Happy September 5, 2023 – Asana Styles: Ashtanga Vinyasa Series
Halasana – Plow Pose
Good morning Yogis! This is the last day of your series on the different styles of Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
We have talked quite a bit about Ashtanga, or the 8 Limbs of Yoga. This is a direct reference to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. There is also a style of Yoga or Asana called Ashtanga, or Ashtanga Vinyasa you have likely seen at some Yoga studios. I am just a student of Ashtanga Yoga, not a teacher.. which will require a trip to the one Ashtanga Yoga school in India (one day!). Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a series of specific, challenging, and dynamic sets of Asana sequences and other Yoga practices. There are 6 Ashtanga Vinyasa Series: beginner, intermediate, and four advanced.
Today’s Positive Practice suggestion
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a beginner Ashtanga Vinyasa Asana series. Even though this is called a beginner series, you will see it is quite challenging!
Recommended Videos
This video is about as gentle and easy as possible for the beginner series.
This video is a more challenging and traditional version of the Ashtanga beginner series.
Check out a sped-up version of each of these videos above, to get a quick idea of what this style is like! You will notice a rigorous flow practice combined with advanced Asanas.
Do not push yourself to pain on your Yoga Journey! Many Yogis of all levels embrace all kinds of blocks and props. Do not hesitate to grab a couch pillow for extra support, a block for extra support or when you cannot reach the floor, or a strap for extra arm-reach and leverage.
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.
Happy February 11, 2023 – Asana Styles: Ashtanga Vinyasa Series
Halasana – Plow Pose
Good morning Yogis! This is the last day of your series on the different styles of Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
We have talked quite a bit about Ashtanga, or the 8 Limbs of Yoga. This is a direct reference to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. There is also a style of Yoga or Asana called Ashtanga, or Ashtanga Vinyasa you have likely seen at some Yoga studios. I am just a student of Ashtanga Yoga, not a teacher.. which will require a trip to the one Ashtanga Yoga school in India (one day!). Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a series of specific, challenging, and dynamic sets of Asana sequences and other Yoga practices. There are 6 Ashtanga Vinyasa Series: beginner, intermediate, and four advanced.
Today’s Positive Practice suggestion
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a beginner Ashtanga Vinyasa Asana series. Even though this is called a beginner series, you will see it is quite challenging!
Recommended Videos
This video is about as gentle and easy as possible for the beginner series.
This video is a more challenging and traditional version of the Ashtanga beginner series.
Check out a sped-up version of each of these videos above, to get a quick idea of what this style is like! You will notice a rigorous flow practice combined with advanced Asanas.
Do not push yourself to pain on your Yoga Journey! Many Yogis of all levels embrace all kinds of blocks and props. Do not hesitate to grab a couch pillow for extra support, a block for extra support or when you cannot reach the floor, or a strap for extra arm-reach and leverage.
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.
Share your Practice
Please comment to share your experience with this beginner Ashtanga series! Which version did you try? What did you think? Always remember, be kind!
Good morning Yogis! We are beginning another 30 Day Intro Challenge for May. today we will set focuses for our 8 Limbs Practices. New Yogis – please just learn about the 8 Limbs for now!
New & Intro Challenge Yogis – Please navigate to our intro weekend posts below!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to set a philosophy based focus or intention for yourself from the 8 Limbed Yoga Practices for May. In traditional Yoga this is something a Guru would recommend for his student, but this is a personal journey so please focus on prioritizing a few practices that you need in your life. Please review the 8 Limbs of Yoga and select one or two practices that you would like to focus on more often than our cycle of every 10-20 days with Daily Yogi.
Our daily practices will stay synced up with our 30 Day Challenge Group throughout this month. If this is not your first month of Daily Yogi, consider setting coordinating your philosophical practice with a more physical daily Yoga practice (ie Asanas, Pranayama or Meditation) that is meaningful to you as we discussed yesterday! For example, if you have set Meditation as your daily practice and Ahimsa (non-violence) as your intention for the month, perhaps select Loving-Kindness Meditation for your daily meditation practice. Or, if you have selected Pranayama and Santosha (contentment), make sure to bring mindfulness to your breath work practices, focusing on the sensations throughout your body with each inhale and exahle.
