May 2023 Yoga Challenge: Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Meditation

Happy May 13, 2023 – Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Meditation

Happy Saturday Yogis! Today we are having a KISS day – try a Meditation Practice of your choice!

30 Day Challengers

Doing our 30 Day Challenge? Click here for today’s post!

midtown atlanta at night with lit buildings and fourth of july fireworks downtown - meditation, upper limbs, stars Quote: If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I'd bet they'd live a lot differently... when you look into infinity, you'll realize that there are more important things than what people do all day. - Calvin & Hobbes
If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’d bet they’d live a lot differently… when you look into infinity, you’ll realize that there are more important things than what people do all day. – Calvin & Hobbes

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is any Meditation Practice for Upper Limbs Day. This week was also International Astronomy Day (two each year!) so perhaps try this cool Celestial Visualization Guided Meditation or some meditative stargazing. Or, in light of May’s Correct Your Posture Month, try a traditional breath-focused meditation with a focus on your alignment. You can scan through all of our recent meditations or check our Upper Limbs Guide for a variety of focused meditative practices.

Want more on Meditation?
Check our Meditation Board on Pinterest!

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Related Positive Practices

Share your Practice

Please comment and share what meditation you chose for today! If you have another favorite meditation, please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

Asana April 2023: Earth Day & Lyrids Meteor Shower

Happy Asana April 23, 2022 – Earth Day & Lyrids Meteor Shower

Good morning Yogis! Today is Earth Day and tonight is the peak of the Lyrids Meteor Shower! This meteor shower is average (20/hr) and produces bright streaking trails, so try to catch a shooting star if you have clear skies this week! So, before we begin another quick Asana series, let’s take a quick break to celebrate Earth Day and focus on enjoying the earth with Santosha practice, or help conservation and environmental efforts with Ahimsa or Asteya practice today.

Bonus Daily Asana Challenge

We are in the middle of a daily Asana practice challenge for April! Please see our Asana Styles page for links to youtube videos for various Yoga Styles. For Earth Day today, I recommend a dynamic Vinyasa series to focus on physical health, or a more meditative Yin and Restorative Series.

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 trying a new Vinyasa class, one of the specialty focuses I have not yet tried.

close-up cool perspective of leafy purple multicolor art from meow wolf denver - earth day environmentalism conservation Quote: The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for. - Ernest Hemingway
The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for. – Ernest Hemingway

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a practice of your choice focused on enjoying or conserving nature for today’s Earth Day.

  • Consider making a donation to the World Wildlife Fund to help protect endangered animals and their environments! I am an animal lover and environmentalist, this one is near and dear to me, but I apologize for repeating over and over 🙂
  • April is Stress Awareness Month, so perhaps consider a meditative walk or hike to enjoy your natural environment!
  • Plant a tree!
  • Perhaps go for a hike and bring gloves and trash bags and do some extra clean-up in honor of Earth Day.
  • Find and participate in an organized local clean-up.. these events are usually great for maintaining social distancing!
  • Support beach and ocean cleanup efforts by purchasing a 4Ocean sea plastic bracelet.
  • Or, if none of these suggestions resonate with you, find another way to practice some environmentalism!

Want more Santosha practices? Check out our Santosha Guide!

Get today’s Daily Yogi Positive Practice in your inbox
Register for our email list!

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Related Positive Practices

Share your Practice

Please comment to share your experience! Which practice did you choose for Earth Day today? Always remember, be kind!

December 2022 Holidays – Satya (Truthfulness): Day 2 – Halcyon Days

Good Morning Yogis – Happy Monday! We are in the middle of our special Holiday Yamas Practices! December is the holiday season for many worldwide nations, cultures, and religions, so this ties in with most other holiday seasons our Yogis may celebrate. I will continue my research through the month and tie in our practices with world holidays if they tie in with our daily practices… please contact me if you have any requests or suggestions!

