Interview with Linda Mastromonaco

 Linda Mastromonaco is a gyspy soul with an entrepreneur heart. She has built a successful business in the scrapbooking industry for 23 years and has been sober and single for 28 years! Linda is the author of her autobiography published in 2000 called Rising from the Ruins; A Single Mom Takes Flight. Serving others is her passion and selling is her forte. One of her long-term missions is to be able to provide hope to homeless women in domestic abuse situations with her empowerment cards. When you meet Linda you instantly know she is a giver. She shares God’s love and is extremely grateful for how He has blessed her.  She is also the mother of two wonderful adult children and a very proud Grandmother of 3 “Sweetpea” grandchildren.

 DYM: Where are you from?

Linda: I was born and raised 30 miles east of Pittsburgh in small town Irwin, Pennsylvania.

DYM: Why did you move here…Texas and Pennsylvania are very different? (Smiling)

Linda: I lived in Texas in the mid 80’s and my son was born in San Antonio, so Texas has always held a special place in my heart. The gypsy in me enjoys moving and new surroundings. In 2006, I left my roots where I raised my kids as a single mom and headed to southern California. It was the day after I sold my home and right after my daughter graduated high school. I was fulfilling my teenage dream. In 2012, I left California and went back to a vacation spot from childhood; Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for a season of renewal. After a year and a half, it was time to pack it up again and head to Scottsdale, Arizona where Say It Display It® was born. It was there that I fried my last creative brain cell with the Arizona sun and moved back to California to continue sharing the Say It Display It® way. Today I tell people God has brought me full circle as I return back to my first love…Texas.

DYM: For how long?

Linda: Only God knows. (Laughing)

DYM: Have you always been intrigued by quotes or inspirational sayings?

Linda: I consider myself a self-proclaimed saying’s junkie; gravitating to self-help books and sayings like a magnet. Around the age of 12, I started collecting sayings in a floral, metal recipe box. It was way before the Internet so when I found sayings in books, I wrote them down on index cards with brightly colored markers; color coding and filing them by topic. I made index tabs with color paper and titled them with the topics of the sayings such as relationships, love, life, faith etc. Who knew that 45 years later this childhood passion would become a thriving business.

DYM: That is so incredible you were drawn to the inspirational quotes at such a young age! When did you decide this could be a business?

Linda:  I sat in my favorite overstuffed chair with my feet propped up on the huge ottoman on a gorgeous Sunday evening; January 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona and God spoke to me. Not audibly, though I heard Him speak to me in the depths of my heart and soul. He said “I want you to stop all of the crafty stuff you have been doing. I want you to design a product that would be retail worthy and I want you to go big.” Since I have always been a big picture thinker this message resonated me with excitement and determination.

Up to this point my ‘crafty’ business had been printing 100’s of sayings and quotes that I found on Facebook and Pinterest, matting them with card stock and adhering magnets to them. They were selling like crazy but very handmade looking. Furthermore, the art was not mine which had the potential to infringe on others’ copyrights and I could potentially find myself in some real trouble had I continued this business. Little did I know that the stage was already set for a retail business.

I pulled out an empty black binder, put some notebook paper inside along with dividers to organize my thoughts and started out doing a brain dump; writing down every random new business thought that was swirling around inside my head. The To-Do list grew. Lawyers, researching patents, trademarks, copyrights, packaging and logo design, branding, saying topics, photographers, social media and more.

Jumping in with both feet was how I wanted to fulfill God’s command to me to “go big”. We launched the company at the California gift show in July 2015. A couple Hallmark stores were some of our first accounts! The following year we jumped head on into the National Stationery Show in NYC. It was a financial bust, but we kept on persevering and learning as we went. In 2017, we did a complete overhaul of the packaging and branding. They say Failure is part of Success! 

DYM: Do you create the sayings?

Linda: The sayings are from anonymous, unknown or people who passed on at least 100 years ago. This is the law for using sayings to profit in a commercial way. The backgrounds of all 30 daily inspiration card themed collections are my original art which includes watercolors, acrylics and taking photos with my I phone from the east to the west coast. Our kid theme backgrounds are my grandkids art paintings. We are truly a heart grown business.

DYM: What else makes your product special?

Linda: We have a themed collection of daily inspiration cards for everyone. YOU choose your deck theme based on what you want to focus on whether it be a simple Daily Dose theme, Empowerment, Faith, Success, God, Jesus, Growth, ‘I’ affirmations, Recovery to name a few. Embrace the simple yet significant concept and make it yours! We want you to OWN your inspiration. In your mind, heart, and soul. Each deck comes with 30 different messages and a display stand packaged in a lovely gift box for an all in one inclusive gift.