If you have been with us since January, you may remember for 2022 I am prioritizing Svadhyaya (self-study) with increasing the frequency of my journaling habit, Aparigraha with a focus on gratitude, and Santosha (contentment) with mindfulness and living in the present moment. I have been very consistent with my Svadhyaya habit thanks to my 5 year daily prompt journal (see below in recommended journals) and my Santosha (contentment) mindfulness practices, but am happy to reflect and revisit my commitment to Satya (truthfulness) now mid-year.
Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame. – B.K.S Iyengar
Need a Journal? Check out my recommended blank and guided journals!
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 if you would like to share your practice intentions for this challenge month. Stay tuned for our first positive practice from the Yoga Sutras on Monday – we will stay synced up with our 30 Day Challenge Group throughout the month! Always remember, be kind!
Happy February 12, 2022 – Asana Styles: Ashtanga Vinyasa Series
Halasana – Plow Pose
Good morning Yogis! This is the last day of your series on the different styles of Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
We have talked quite a bit about Ashtanga, or the 8 Limbs of Yoga. This is a direct reference to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. There is also a style of Yoga or Asana called Ashtanga, or Ashtanga Vinyasa you have likely seen at some Yoga studios. I am just a student of Ashtanga Yoga, not a teacher.. which will require a trip to the one Ashtanga Yoga school in India (one day!). Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a series of specific, challenging, and dynamic sets of Asana sequences and other Yoga practices. There are 6 Ashtanga Vinyasa Series: beginner, intermediate, and four advanced.
Today’s Positive Practice suggestion
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a beginner Ashtanga Vinyasa Asana series. Even though this is called a beginner series, you will see it is quite challenging!
Recommended Videos
This video is about as gentle and easy as possible for the beginner series.
This video is a more challenging and traditional version of the Ashtanga beginner series.
Check out a sped-up version of each of these videos above, to get a quick idea of what this style is like! You will notice a rigorous flow practice combined with advanced Asanas.
Do not push yourself to pain on your Yoga Journey! Many Yogis of all levels embrace all kinds of blocks and props. Do not hesitate to grab a couch pillow for extra support, a block for extra support or when you cannot reach the floor, or a strap for extra arm-reach and leverage.
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.
Share your Practice
Please comment to share your experience with this beginner Ashtanga series! Which version did you try? What did you think? Always remember, be kind!
Happy January 2, 2022 – Resolutions & Intentions: 8 Limbs of Yoga
Good morning Yogis! We are running another 30 Day Intro Challenge for January. This year January lines up perfectly with our Saturdays intro weekend for Resolutions / Intention Setting, so we will be a couple of days off from our challenge posts which start with Day 0 Intro Weekends. We set our New Years Resolutions yesterday, and today we will set focuses for our 8 Limbs Practices. New Yogis – please just learn about the 8 Limbs for now!
New Yogi 30 Day Challenge Posts
New & Intro Challenge Yogis – Please navigate to our intro weekend posts below!
New year — a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours. – Alex Morritt
Today’s Positive Practice suggestion
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to set focus for yourself from the 8 Limbed Yoga Practices for 2022. In traditional Yoga this is something a Guru would recommend for his student, but this is a personal journey so please focus on prioritizing a few practices that you need in your life.
Daily Yogi’s Resolutions for 2022
Our daily practices cycle through the 8 Limbs of Yoga, and I am currently focused on continuing my daily Meditation practice and maintaining a daily Asana practice for the month of January.