Holiday Yamas Practice Schedule

We are on our seventh day counting down the 5 Yamas with 5 days of Ahimsa (non-harming), 4 days of Satya (truthfulness), and 3 days of Asteya (non-stealing) before we have a full week of Brahmacharya for the week of Christmas in the United States.. a time that I will enjoy the focus on moderation! We will focus on a different way to practice each of these Yamas each day.

close-up purple blue hyacinth flowers and green leaves - satya truth honesty truthfulness right thoughts correct thoughts Quote: Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Holiday Season – Halcyon Days

Today is the second day of our Satya (truthfulness) practices, and we just ended 5 days of Ahimsa (non-harming) kindness practices. Today is also the start of Halcyon Days. Have you heard of this?! I had heard the name referenced by musicians, and it sounded vaguely familiar from my Classics classes especially Greek mythology, but never really knew. Well, I just learned so you will too 🙂

Halcyon Days nowadays refers to any calm period, but technically these are the 7 days before and after the winter solstice. This two week period is supposed to have particularly calm weather and seas, named after the Halcyon bird (European Kingfisher) which nests during this period. The Halcyon was thought to have the power to calm the seas, from the myth of Alcyone recorded by Ovid. I think random facts are cool…. maybe Halcyon Days will be a trivia question for you in the future!

Okay, back to Satya practice!

We will take the next three days of Satya practice to cover each Satya practice recommended by the 8-Fold Path – correct thoughts, speech, and actions. So today we will practice Satya (truthfulness) with our thoughts. Although this concept of correct thoughts from the 8-Fold Path is fairly complex, we are going to take a simple view for today’s practice – refraining from ill-will against oneself or others. If you do decide to look further into this concept of correct thoughts, you will find Ahimsa is frequently referenced in this kindness in thoughts towards oneself and others. As we discussed yesterday, Satya means KIND truth. So, today we will revisit our challenging Ahimsa of thoughts positive thinking practice for today’s Satya correct thoughts practice.

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to practice Satya / Truthfulness with correct thought from the 8-Fold Path!

Remember this can be a difficult practice, so be extra kind and patient with yourself today if today’s practice is difficult.. you have to start somewhere, check out some of the tools above for support!

Geminids Meteor Shower

blue toned top half of earth from space with bright sun in background and shooting star meteor shower

I want to let everyone know tonight is the peak night of the Geminids meteor shower! I love shooting stars, and the Geminids meteor shower is considered the best of the year! Meteors will be visible throughout the sky, but primarily originating from the constellation Gemini (my sun sign). PS tonight is the peak, but if it is too cloudy you can try again for the next couple of days.

Want more on Positive Thinking?
Check our Positivity Board on Pinterest!

Please comment and share how your Satya practice went today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!

October 2022: Draconids Meteor Shower – Utthita Tadasana (Five Pointed Star Pose)

Good morning Yogis! Today is the ideal day for the Draconids Meteor Shower. This is a fairly minor meteor shower at only 10/hour, but it is one of the few meteor showers that is best viewed in the early evening.. if the sky is clear, try to catch a shooting star tonight! I seriously LOVE stars, all kinds of stars… whether sparkling in the sky, printed all over my footed pajamas, or doodled in the margins of all my notebooks. So today we are taking a break after completing the Yamas and before starting the Niyamas to cover Utthita Tadasana (OOT-hi-ta ta-DA-sa-nuh) or Five Pointed Star Pose.

We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for October! For our Star Themed day today, my meditation for the day is a Celestial Visualization Guided Meditation.

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try Utthita Tadasana or Five Pointed Star Pose, and try to stargaze and catch a shooting star in tonight’s Meteor Shower! PS the Draconids Meteor Shower peaks tomorrow, but this meteor shower is active until the 10th, so you can stargaze another night if visibility is poor today.

Utthita Tadasana – FIve Pointed Star Pose

The literal translation for this pose from Sanskrit is “Extended Mountain Pose” and we will enter from Tadasana or Mountain Pose. The traditional version and variation below are frequently used in Kid’s Yoga, or this is a common transitional Asana that is often passed-through (ie when moving into Warrior Poses) but not often held in adult classes. However, this “Extended” Mountain Pose is a great power pose on its own!