DYM: Is there a certain way you suggest using the deck?

Linda: Simply play the game ‘Pick One’ each day. Read your message of the day aloud, meditate on it for a minute, and set it on the stand in the front of the deck. Voila! Say It Display It® will fuel your day. It will fuel your month…one day at a time.  We are literally bringing cyber space to in-your-face.

Coaches, teachers, consultants, employees are using our simple concept as ice breakers, conversation starters, displaying on vision boards and motivation for team members. We are cheap therapy!

In addition; if someone would like to be a collector of our Say It Display It® themed collections you can own your own keepsake inspiration box to store and display your messages on the display stand that comes with the box. Each box will house 7 decks or 210 unique sayings. Our themes come in 2 sizes- 4 X 6 or a Mini (business card) size. Coming this Fall we will be introducing our brand new MINI keepsake box to hold and display your mini sayings cards also.

DYM: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Linda: Yes! My all time favorite self-help and sayings guru is Zig Ziglar from Dallas, Texas! Here are a few of my favorites that he is famous for saying:

DYM: Thank you for your time and sharing with us about your inspiring passion. Tell everyone where they can find you.

www.Sayitdisplayit.com

Social Media: Facebook, Sayings Junkie’ Facebook Group, Instagram, Pinterest,

Linked In, Google+, Twitter

Amazon, Etsy

Local events:

Grapevine Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 10am to 4pm Liberty Square at Main Street

Holistic Fair at Billy Bob’s & Oklahoma City- An Affair of the Heart in October.

The post Say It Display It® ‘a heart grown business designed to inspire’ appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

By: “AJ” Amy Jo Crowell, Publisher Dallas Yoga Magazine & Co-Founder Cosmic Yogi Movement

Guru Vishnu on the Ashram’s balcony

I recently returned from a month in Rishikesh, India. It’s difficult for me to put into words the incredible experience I have been blessed with including meeting the kindest Indian people, swimming in the Ganges, petting the roaming street cows, traveling up through the Himalayas, dodging the mango throwing monkeys, the delicious food, my yoga teachers, my fellow yoga students, the ashram, the guru…it all seems like a sweet wonderful dream.

I traveled alone to Rishikesh and it took over 24 hours stopping in Amsterdam and in New Delhi’s airports before finally arriving at a small airport in Rishikesh. I was happy to meet two ladies going to the same ashram at the airport, so it made the trip to our “home away from home” much more pleasant. The taxi driver got lost and couldn’t find the ashram but after stopping to ask the locals where it was he finally maneuvered his way past the cows and monkeys and behind the Police Station to the Samadhi Yoga School.

Rishikesh, India on the Ganges River

My heart warmed when we arrived…this was where I was going to be spending the next month learning Kundalini yoga and meditation. I knew this experience would change my life in ways I couldn’t fathom. We were welcomed with smiles and hugs and were shown to our rooms. After an entire day of travel, I was exhausted and happy I came a day before classes began so I could rest and get acquainted with my surroundings. I was not sure what to expect from a room at an ashram in a 3rd world country, but I was pleasantly surprised by the accommodations. I had a private room with a large bed, a Western style bathroom with hot water, and plenty of drawer space to empty my over packed suitcase. There was Internet, plenty of lighting and an air conditioning unit in my room with a large ceiling fan. Even though I was coming from summer in Dallas, Texas, I was concerned about being overheated because I am used to depending on air conditioning. But my concern turned out to be a non-issue and I kept myself properly hydrated and took time out to sit under fans or in a cool room during my stay.

The beautiful women of India at the Ganges River

Summer time in India is Monsoon season not only includes extremely hot temperatures but also a lot of rain. Since Rishikesh sits at the bottom of the lush Himalaya mountains, the rain isn’t exactly surprising and really wasn’t an issue. The only factor that developed because of the rain was the electricity went out nearly every day. On the bright side, it was only for short periods of time and the ashram had a generator, so we weren’t completely without. It gave me a wonderful opportunity to sit on the balcony with the most breath-taking view of the city, Himalayas and the Ganges. The evening views were gorgeous with the mountains turning purple and the buildings in the distance glowing with lights. To add to the calmness was the chanting started in the early evening. One of the temples had their chanting on loud speakers and it echoed through the entire valley through the businesses, homes and up the mountain side. It was mesmerizing, and you could hear it everywhere. This was one my favorite traditions of the culture. They were spreading love and peace with their vibrations to everyone in the world.