For 2022, I am prioritizing Svadhyaya (self-study) with restarting my daily journaling habit which recently fell off over the holidays,Aparigraha and gratitude to maintain positivity, and Santosha (contentment) with mindfulness and living in the present moment. Last year I prioritized Svadhyaya (self-study) with increasing the frequency of my journaling habit, Satya (truthfulness) particularly with myself and things that no longer serve me, and Santosha (contentment) with mindfulness. In 2020 I prioritized Ahimsa (non-harming) and Meditation. Or, consider the Karma Yoga path of Ghandi with prioritizing Ahimsa (non-harming) and Satya (truthfulness). Or, review the 8 Limbs of Yoga and select a few that you would like to practice more frequently than every 10-20 days with our Daily Yogi practices.
Need a Journal? Check out my recommended blank and guided journals!
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.
Our daily practices will stay synced up with our 30 Day Challenge Group throughout January. If this is not your first month of Daily Yogi, consider setting another daily Yoga practice (ie Asanas, Pranayama or Meditation) that is meaningful to you!
Share your Practice
Please comment if you would like to share your practice priorities for 2022 or January. Always remember, be kind!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to set a philosophy based focus or intention for yourself from the 8 Limbed Yoga Practices for August. In traditional Yoga this is something a Guru would recommend for his student, but this is a personal journey so please focus on prioritizing a few practices that you need in your life. Please review the 8 Limbs of Yoga and select one or two practices that you would like to focus on more often than our cycle of every 10-20 days with Daily Yogi.
Our daily practices will stay synced up with our 30 Day Challenge Group throughout this month. If this is not your first month of Daily Yogi, consider setting coordinating your philosophical practice with a more physical daily Yoga practice (ie Asanas, Pranayama or Meditation) that is meaningful to you as we discussed yesterday! For example, if you have set Meditation as your daily practice and Ahimsa (non-violence) as your intention for the month, perhaps select Loving-Kindness Meditation for your daily meditation practice. Or, if you have selected Pranayama and Santosha (contentment), make sure to bring mindfulness to your breath work practices, focusing on the sensations throughout your body with each inhale and exahle.
If you have been with us since January, you may remember for 2021 I am prioritizing Svadhyaya (self-study) with increasing the frequency of my journaling habit, Satya (truthfulness) particularly with myself and things that no longer serve me, and Santosha (contentment) with mindfulness and living in the present moment. I have been very consistent with my Svadhyaya habit thanks to my 5 year daily prompt journal (see below in recommended journals) and my Santosha (contentment) mindfulness practices, but am happy to reflect and revisit my commitment to Satya (truthfulness) now mid-year.
True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied. – Aadil Palkhivala
Need a Journal? Check out my recommended blank and guided journals!
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 if you would like to share your practice intentions for this challenge month. Stay tuned for our first positive practice from the Yoga Sutras on Monday – we will stay synced up with our 30 Day Challenge Group throughout the month! Always remember, be kind!
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to set a philosophy based focus or intention for yourself from the 8 Limbed Yoga Practices for May. In traditional Yoga this is something a Guru would recommend for his student, but this is a personal journey so please focus on prioritizing a few practices that you need in your life. Please review the 8 Limbs of Yoga and select one or two practices that you would like to focus on more often than our cycle of every 10-20 days with Daily Yogi.
Our daily practices will stay synced up with our 30 Day Challenge Group throughout this month. If this is not your first month of Daily Yogi, consider setting coordinating your philosophical practice with a more physical daily Yoga practice (ie Asanas, Pranayama or Meditation) that is meaningful to you as we discussed yesterday! For example, if you have set Meditation as your daily practice and Ahimsa (non-violence) as your intention for the month, perhaps select Loving-Kindness Meditation for your daily meditation practice. Or, if you have selected Pranayama and Santosha (contentment), make sure to bring mindfulness to your breath work practices, focusing on the sensations throughout your body with each inhale and exahle.