Utthita Tadasana - five-pointed star pose - yoga pose girl pink and purple planet galaxy background
Utthita Tadasana – Star Pose

Feet and Legs – Starting with your legs closed in Tadasana / Mountain Pose, step or hop your feet out as wide as comfortable, at least double hip-width. Try to have your wrists under ankles when you raise your arms around to come into the traditional expression of this Asana – I prefer holding his pose with legs closer together for a solid “power pose”. Toes can point straight ahead, or turn out slightly to point at the corners of your mat. 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. Try to tilt your hips forward and back a bit to get a feel for your natural posture. 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.

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 – Exhale and spread your arms wide at shoulder height to come into the traditional version of Utthita Tadasana. Spread your fingers wide, and your palms can face down to the floor or straight ahead.

Hold this pose for as long as comfortable, usually 3-5 breaths.

To come into the variation below, keep your shoulders down and back, and raise your hands above your head.

Utthita Tadasana - five-pointed star pose variation hands raised - yoga pose girl blue planet galaxy background
Utthita Tadasana – Star Pose – Hands Raised

PPS If you are comfortable with Utthita Tadasana, please tag us with your pictures on Instagram!

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

Utthita Tadasana will not require any props other than a yoga mat.
You can try holding a strap between hands for tight shoulders and to keep arms in line.

Top 5 Yoga Equipment for Newbies

Top 5 Yoga Mats


Please comment to share your experience! Have you tried Utthita Tadasana / Five Pointed Star Pose before? Were you able to catch a shooting star for the Draconids Meteor Shower? Always remember, be kind!

YOGA TEACHERS – see more on Tummee

August 2022 Yoga Challenge: Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Meditation

Doing our 30 Day Challenge? Click here for today’s post!

cool perspective close-up evergreen pine needle branches over brown forest floor  - moving meditation mindfulness Quote: The more regularly and the more deeply you meditate, the sooner you will find yourself acting always from a center of peace. - J. Donald Walters
The more regularly and the more deeply you meditate, the sooner you will find yourself acting always from a center of peace. – J. Donald Walters

Happy Saturday Yogis! Today we are having a KISS day – try a Meditation Practice of your choice!

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is any Meditation Practice for Upper Limbs Day. Today is also a night you can catch the Perseids Meteor Shower, so perhaps try this cool Celestial Visualization Guided Meditation or some meditative stargazing. You can scan through all of our recent meditations or check our recent Dharana Day Post for a variety of focused meditative practices.

Want more on Meditation?
Check our Meditation Board on Pinterest!

Please comment and share what meditation you chose for today! If you have another favorite meditation, please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

August 2022 Yoga Challenge: Santosha (Contentment)

Doing our 30 Day Challenge? Click here for today’s post!

white mountain wildflowers in grassy green field in front of gray lichen covered boulder - santosha contentment happiness satisfaction Quote: Happiness is a state of mind. It's just according to the way you look at things. - Walt Disney
Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things. – Walt Disney

Good Morning Yogis! Our challengers are learning to remember to incorporate Santosha / contentment with Asana practice. We have discussed that Yoga is a practice, and I find nearly all of the limbs to be challenging. I personally have a hard time with Santosha, finding it especially difficult to “turn off” to just relax and enjoy where I am. So, today you have the choice between Santosha in the present moment, or Santosha with your Asana practice today.

PS Today is also the Lion’s Gate peak – perhaps practice some Lion’s Breath Pranayama!

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice for Santosha Day is either bringing Santosha into our Asana practice, or focusing on the present moment, ideally in nature.

Yogis practicing Santosha with their Asana practice – perhaps try a challenging balance pose! Here is a list of balance-focused Asanas and instructions from Yoga Journal.

For those Yogis practicing the finding the happiness in the “now” – here are some of our best tips!

