or other DIY activities to create something. I started my career in accounting which is a mostly paperless industry, but I especially enjoy interior design and organization projects where I can actually see the physical results of my work and then live in my own creation.

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.

close up of crafting table covered with various craft supplies - mindful mindfulness sewing crafting craft Quote: The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. - Dieter F. Uchtdorf original work - https://unsplash.com/photos/bYOi200uQ6w
The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: A craft, DIY, or building project to create something! You can turn any activity you are passionate about 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.

Craft, Create & Build

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.

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 Anti-Boredom Month – Mindfulness & Flow: Sewing & Knitting

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 also Threading the Needle Day, so today’s fun practice is sewing or knitting!

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.

close up of incomplete floral needlepoint embroidery alongside textile fabric - mindful mindfulness sewing crafting craft embroidery needlepoint Quote: Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that – one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery. - Oliver Wendell Holmes original work - https://unsplash.com/photos/fL5xqqoUVF0
Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by. Life is like that – one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery. – Oliver Wendell Holmes

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: Sewing or Knitting! Today is a KISS simple day, but you can turn a fun and simple pastime such as crafting 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. I enjoy Sewing and especially needlepoint. Knitting is not for me, although this is a favorite hobby of some of my friends!

Sewing & Knitting

Sewing and Knitting are similar, but two very different crafts. Knitting is creating a piece of fabric with yarn. Sewing usually uses a thin needle to stitch thread to fabric, or stitch pieces of fabric together. If you are familiar with these crafts, I recommend picking your favorite and mindfully creating! If this is new to you, please review the list below (I have tried to list in order of difficulty) and start crafting!

Now, I realize this type of activity is not for everyone, so here is another reminder about Tea Ceremony – my recommended substitute practice for any suggested daily Fun Practice this month you do not want to try.

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.

Want to See more like this?

Follow DailyYogi on Pinterest!

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.

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 Anti-Boredom Month – Mindfulness & Flow: Music & Dancing

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.

Today is a KISS (Keep it Super Simple) Day with a simple Fun Practice. Today’s activity is Music and Dancing!

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 redheaded man in denim shirt playing piano covered in multicolored bouquet of flowers on dark background - mindful mindfulness music Quote: Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. - Confucius original work - https://unsplash.com/photos/nj0vGyFB2nY
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. – Confucius

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: Music and Dancing! There are so many ways to enjoy music or dance, so please select any practice related to music or dance that resonates with you today!

  • Play a musical instrument, or make your own instrument with kids!
  • Listen to music (consider Pandora to discover new music)
  • Try karaoke
  • Check out a broadway show
  • Enjoy a ballet or opera
  • Try any kind of dance – dance fitness, ballroom dance, hip hop, ballet, freestyle

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 Anti-Boredom Month – Mindfulness & Flow: Reading

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’s activity is Reading.

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 open book open in front of misty mountain landscape - mindful mindfulness reading books Quote: That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet. - Jhumpa Lahiri   original work - https://unsplash.com/photos/RrhhzitYizg
That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet. – Jhumpa Lahiri

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness/flow Activity: Reading. Today’s activity is not reading during the commute to work or with other background distractions – mindfully reading slowly can transport you to another world. I strongly recommend reading a novel in a genre that interests you, rather than research or technical reading, to get the desired effect from today’s practice.

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 Anti-Boredom Month – Mindfulness & Flow: Leo Season – Astrology & Lion’s Breath

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 the start of Leo Season – Happy Birthday Leo Yogis! So, today we are going to try a fun Svadhyaya / Self-Study Activity – Astrology and Star Charts!

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.

We are also going to talk about Simhasana Pranayama (sim-HA-sa-na PRA-na-YA-ma) or Lion’s Breath today for Leo Season. This is a technique frequently used by my favorite Yoga Instructor in Atlanta (I miss you Olivia! You rock!). She would usually end her classes with this, and the entire room would erupt in laughter. This is a great Pranayama to try first thing in the morning, with children, or whenever you need a little stress relief.

red and white leo zodiac astrology symbol

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try today’s Anti-Boredom / mindfulness / flow Activity: Astrology and Star Charts!  Most people know their primary sun sign, but there is a lot more astrologers interpret from the stars at your time of birth! Generate your free star chart here (you will need your birth time and city for full chart with rising signs). Remember to approach with the open mind of a scholar, and use as a tool for self-reflection.

Simhasana Pranayama – Lion’s Breath

This is a Pranayama that should be performed in a particular Asana pose, not just a normal seated position.

Start in a kneeling position (Virasana – Hero’s pose), or in a seated position with legs crossed if more comfortable. Press your palms into your knees, and straighten your arms to open your chest. This is Simhasana, or Lion’s Pose.

virasana - hero hero's pose - yoga pose forest yogi girl wearing black pants and bright hooded yellow sweatshirt, outdoors yoga in the woods
Virasana – Hero’s Pose
Straighten arms to Simhasana – Lion’s Pose

Start with Diaphragmatic Breathing for 3 full inhales and exhales to get your deep breathing going. Keep your eyes closed during this time.

Now we’ll start our Lion’s Breath! Make sure your eyes are closed, and do another full inhale through your nose.

On your exhale, open your eyes and mouth, and stick your tongue out as far as possible as you contract your throat to slightly say “HA” on the exhale. I always feel like I am channeling a Chinese Guardian Lion Statue!

After exhaling completely with your lion face, close your eyes and mouth for another calm inhale. Repeat this exhale for 3-10 eyes open, tongue out Lion’s Breaths.

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!