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Wellness
Published Wednesday Jun 12, 2019 by Aly Raymer

Yoga #OffTheMat: 3 Tips to Practice Every Day

Yoga
Meditation
Expert Advice

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!

 

Practice Pranayama (breath work). 

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. 

 

Clean your space.

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. 

 

Do a body scan.

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!

Aly Raymer yoga MINDBODY
Written by
Aly Raymer
Yoga Instructor
About the author
California born and Boston made, Aly Raymer pursued a career in graphic design and marketing, only to discover life behind a desk was too stifling. Finding her purpose in the fitness community for over a decade, she’s built a following both in the studio and on social media as a lululemon ambassador and yoga instructor.
breast cancer awareness month
Fitness
Published Tuesday Sep 27, 2022 by Bree Lewis

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—Here’s How You Can Make a Difference

Approximately 12,000 women aged 40 or younger are diagnosed with breast cancer every year*. Fortunately, there are preventative steps that we can take to help protect ourselves and each other—one of the best ones being exercise. That’s right. Not only does exercise help us release endorphins, but just 30 minutes of exercise three to four times per week can help decrease a person’s risk of developing breast cancer by 30–50%*.

This is hope in a statistic. Just by adopting a more healthy, active lifestyle, we could prevent the risk of developing breast cancer, while also inspiring others to reduce their risk as well. Keep A Breast Foundation has made doing just this their mission through their annual fundraising campaign, Fit 4 Prevention.

Every October, studios from all over the globe participate by raising money through donation-based workout classes for the Keep A Breast Foundation (KAB). They have created a national movement dedicated to educating others about breast cancer prevention through fitness and wellness—something Mindbody is extremely passionate about. Participating in your favorite activities, all while supporting, preventing, and spreading awareness about breast cancer awareness? Let’s get moving.

Encourage your favorite studio to sign up for the event

If you want to take a donation-based class at your favorite studio, encourage your favorite studios to sign up to bring your community closer together in a meaningful way. Registering is quick and easy. If you think your local studio may be interested in participating, have them check out KAB’s help page—where they can learn how to register for a donation-based class during the month of October. KAB even has a social media kit available to fitness studios to help them promote their donation-based classes.  

Other ways to help

Can’t find a local studio to take a donation-based class near you? Don’t worry, you can still give your support by donating directly to KAB’s website. Luckily, any time that you are moving your body and spreading the word—you’re doing your part in spreading awareness on how to help prevent breast cancer. That is beyond amazing.

This October, we hope you’ll join us in our plight to support the KAB Foundation and its mission to help prevent breast cancer through cultivating a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through movement, health, and wellness—we can reach great heights, together.

To learn more about the KAB Foundation and its mission and how you can get involved further, visit their website.

* National Cancer Institute

bree lewis headshot
Written by
Bree Lewis
Marketing Content Associate
About the author
Born and raised in a small mountain town just south of Yosemite National Park, Bree is an avid lover of health, wellness, and connecting to the outside world around us. As a Cal Poly English major alumn, she has a knack for books, writing, and all things words. In her free time, she enjoys being outside, drinking craft beers, and keeping life jazzy!