  • Go on a walk, and perhaps literally stop and smell the roses.
  • Take a run and feel the wind on your face.
  • Being around water is especially calming, maybe head out for a walk down the beach, around a lake, or by a river.
  • Go for a hike and appreciate the beauty around you rather than focusing on finding a perfect selfie spot.
  • Since we are still in the days of social distancing, maybe pack a picnic and head to the back yard or a nearby park.
  • Read a book on your deck or by the window.
  • Sit quietly, and go through all of your senses one by one to appreciate your surroundings.
  • Any way that feels right for you to get out of your head, and appreciate the beauty of the world around you.

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

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.

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 share how your Santosha Day went focusing on living in the now. Please share any favorite practices or tricks! Always remember, be kind!

May 2022 Yoga Challenge: Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Meditation

Happy May 14, 2022 – Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Meditation

Happy Saturday Yogis! Today we are having a KISS day – try a Meditation Practice of your choice!

30 Day Challengers

Doing our 30 Day Challenge? Click here for today’s post!

midtown atlanta at night with lit buildings and fourth of july fireworks downtown - meditation, upper limbs, stars Quote: If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I'd bet they'd live a lot differently... when you look into infinity, you'll realize that there are more important things than what people do all day. - Calvin & Hobbes
If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’d bet they’d live a lot differently… when you look into infinity, you’ll realize that there are more important things than what people do all day. – Calvin & Hobbes

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is any Meditation Practice for Upper Limbs Day. This week was also International Astronomy Day (two each year!) so perhaps try this cool Celestial Visualization Guided Meditation or some meditative stargazing. Or, in light of May’s Correct Your Posture Month, try a traditional breath-focused meditation with a focus on your alignment. You can scan through all of our recent meditations or check our Upper Limbs Guide for a variety of focused meditative practices.

Want more on Meditation?
Check our Meditation Board on Pinterest!

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Related Positive Practices

Share your Practice

Please comment and share what meditation you chose for today! If you have another favorite meditation, please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

Asana April 2022: Earth Day & Lyrids Meteor Shower

Happy Asana April 22, 2022 – Earth Day & Lyrids Meteor Shower

Good morning Yogis! Today is Earth Day and tonight is the peak of the Lyrids Meteor Shower! This meteor shower is average (20/hr) and produces bright streaking trails, so try to catch a shooting star if you have clear skies this week! So, before we begin another quick Asana series, let’s take a quick break to celebrate Earth Day and focus on enjoying the earth with Santosha practice, or help conservation and environmental efforts with Ahimsa or Asteya practice today.

Bonus Daily Asana Challenge

We are in the middle of a daily Asana practice challenge for April! Please see our Asana Styles page for links to youtube videos for various Yoga Styles. For Earth Day today, I recommend a dynamic Vinyasa series to focus on physical health, or a more meditative Yin and Restorative Series.

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 trying a new Vinyasa class, one of the specialty focuses I have not yet tried.

close-up cool perspective of leafy purple multicolor art from meow wolf denver - earth day environmentalism conservation Quote: The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for. - Ernest Hemingway
The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for. – Ernest Hemingway

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a practice of your choice focused on enjoying or conserving nature for today’s Earth Day.

  • Consider making a donation to the World Wildlife Fund to help protect endangered animals and their environments! I am an animal lover and environmentalist, this one is near and dear to me, but I apologize for repeating over and over 🙂
  • April is Stress Awareness Month, so perhaps consider a meditative walk or hike to enjoy your natural environment!
  • Plant a tree!
  • Perhaps go for a hike and bring gloves and trash bags and do some extra clean-up in honor of Earth Day.
  • Find and participate in an organized local clean-up.. these events are usually great for maintaining social distancing!
  • Support beach and ocean cleanup efforts by purchasing a 4Ocean sea plastic bracelet.
  • Or, if none of these suggestions resonate with you, find another way to practice some environmentalism!

Want more Santosha practices? Check out our Santosha Guide!

Get today’s Daily Yogi Positive Practice in your inbox
Register for our email list!

