Wellness
International Women's Day: Who Run The (Wellness) World
Stories and advice from some incredible women in wellness.
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I like to remind my students that yoga happens just as much off the mat as it does on the mat. The physical movement is just a tiny piece of the overall practice. So, how do you practice yoga #offthemat?
Here’s a couple of go-to tips and tricks for you to try throughout your day, no matter how busy you are!
Feeling overwhelmed, annoyed, stressed, upset? Block your calendar for 5 to 10 minutes and find a quiet place to sit—or put on headphones with relaxing music. Sit with your feet on the ground, hands in your lap, and close your eyes. Inhale slow and deep. Pause. Exhale slow and deep.. that’s one. Do this sequence up to 10 times and repeat. If you lose count (or focus), start from the beginning. Sometimes, I only get to three! That’s why it is called a practice. Once the timer goes off, take a moment to reflect on how you feel and then slowly open your eyes and tackle your day with a much calmer state of mind.
One of the five niyamas (the second limb of yoga dealing with self-discipline) “saucha” refers to cleanliness and clarity of your mind. In my opinion, a clear space can help keep your mind clear. Knowing where everything is and having a tidy space will also help you feel more centered and in control for when things in life become stressful or unpredictable. Protip: Feeling like you are in a rut? Re-organize your desk! Sometimes just moving things around can help bring a creative spark back.
Need a reset in the middle of the day? Block your calendar for 5 to 10 minutes and again, find a quiet place to sit—or put on headphones with relaxing music. Try scanning your body mentally from head to toe. You can do this seated at your desk (just make sure it’s quiet, and no one will interrupt you). Take three gentle, deep breathes in and out and then close your eyes. Imagine a wave of warm, soft, and relaxing energy is slowly moving down your body from the crown of your head, to your shoulders, arms, torso, hips, legs, and feet. Spend about three to five breathes in each area. Once you reach the bottom, slowly open your eyes and feel the relaxed and clear state you have achieved!
Last of all, practice gratitude daily—even on the toughest day. A bit of gratitude will remind you of the good things you have in life. Namaste!