If you have been with us since January, you may remember for 2021 I am prioritizing Svadhyaya (self-study) with increasing the frequency of my journaling habit, Satya (truthfulness) particularly with myself and things that no longer serve me, and Santosha (contentment) with mindfulness and living in the present moment. I have been very consistent with my Svadhyaya habit thanks to my 5 year daily prompt journal (see below in recommended journals) and my Santosha (contentment) mindfulness practices, but am happy to reflect and revisit my commitment to Satya (truthfulness) now mid-year.
Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame. – B.K.S Iyengar
Need a Journal? Check out my recommended blank and guided journals!
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 if you would like to share your practice intentions for this challenge month. Stay tuned for our first positive practice from the Yoga Sutras on Monday – we will stay synced up with our 30 Day Challenge Group throughout the month! Always remember, be kind!
Happy February 13, 2021 – Asana Styles: Ashtanga Vinyasa Series
Halasana – Plow Pose
Good morning Yogis! This is the last day of your series on the different styles of Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
We have talked quite a bit about Ashtanga, or the 8 Limbs of Yoga. This is a direct reference to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. There is also a style of Yoga or Asana called Ashtanga, or Ashtanga Vinyasa you have likely seen at some Yoga studios. I am just a student of Ashtanga Yoga, not a teacher.. which will require a trip to the one Ashtanga Yoga school in India (one day!). Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a series of specific, challenging, and dynamic sets of Asana sequences and other Yoga practices. There are 6 Ashtanga Vinyasa Series: beginner, intermediate, and four advanced.
Today’s Positive Practice suggestion
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a beginner Ashtanga Vinyasa Asana series. Even though this is called a beginner series, you will see it is quite challenging!
Recommended Videos
This video is about as gentle and easy as possible for the beginner series.
This video is a more challenging and traditional version of the Ashtanga beginner series.
Check out a sped-up version of each of these videos above, to get a quick idea of what this style is like! You will notice a rigorous flow practice combined with advanced Asanas.
Do not push yourself to pain on your Yoga Journey! Many Yogis of all levels embrace all kinds of blocks and props. Do not hesitate to grab a couch pillow for extra support, a block for extra support or when you cannot reach the floor, or a strap for extra arm-reach and leverage.
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.
Share your Practice
Please comment to share your experience with this beginner Ashtanga series! Which version did you try? What did you think? Always remember, be kind!
Happy January 3, 2022 – Resolutions: 8 Limbs of Yoga
Good morning Yogis! We are running another 30 Day Intro Challenge for January. Typically we start on Saturdays with Resolutions / Intention Setting, but we will do 3 days of Resolutions and Intention for the New Year. We set our New Years Resolutions and examined Dharma, and today we will set focuses for our 8 Limbs Practices. New Yogis – please just learn about the 8 Limbs for now!
30 Day Challengers
New & Intro Challenge Yogis – Please navigate to our intro weekend posts below!
Yoga is the ending of disturbances of the mind. – Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Today’s Positive Practice suggestion
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to set focus for yourself from the 8 Limbed Yoga Practices for 2021. In traditional Yoga this is something a Guru would recommend for his student, but this is a personal journey so please focus on prioritizing a few practices that you need in your life. Our daily practices cycle through the 8 Limbs of Yoga, and I am currently focused on daily Asana practice for the month of January.
Daily Yogi’s Resolutions for 2021
For 2021, I am prioritizing Svadhyaya (self-study) with increasing the frequency of my journaling habit, Satya (truthfulness) particularly with myself and things that no longer serve me, and Santosha (contentment) with mindfulness and living in the present moment. Last year I prioritized Ahimsa (non-harming) and Meditation. Or, consider the Karma Yoga path of Ghandi with prioritizing Ahimsa (non-harming) and Satya (truthfulness). Or, review the 8 Limbs of Yoga and select a few that you would like to practice more frequently than every 10-20 days with our Daily Yogi practices.
Need a Journal? Check out my recommended blank and guided journals!
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.