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Related Positive Practices

Share your Practice

Please comment to share your experience! Which practice did you choose for Earth Day today? Always remember, be kind!

December 2021 Holiday Season – Satya (Truthfulness): Day 1

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of our special Holiday Yamas Practices! December is the holiday season for many worldwide nations, cultures, and religions, so this ties in with most other holiday seasons our Yogis may celebrate. I will continue my research through the month and tie in our practices with world holidays if they tie in with our daily practices… please contact me if you have any requests or suggestions!

cool perspective looking up at cloudy blue sky in the mountains with darkened green pine trees - satya kind truth honesty truthfulness friends and family Quote: Cherish your friends and family. They have helped you get where you are today. - Catherine Pulsifer
Cherish your friends and family. They have helped you get where you are today. – Catherine Pulsifer

Holiday Yamas Practice Schedule

We are on our sixth day counting down the 5 Yamas with 5 days of Ahimsa (non-harming), 4 days of Satya (truthfulness), and 3 days of Asteya (non-stealing) before we have a full week of Brahmacharya for the week of Christmas in the United States.. a time that I will enjoy the focus on moderation! We will focus on a different way to practice each of these Yamas each day.

Holiday Season – 12/13 Satya

Today is the first day of our Satya (truthfulness) practices, and we just ended 5 days of Ahimsa (non-harming) kindness practices. Today we will combine the two a bit with one of my favorite Satya (truthfulness) practices – sharing a kind truth with a loved one. Remember – Satya is translated as KIND truth, and is more about restraint than sharing your truth… please keep the three gates saying in mind with your Satya practice. We will take the next three days of Satya practice to cover each Satya practice recommended by the 8-Fold Path – correct speech, thoughts, and actions.

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to share a kind truth with a loved one for our first Holiday Satya / Truthfulness Day! 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.

Geminids Meteor Shower

blue toned top half of earth from space with bright sun in background and shooting star meteor shower

I want to let everyone know tonight is the peak night of the Geminids meteor shower! I love shooting stars, and the Geminids meteor shower is considered the best of the year! Meteors will be visible throughout the sky, but primarily originating from the constellation Gemini (my sun sign). PS tonight is the peak, but if it is too cloudy you can try again for the next couple of days.

Get today’s Daily Yogi Positive Practice in your inbox
Register for our email list!

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

Please comment and share how your Satya practice went today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!

Utthita Tadasana – Five Pointed Star Pose – Draconids Meteor Shower

Good morning Yogis! Today is the ideal day for the Draconids Meteor Shower. This is a fairly minor meteor shower at only 10/hour, but it is one of the few meteor showers that is best viewed in the early evening.. if the sky is clear, try to catch a shooting star tonight! I seriously LOVE stars, all kinds of stars… whether sparkling in the sky, printed all over my footed pajamas, or doodled in the margins of all my notebooks. So today we are taking a break after completing the Yamas and before starting the Niyamas to cover Utthita Tadasana (OOT-hi-ta ta-DA-sa-nuh) or Five Pointed Star Pose.

We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for October! For our Star Themed day today, my meditation for the day is a Celestial Visualization Guided Meditation.

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try Utthita Tadasana or Five Pointed Star Pose, and try to stargaze and catch a shooting star in tonight’s Meteor Shower! PS the Draconids Meteor Shower peaks tomorrow October 8th, but the dark sky of the new moon makes for ideal viewing tonight! This meteor shower is active until the 10th, so you can stargaze another night if visibility is poor today.

Utthita Tadasana – FIve Pointed Star Pose

The literal translation for this pose from Sanskrit is “Extended Mountain Pose” and we will enter from Tadasana or Mountain Pose. The traditional version and variation below are frequently used in Kid’s Yoga, or this is a common transitional Asana that is often passed-through (ie when moving into Warrior Poses) but not often held in adult classes. However, this “Extended” Mountain Pose is a great power pose on its own!

