Now begins the practice of yoga (at home)

Diana Dalton • February 28, 2025

Beginning a home practice

The first yoga sutra in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (our classical yoga text) is "Now begins the explanation of yoga". A reminder to come to the present moment. We can be so distracted by modern life, and this distraction creates stress. This simple sutra is an invitation to return from worries and ruminations to the golden, present moment of NOW. Take a breath and let it go. Be here now...

If you're having trouble getting on your mat and practicing consistently on your own, you are in good company. Would you be surprised to learn that at the last teachers' practice the topic was how to keep practicing? How to keep getting on your mat (even when life gets in the way or you don't feel like it!)? Yes, even yoga teachers need strategies and support to keep practicing! So ditch the guilt and the story about how hard it is to practice on your own, get on your mat and meet yourself where you are. I hope the following strategies provide you with some inspiration to practice yoga at home.

Strategies for an at-home practice:

designate an area in your home for yoga- leave props where you can see them- a visual invitation and friendly reminder to practice!

let go of what you think yoga practice "should" look like

get on your mat every day and ask yourself what you need- then listen

Do 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes in the morning- it will improve your whole day!

Don't feel like practicing? Do child's pose (adhomukha virasana) then downdog (adhomukha svanasana) then standing forward bend (uttanasana) to start and see how you feel...

after your next class: pick one thing you loved and one thing you didn't and practice for the week

push yourself or go into new territory only when you are feeling good

nourish yourself

use the home practice sequences below as a guide

No matter what is going on in our lives, the answer is always to practice. Feeling sad or low? Practice yoga to uplift your spirit. Feeling anxious or stressed? Practice yoga to calm your nerves. Feeling tired? Practice yoga to refresh yourself. Feeling hyper? Practice yoga to center and balance yourself.

Still need further motivation? Did you know that practicing yoga on own creates a different kind of resilience and power than when we follow instructions? Will power and discipline are cultivated even more when we practice on our own. Plus there is something magical about practicing savasana in the comfort of your own home and having the freedom to come out when you are ready... if you haven't had a luxurious savasana at home you really must treat yourself and stay as long as you like! Let me know how it goes.

Love,

Home Practice Sequences 1-4, Level I

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Spring into Action with Yoga

By Diana Dalton • April 12, 2025

Everything in life changes, we are in a constant state of flux. You've heard the joke? Don't worry, nothing is under control!? Kidding aside, when we resist the inevitable changes in life, we suffer. A consistent yoga practice helps us to see the impermanent nature of the world and practice our non attachment skills. This means we learn how to go with the flow and ride the wave of life. Lots of changes for many of us so far this year. I hope you will come and find me at the Yoga Expo (see below) or in one of my classes around town. But most importantly, I hope you will keep practicing yoga (see my last blog for tips on practicing at home ). Yoga can take many forms, not just postures. Anything you do to center yourself and quiet the turnings of the mind is yoga. Any time you spend connecting with yourself through breathing, meditation, contemplation of sacred texts, or any task done mindfully, you are practicing yoga. This is how we center ourselves, regulate our nervous systems, and keep returning to our hearts. This is how we live our best life, despite how lifey it might get! “Yoga allows you to find inner piece that is not ruffled and riled by the endless stresses and struggles of life.” BKS Iyengar Sutra 1:33 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali A clear and tranquil mind results from: friendliness towards the happy compassion for those who suffer joy towards the virtuous impartiality tow ards wrong doers This has always been my favorite sutra because it is so practical (enough philosophy, tell me what to DO!). Here, Patanjali is giving us tools to deal with other people and stay centered. Couldn't we all use this good advice? Instead of comparing yourself to someone thinner, younger, richer, etc. - be happy for their success. Comparison is the thief of joy. Be happy for them and you maintain your calm, tranquil mind. Maybe even let their success inspire you? Instead of getting all upset and angry about those people, practice indifference. It's not that you don't care, it's that you are choosing peace in your own mind over rehashing the same negative story about those people and all their wrong doings. Choose peace. This is how we keep our minds quiet and in a satvic, luminous state. Namaste, Di

DIANA DALTON YOGA