Our daily practices will stay synced up with our 30 Day Challenge Group throughout January. If this is not your first month of Daily Yogi, consider setting another daily Yoga practice (ie Asanas, Pranayama or Meditation) that is meaningful to you!
Share your Practice
Please comment if you would like to share your practice priorities for 2021 or January. Stay tuned for our first positive practice from the Yoga Sutras on Monday! Always remember, be kind!
Good morning Yogis! We have talked quite a bit about Ashtanga, or the 8 Limbs of Yoga. This is a direct reference to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. There is also a style of Yoga / Asanas called Ashtanga, or Ashtanga Vinyasa you have likely seen at some Yoga studios. I am just a student of Ashtanga Yoga, not a teacher.. which will require a trip to the one Ashtanga Yoga school in India (one day!). Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a series of specific, challenging, and dynamic sets of Asana sequences and other Yoga practices. There are 6 Ashtanga Vinyasa Series: beginner, intermediate, and four advanced.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a beginner Ashtanga Vinyasa Asana series. Even though this is called a beginner series, you will see it is quite challenging!
Recommended Videos
This video is about as gentle and easy as possible for the beginner series.
This video is a more challenging and traditional version of the Ashtanga beginner series.
Check out a sped-up version of each of these videos above, to get a quick idea of what this style is like! You will notice a rigorous flow practice combined with advanced Asanas.
Do not push yourself to pain on your Yoga Journey! Many Yogis of all levels embrace all kinds of blocks and props. Do not hesitate to grab a couch pillow for extra support, a block for extra support or when you cannot reach the floor, or a strap for extra arm-reach and leverage.
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 to share your experience with this beginner Ashtanga series! Which version did you try? What did you think? Always remember, be kind!
Ishvara Pranidhana (Ish-VA-ra PRA-knee-DAH-na) is literally translated to English as “renouncing the fruits of action” (thank you Thiru at classicyoga.co.in for this translation!) to all-pervading consciousness. The more common translations include surrender or devotion (which we will use for brevity), and the essential concept here is faith in a higher power. This surrender is not about giving up hope when you face your problems, but acceptance. It helps to recall the full translation from Sanskrit above for the true meaning of this practice: non-attachment to outcomes of our actions. Ishvara Pranidhana is typically the most confusing of the Niyamas, especially for new Yogis or those who do not practice outside religions.
Despite the difficulty of both understanding and incorporating this last of the Niyamas into our lives, it is often one of the most rewarding. We all have good days, and we all have bad days. The essence of this is allowing the bad days to pass, trying to believe everything happens for a reason, and keeping moving forward in positive directions despite challenges we may face. I have called my short temper in the past “Ginger Rage”. Tantrum is probably more appropriate… for example very frequently swearing if I get cut off on the highway. But has my little tantrum helped the situation at all?
Advanced Yogis who incorporate Ishvara Pranidhana into their lives may begin seeing difficulties as challenges to overcome, and opportunities to practice managing our responses. This is one of the keys of long-lasting happiness, since getting upset often does nothing to help a bad situation and only makes things more difficult for ourselves. Instead, try to stay calm, and do not allow a negative encounter to draw you into negativity. Of course, this is easier said than done! Remember, it is a journey.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to practice acceptance when something bad or less-than-positive happens today. Try a deep breathing exercise when you encounter a problem. If you lose your temper, perhaps try to step outside yourself and see yourself reacting to a difficulty, and ask yourself if your reaction was productive. If it is possible, try seeing the silver lining for potential for growth in a bad situation. If you are practiced in religious faith, perhaps try praying for your own peace, calm, and understanding instead of a solution to a problem you are facing. Again, this is a journey and this particular practice today is one of the most difficult, so be gentle with yourself. If at first you do not succeed, evaluate what your reaction contributed, and try again next time. Treat this as an experiment, and see how you feel later after trying different approaches to problems that arise.
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Please comment to share how this exercise impacted you. Feel free to share your successes or your struggles with this challenging practice. Always remember, be kind!