Utthita Tadasana - five-pointed star pose - yoga pose girl pink and purple planet galaxy background
Utthita Tadasana – Star Pose

Feet and Legs – Starting with your legs closed in Tadasana / Mountain Pose, step or hop your feet out as wide as comfortable, at least double hip-width. Try to have your wrists under ankles when you raise your arms around to come into the traditional expression of this Asana – I prefer holding his pose with legs closer together for a solid “power pose”. Toes can point straight ahead, or turn out slightly to point at the corners of your mat. 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. Try to tilt your hips forward and back a bit to get a feel for your natural posture. 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.

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 – Exhale and spread your arms wide at shoulder height to come into the traditional version of Utthita Tadasana. Spread your fingers wide, and your palms can face down to the floor or straight ahead.

Hold this pose for as long as comfortable, usually 3-5 breaths.

To come into the variation below, keep your shoulders down and back, and raise your hands above your head.

Utthita Tadasana - five-pointed star pose variation hands raised - yoga pose girl blue planet galaxy background
Utthita Tadasana – Star Pose – Hands Raised

PPS If you are comfortable with Utthita Tadasana, please tag us with your pictures on Instagram!

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

Utthita Tadasana will not require any props other than a yoga mat.
You can try holding a strap between hands for tight shoulders and to keep arms in line.

Top 5 Yoga Equipment for Newbies

Top 5 Yoga Mats


Please comment to share your experience! Have you tried Utthita Tadasana / Five Pointed Star Pose before? Were you able to catch a shooting star for the Draconids Meteor Shower? Always remember, be kind!

YOGA TEACHERS – see more on Tummee

Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Day 1 – August 2021 Yoga Challenge Day 13 – Meditation

Doing our 30 Day Challenge? Click here for today’s post!

cool perspective close-up evergreen pine needle branches over brown forest floor  - moving meditation mindfulness Quote: The more regularly and the more deeply you meditate, the sooner you will find yourself acting always from a center of peace. - J. Donald Walters
The more regularly and the more deeply you meditate, the sooner you will find yourself acting always from a center of peace. – J. Donald Walters

Happy Saturday Yogis! Today we are having a KISS day – try a Meditation Practice of your choice!

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is any Meditation Practice for Upper Limbs Day. Today is also a night you can catch the Perseids Meteor Shower, so perhaps try this cool Celestial Visualization Guided Meditation or some meditative stargazing. You can scan through all of our recent meditations or check our recent Dharana Day Post for a variety of focused meditative practices.

Want more on Meditation?
Check our Meditation Board on Pinterest!

Please comment and share what meditation you chose for today! If you have another favorite meditation, please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

Santosha – Contentment – Day 1 – August 2021 Yoga Challenge Day 7

Doing our 30 Day Challenge? Click here for today’s post!

white mountain wildflowers in grassy green field in front of gray lichen covered boulder - santosha contentment happiness satisfaction Quote: Happiness is a state of mind. It's just according to the way you look at things. - Walt Disney
Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things. – Walt Disney

Good Morning Yogis! Our challengers are learning to remember to incorporate Santosha / contentment with Asana practice. We have discussed that Yoga is a practice, and I find nearly all of the limbs to be challenging. I personally have a hard time with Santosha, finding it especially difficult to “turn off” to just relax and enjoy where I am. So, today you have the choice between Santosha in the present moment, or Santosha with your Asana practice today.

PS Today is also the Lion’s Gate peak – perhaps practice some Lion’s Breath Pranayama!

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice for Santosha Day is either bringing Santosha into our Asana practice, or focusing on the present moment, ideally in nature.

Yogis practicing Santosha with their Asana practice – perhaps try a challenging balance pose! Here is a list of balance-focused Asanas and instructions from Yoga Journal.

For those Yogis practicing the finding the happiness in the “now” – here are some of our best tips!