Classes started the day after arriving with a demanding schedule starting at 4:30am in the morning. Meditation started at 5am with Vishnu, the Ashram’s Guru. He was the most endearing person I have ever met. When Vishnu would smile at you, you could feel the love from him flowing to you. His presence warmed my heart. He sincerely wanted to teach each one of us the proper way to meditate. Vishnu spent time with everyone adjusting our backs, our shoulders, our chins and showing us how to fold blankets to get just the right amount of lift for our butts so we had the proper posture. Everyone had different adjustments and he made sure we understood and continued with the correct posture in the following days. When Vishnu’s mother was there, he would bring her for meditation before we began early in the morning. He would sit with her while they both meditated together. I realized what a special connection to have between a mother and son…the gift of meditating together and just being.

Samadhi Ashram with Guru Vishnu

I was so happy to be at the Samadhi Ashram. Vishnu has other sister-Ashrams like the World Peace Yoga School where he is the Guru, but Samadhi is where he lives with his wife and children. It’s where his brother, other family members and the volunteers for the Ashrams lived. Staying with these beautiful Indian people in their home was a rare experience and I am truly blessed they welcomed me.

After morning meditation, we began a day packed with lectures, classes, pranayama and meditations.  There were 21 students at the Ashram with 6 of us working on our Kundalini Yoga Certification. I was surprised to find that only a couple of us were living in the United States. Our group was comprised of yogis from all over the world with backgrounds and religious beliefs just as diverse. There were people from Japan, England, Mexico, Canada, India, Norway, Switzerland, Cambodia, Germany and Dominican Republic.  The group was energizing with all of us supporting and encouraging each other on the days when we were completely exhausted.

My schedule included Anatomy, Yoga History, Kundalini History, Kundalini (Yogi Bajan Style), Pranayama Class, Adjustment and Alignment class, Meditation Techniques, Asana Class along with our yoga and meditation practice classes. The Kundalini yoga certification program was just created and it was called the “Warrior Program.” I quickly found out it was because we were completing our 200 hour certification in 18 days. That meant most days we were attending class, lectures etc. 12 hours or more a day. Like I said, we started our first meditation at 5am. We had approximately 2 hours off during the day and we had class sometimes until after 8pm at night. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done but it was also one of the most rewarding. I’m 54 years old…the oldest at the Ashram…but that didn’t stop me! I kept up with everyone and my classes and did everything the other students did.  Even when we were all ready to collapse, we encouraged each other, pushed each other and were there for each other. I will always treasure the bonds and friendships I made there.

AJ with teacher Rohit Kumar at Samadhi Ashram

Two of my favorite teachers were my Kundalini teachers. The most wonderful part of Samadhi’s Kundalini teachings were the different perspectives both teachers offered. Rohit Kumar was one of these teachers, we nick named him the “Silver Fox” because he was so handsome and adorable. His laugh filled the room every day with a relaxing light heartedness. Rohit’s class entailed lessons from the book “Kundalini Tantra” written by his Guru, Swami Satyananda Saraswati. It was beautiful when he talked about his Guru, he glowed with excitement when he shared lessons he had learned from him. Rohit wanted us to understand the basics of Kundalini, the meaning, the awakenings, in-depth knowledge of the chakras and the symbolism in Sanskrit pictures and words. We practiced ancient pranayama practices associated with Kundalini and how to have a solid personal Sadhana program when we left the Ashram. He explained it was important for us to start by focusing on one chakra a month (maybe longer) and then moving on to the next. Usually the Sadhana would continue for eight months to give each chakra special attention. There were Kriyas to learn, very precise pranayamas, mudras and so much more. Rohit was filled with so much information and he wanted to enlighten as much as possible to help us grow spiritually. We talked greatly about the chakras and he commented, “In our various incarnations we have developed different chakras. If when you practice concentration on the chakras, you feel one chakra more than the others, it means that from that point your evolution is to begin.” Rohit also stated he did not believe in calling “Kundalini” a yoga. He explained technically the yoga of Kundalini was a combination of a variety of yogas including Hatha, so he believed you shouldn’t separate Kundalini from the other forms of yoga. He believes Kundalini should be presented as a “teaching” not a yoga.

Selfie! AJ with teacher Amarjit Singh

Another favorite Kundalini teacher was Amarjit Singh. He was an American whose journey lead him to becoming a Sikh, teaching Kundalini, and traveling the world. Amarjit taught the Yogi Bhajan style of Kundalini yoga. It’s the style Yogi Bhajan brought to the United States in the late 1960’s and most of the Western world practices this style of Kundalini to this day. His story of letting go of his materialistic life in America and leaving it behind to seek more was inspiring. He challenged us to ask ourselves “What is the most complete way to express my true nature?” His classes consisted of practicing the kriyas, chanting sacred mantras, seemingly non-stop breath of fire and postures. Even when my arms felt like they were going to fall off, his words of encouragement kept me going. Kundalini is known as the yoga of awareness, as a result, the students often find themselves bursting out in tears or laughing uncontrollably. It all happened…everyone had their moments of release leading to a new level of “awareness.” Amarjit was very accepting of where each of us was with our practice. He would say, “Don’t listen to the mind when it tells you not to do it. Just go do it. The more you repeat this to yourself the more fear goes away.” He explained the importance of the Eight Limbs of Yoga given to us by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. The Ten Bodies were also presented to us with Yogi Bahajan explaining it best as, “If you understand that you are Ten Bodies, and you are aware of those Ten Bodies, and you keep them in balance, the whole Universe will be in balance with you.”