Svadhyaya (svad-HYEYE-ya) literally translates from Sanskrit as reading or reciting to oneself, but is typically translated as self-study. Svadhyaya includes not only self-study, but also study of “sacred texts.” This includes the sacred texts of Yoga such as the Yoga Sutras where we take inspiration for Yogi Daily’s positive practices. This also includes reading or studying sacred texts of any and all world religions such as the Bible, Buddhist texts, or whatever religious or philosophical texts resonate with you.
Svadhyaya is all about approaching life with the open mind and heart of a scholar, continuously leaning and growing. It is also about actually practicing learning. This is our first Svadhyaya day, so we will focus on self-study and new beginnings rather than scripture.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to start keeping a journal. I have found a journal to be one of the best ways to study and learn oneself, directly from yourself! Buy a guided or blank paper journal, or make a free online journal (password protect for privacy!) with LiveJournal or WordPress. If you already keep a journal or diary, start adding to your entries about this new journey you are beginning with us. Remember to include notes about both events and your feelings.
Need a Journal? Check out my recommended blank and guided journals!
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.
Want more Ideas for journal day? Check our Journal prompts board on Pinterest!
Please comment and let us know if you keep a diary/journal now, or if this is new for you! If this is already part of your life, please share how often you write or your feelings and experience with keeping a journal. If this is new for you, let us know if you went paper or electronic, and how you feel about starting this new practice. Always remember, be kind!
Tapas (TAH-pas) is one of the easiest of the Niyamas to understand. Tapas is derived from a Sanskrit root meaning “to burn”. Tapas is often translated as self-discipline.
Tapas / self-discipline is what helps us build daily rituals and practices. We tap into Tapas when we push ourselves to get on the Yoga mat every day when we do not feel like it, or do necessary homework or work tasks that we find boring, or commit and stick to daily meditation or a healthy diet. I created the Daily Yogi App as a Tapas tool to encourage myself and those who would like to join to be a little better every day.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to select a meaningful positive new habit or practice to do every day, and set yourself up for success. Need suggestions? It can be big or small. Maybe you commit to this Daily Yogi journey of positive practices with our group every day. Maybe you commit to daily Asana / physical Yoga practice. Perhaps you have always wanted to meditate every day… well, today is the day to start! If you always wanted to learn a language, check out the free Duolingo site and app and get started (and feel free to add me, TarrynTyler as your Duolingo friend). If you’re an insatiable consumer of education like me, check out these free EdX online courses from Harvard or look around the EdX site for other free classes from other schools. Maybe you want to eat healthy, or try out a new diet, or start taking supplements. Whatever is meaningful for you, make the commitment today!
Now, for the second part.. Set yourself up for success! Tapas is not just about setting a goal, it is about exercising self-discipline and follow through. If you use a calendar or planner, write your goal down every day. Maybe add a daily reminder, alarm, or calendar appointment on your phone. Try getting sticky notes and sticking on your bathroom mirror, just inside the front door, or on your night stand.. maybe all three spots! If you have similar friends or family members, maybe try out an accountability-buddy, a friendly competition, or a group 30 Day Challenge. Perhaps schedule giving yourself a small reward on the weekend for sticking to your new habit for the full week. Also, physically set yourself up for success… buy the right foods and dispose of temptations for diet changes, set out exercise equipment and clothes the night before if you want to wake up and exercise, schedule out your lessons to complete by a meaningful date, etc. Whatever methods work for you, try any and all ways to gently encourage yourself to make positive changes or accomplish your goals.
Get the Daily Yogi App – Get quick access to today’s practice and daily pop-up reminders!
Please comment to share your experience if you tried one of our suggestions, or one of your own! Always remember, be kind!
Santosha (san-TOE-shah) is literally translated as complete contentment. Personally, I find Santosha as similar to practicing the positive of Aparigraha (non-attachment) or gratitude within ourselves, as opposed to with our surroundings. If you are a new Yogi beginning your Yoga journey, it is important to bring this concept of Santosha in your Asana practice.