  • Go on a walk, and perhaps literally stop and smell the roses.
  • Take a run and feel the wind on your face.
  • Being around water is especially calming, maybe head out for a walk down the beach, around a lake, or by a river.
  • Go for a hike and appreciate the beauty around you rather than focusing on finding a perfect selfie spot.
  • Since we are still in the days of social distancing, maybe pack a picnic and head to the back yard or a nearby park.
  • Read a book on your deck or by the window.
  • Sit quietly, and go through all of your senses one by one to appreciate your surroundings.
  • Any way that feels right for you to get out of your head, and appreciate the beauty of the world around you.

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

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.

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 share how your Santosha Day went focusing on living in the now. Please share any favorite practices or tricks! Always remember, be kind!

Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Day 1 – May 2021 Yoga Challenge – Meditation

Happy May 15, 2021 – Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Meditation

Happy Saturday Yogis! Today we are having a KISS day – try a Meditation Practice of your choice!

30 Day Challengers

Doing our 30 Day Challenge? Click here for today’s post!

midtown atlanta at night with lit buildings and fourth of july fireworks downtown - meditation, upper limbs, stars Quote: If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I'd bet they'd live a lot differently... when you look into infinity, you'll realize that there are more important things than what people do all day. - Calvin & Hobbes
If people sat outside and looked at the stars each night, I’d bet they’d live a lot differently… when you look into infinity, you’ll realize that there are more important things than what people do all day. – Calvin & Hobbes

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is any Meditation Practice for Upper Limbs Day. Today is also International Astronomy Day (two each year!) so perhaps try this cool Celestial Visualization Guided Meditation or some meditative stargazing. Or, in light of May’s Correct Your Posture Month, try a traditional breath-focused meditation with a focus on your alignment. You can scan through all of our recent meditations or check our Upper Limbs Guide for a variety of focused meditative practices.

Want more on Meditation?
Check our Meditation Board on Pinterest!

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Related Positive Practices

Share your Practice

Please comment and share what meditation you chose for today! If you have another favorite meditation, please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

Earth Day 2021 & Lyrids Meteor Shower

Happy Asana April 22, 2021 – Earth Day & Lyrids Meteor Shower

Good morning Yogis! Today is Earth Day and tonight is the peak of the Lyrids Meteor Shower! This meteor shower is average (20/hr) and produces bright streaking trails, so try to catch a shooting star if you have clear skies this week! So, before we begin another quick Asana series, let’s take a quick break to celebrate Earth Day and focus on enjoying the earth with Santosha practice, or help conservation and environmental efforts with Ahimsa or Asteya practice today.

Bonus Daily Asana Challenge

We are in the middle of a daily Asana practice challenge for April! Please see our Asana Styles page for links to youtube videos for various Yoga Styles. For Earth Day today, I recommend a dynamic Vinyasa series to focus on physical health, or a more meditative Yin and Restorative Series.

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 trying a new Vinyasa class, one of the specialty focuses I have not yet tried.

light pink and purple orchid flower arrangement on lattice with deep green leaves above a white bench inside a greenhouse with light blue sky outside - Earth Day environmentalism conservation Quote: The Earth is what we all have in common. - Wendell Berry
The Earth is what we all have in common. – Wendell Berry

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a practice of your choice focused on enjoying or conserving nature for today’s Earth Day.

  • Consider making a donation to the World Wildlife Fund to help protect endangered animals and their environments! I am an animal lover and environmentalist, this one is near and dear to me, but I apologize for repeating over and over 🙂
  • April is Stress Awareness Month, so perhaps consider a meditative walk or hike to enjoy your natural environment!
  • Plant a tree!
  • Perhaps go for a hike and bring gloves and trash bags and do some extra clean-up in honor of Earth Day.
  • Find and participate in an organized local clean-up.. these events are usually great for maintaining social distancing!
  • Support beach and ocean cleanup efforts by purchasing a 4Ocean sea plastic bracelet.
  • Or, if none of these suggestions resonate with you, find another way to practice some environmentalism!

Want more Santosha practices? Check out our Santosha Guide!

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More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Related Positive Practices

Share your Practice

Please comment to share your experience! Which practice did you choose for Earth Day today? Always remember, be kind!