Embracing change

As we dive into the autumn season, I’ve been reflecting how the concept of change is a big part of my yoga practice.  

I was feeling under the weather last week, before that I was out of town, and before that I was extremely busy with work.  None of this is very spectacular or unusual for someone’s life, but it meant that my yoga practice was not as intense as I like it to be.  I tend to become agitated when I’m not practicing my yoga at my edge.

I am a yoga practitioner that enjoys the depth of daily practice.  Even though I like the challenge of a physical practice, sometimes my personal challenge is making space for my practice to change.  Which feels appropriate because, at its core, I see yoga as a practice of observing change.

My practice looks different at different times in my life. Instead of clinging to what I used to be, I make it a practice of embracing who I am becoming. I’m not saying this easy, it is actually very difficult for me! But I step up to this challenge because I don’t want to live in self-judgement, I do my yoga so that I feel freedom.

Sometimes we can’t unroll our mat and do our practice in the traditional sense, but the practice is still there.  Or our once vigorous practice needs to be slow and contemplative.  Or our therapeutic practice needs to push an edge.  Or maybe life feels like a lot to handle, and pausing to listen to the our breath is part of our yoga.

Just as the way the seasons shift from our hot summer to the crisp autumn air— how does your yoga practice flow and change during the seasons of your life?  As your yoga practice has developed over time, what do you celebrate about the ripening of your practice?

Would you like to join me on this yoga journey of becoming something new? I’m teaching a 6 week Yin Yoga series at Sierra College Grass Valley that starts November 1, 2024. Click here for more information and registration.

3 reasons why you won’t regret signing up for online yoga

I was skeptical too. How can online yoga be as good as in person? But what I found is that online yoga is different…and better than in person in some ways! I’ve been teaching and practicing online since March 2020. I’ve seen the students that attend my online classes go deeper into their yoga practice — in ways that weren’t possible in person. My personal practice has also gone to another level by attending online recorded classes and practicing on my own. I believe, having in person and online will always be a part of my life now. If you’re new to online yoga— Here are 3 reasons why you won’t regret signing up for my Online Yoga Membership:

Consistency: When people sign up for my online yoga Membership, I sure see a lot of them! You see, it can be easier to turn on the computer or ipad, than it is to get in the car and drive across town. I’ve noticed that people stick with the Membership and people show up. I also have seen this in myself! Since I started practicing at home in 2020, my practice is way more consistent. It’s rare day that I don’t do a yoga class. Being able to practice at home, saves a lot of time. On most days, no matter what I’m doing, I have at least 30 to 60 minutes to dedicate myself to the practice.

Creativity: I’ve found that online yoga can be a creative space because people have more chance for exploration. You can modify a pose, do a different posture, stay in a posture longer or come out of pose—This allows more freedom of expression of what self-care means to you on that day. I’ve noticed in myself, that I’m more tuned into my body and my practice. Doing classes online has given me more initiative to create a practice that suits me best in the moment. I feel more in touch with myself doing online yoga.

Community: My online classes are small, and we get to talk more than we would in a larger in person class. I also get to connect to people through emails and text messages, and get to know people in a different way. Through my online teaching, I feel I connect with people more. We keep in touch and check in. Being online also gives us access to create communities—my chair yoga classes are attended by people that don’t live in my town. It’s given a way for my family members in different cities to attend my classes, and then invite their friends in different areas. The online yoga space gives us a chance to create our own communities!

Teaching online yoga and taking online classes has opened my world, and expanded my teaching and my practice! I bring all this up to let you know, I understand if you have some doubts about practicing yoga online. I did too, and now I’m so happy I took the plunge and started online learning! You can join me in the AcuYogini Online Membership and try it for yourself! I teach 5 classes a week of Yin, Chair, and Gentle Yoga, and you can attend Live or watch the Replay. I’m offering a new student special this month—CLICK HERE to sign up and use coupon code: FREEMONTH at check out for a free month of yoga!