Many of you will be surprised to hear I could not touch my toes until I was 30 years old! This was not due to lack of effort… I was athletic throughout my youth, and performed various styles of dance throughout my life. However, despite me pushing myself during stretching especially in ballet class, my toes were always *just* beyond my reach. At 24, I sustained a sacral fracture and was basically couch-ridden for over a month. It was a very long and painful healing process, complete with super strong prescription painkillers that did nothing for my pain (ginger problems). After being told I would have pain throughout my life, I finally decided to try Yoga.
I am sure you Yogis either have heard or will hear in the Yoga community “Yoga is not about touching your toes, it is about what you learn on the way down.” I have to admit.. when I started getting serious about Yoga, for me it was VERY much about touching my toes. I compared myself to everyone else in the Yoga class who could easily touch their toes or fold into advanced versions of various poses, while I struggled to get half way into the “easy” version. I share this with you, because it is so common for newbies like me!
After continued classes at Yoga studios and home Asana practice, after about three years I could finally touch my toes! I did this not by bouncing or pushing myself in painful deep stretches like I had tried for about a decade in dance, but by gently holding poses while focusing on correct alignment, and breathing myself open. I also learned on the way down that I had been generally holding my breath while pushing myself throughout my dance stretches, completely counter to the way I typically breathed through movement in dance.
I had another lesson in Santosha at a Hot Yoga studio shortly after I began seriously practicing. I started regularly attending beginner classes at a Hot Yoga studio, and heard other students talking about a wonderful hot Vinyasa class held in the evenings. I felt confident after improving in my beginner classes, and decided to check it out. I walked in for the class and saw a few other students MEDITATING IN PERFECT HEAD STANDS in the Hot Yoga room. I was extremely impressed and intimidated. The class started, and it was a super challenging and dynamic “Warm” Vinyasa class that I could barely keep up with. I ended up spending about half the class in Child’s Pose recovering, and was slightly embarrassed at being the newbie in the room. However, 30 minutes of deep breathing in Child’s Pose in the Hot Yoga room may have been EXACTLY what I needed. This was the day I finally cured the nagging pain in my lower back from my sacral injury, from my story above. Also, at the end of class, one of the shirtless ripped Yogi guys who had been relaxing in an impressive handstand at the start of class told me he did the same thing his first class.
As we progress further into more advanced Asanas / Yoga poses, you will encounter some that you may never do. Some poses, such as Eka Pada Sirsasana / Leg Behind Head Pose or Kurmasana / Turtle Pose, are journeys in themselves. It is essential for Yogis to weave this concept of Santosha / contentment into our physical Asana practice. Do not compare yourself to others in the room, or even yourself from another day of practice. Be compassionate with yourself and your body, and be content with where you are today. Notice and appreciate where you are, and observe yourself rather than judge yourself as you gently move forward on your journey.
Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to weave Santosha / contentment into your Asana or physical Yoga practice. Notice and appreciate where you are in your practice without judgement. If you are a new Yogi, maybe promise yourself to be gentle with your body, not comparing yourself to more flexible practitioners. More advanced Yogis also should be gentle with their bodies, and perhaps should revisit this concept of contentment with our journeys. Perhaps you have taken time off from practice.. release the guilt, spend a few minutes on your mat, and enjoy the time you make for yourself. Please keep in mind, exercising contentment in your Asana practice is essential to avoid injury!
Check out our Top 5 Yoga Equipment and Yoga Mats!
Do not push yourself to pain on your Yoga Journey! Many Yogis of all levels embrace all kinds of blocks and props. Do not hesitate to grab a couch pillow for extra support, a block for extra support or when you cannot reach the floor, or a strap for extra arm-reach and leverage.
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Please comment to share how you bring contentment and acceptance to your Asana practice, or another aspect of your life today. Always remember, be kind!
