HOT YOGA MAMA

When you don’t feel like doing yoga (even though you know you should or really want to), sometimes you just have to start by sitting down on your mat. If that doesn’t do it for you, lie in child’s pose and start to breathe.

Starting out with meditation is the best way to begin any yoga practice. Just rid your mind of anything that’s bothering you, and breathe. Try to focus on the sound of your breath. Take the time to take long inhales and long exhales. Just fill up your lungs, then empty the belly completely. I would do this for as long as it takes to bring focus to your breath, and being present to nothing else but the sound of your breathing. This may take up to 10 or 15 minutes, but it’s worth it.

Then I would sit in Sukhasana (simple cross legged pose) and just raise my hands over head. From there - I can almost guarantee your practice has already begun.

This happens to me once in a while. I’ll be in whatever funk I am in, or make excuses for being on my period, or being too tired. But if all I have to do is get on my mat, I always end up getting my practice in.

It’s funny how your mat will call you into your practice. And it just becomes part of your commitment to get your practice in, or deepen your practice, or just feel good for the day.

I always end with meditation and breathing as well. Some people get up right away and go on with their day. I like to let my body feel absorb the work I just did. I will lay in savasana for 5 minutes or longer, and practice gratitude for giving my body the gift of yoga.

It may feel like you just can’t do it, but if you can bring yourself onto your mat, you’ll see what unfolds.

Namaste.