An array of students from all over the world.

One of the most difficult classes was Pranayama class. The class was scheduled after an hour of Kundalini yoga, I was worn out and feeling that “Kundalini High” when I went. The teacher was very knowledgeable, but it was challenging keeping up with all the breath work.  I learned many variations and styles of pranayama it was well worth the effort. I was amazed when I learned breathing exercises in the heat of India that sent cooling breaths throughout my body and made me forget the outside temperature. Learning how to balance feminine and masculine energies through intense pranayama was a huge gift to my practice. I have continued to practice more pranayama in my daily sadhana and it continues to bring a calmness to my inner self.

During the Alignment and Adjustment class, I realized I was not doing my Warrior Poses correctly. I had been doing these poses for years and had never been corrected. My hip was not in alignment with my body. I was pushing my hip to one side and I was completely out of alignment. What a difference that small adjustment made to my practice! Learning to focus more on proportionately distributing the pressure on my feet and hands also improved my balance and posture significantly.

One of my favorite meditations was the single-pointed meditation using a lit candle. I had heard about this type of meditation before, but I had never experienced it or learned the techniques to get the most out of it. I realize staring at a candle flame for a long period of time seems a little odd to most of the Western world, but it was a mind-blowing experience. The calm, peaceful, relaxation that ensued was so amazing I knew this meditation would be a practice I would share with others.

Vishnu preparing for closing ceremony at Samadhi

After 18 days, cramming to study, taking 4 tests, going to countless classes, pushing my body to an extreme, practicing new techniques to calm my body and mind it all came to an end. I had made it through the course and became a certified 200 hour Kundalini instructor. Something I never thought I would ever have accomplished….let alone at 54 years old! My heart could not be filled with more gratitude for my new friends, the teachers, the ashram, Vishnu and Swing. I was not ready to leave but I reminded myself there is always a next time.

My adventure to Rishikesh, India and Samadhi Ashram was extraordinary. Everything about the trip was special and exciting. I ponder how the people of India are so friendly and welcoming when many are living in extreme poverty. They seem to be much happier than many who are living in first world countries with every luxury imaginable.  Many in India don’t often have electricity or clean water, yet they would stop to lend a hand or offer you what they had. I experienced this first hand. A foreign female in a very strange land just didn’t feel strange at all. I felt the flow of love everywhere from the Great Ganges to the gurus, sages, temples, ashrams and shop owners…there was a continuous unforgettable out pour of love.

I love India.

If you are interested in Samadhi Ashram:

Contact “AJ” Amy Jo Crowell by emailing aj@.

Click here to view Samadhi’s website.

Picture of AJ dotted goes here

About the Author:

Publisher of Dallas Yoga Magazine and Co-Founder of Cosmic Yogi Movement and Festivals, “AJ” Amy Jo Crowell, has been in advertising, marketing, publishing and large-scale event planning for over 20 years. AJ printed a weekly entertainment guide throughout Texas for many years. For the last decade, AJ has been teaching inner city Dallas high school students. She implemented Peace Makers classes and taught the importance of acceptance, diversity and giving back to the community. She is also the “Best Selling Author” of Loved Back to Life, a book focusing on recovery from addictions. AJ is a certified Kundalini yoga instructor and leads sound meditations with crystal singing bowls.

More fun pictures!

The post India: My Experiences appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

By: Marie Williams, Dallas Yoga Magazine Writer

Yoga is about so much more than “pretty postures” and being able to twist, bend and move our bodies into unique, yet eloquent poses. Arm balances require core as well as upper body strength and look beautiful when done correctly. This aspect fascinated me to the point of always wanting to learn a new one. Once I saw the arm balance being done, I would make mental notes of the steps to completing that arm balance and would often practice after class was over. At home, I practiced daily, falling, but eager to nail the posture. During this process, my “thinking mind” was speeding ahead full throttle. I could never just relax into any pose and enjoy it because I was too busy thinking about how it should look.

That was three years ago.

Today, my intention for practicing yoga is based on the experiences I have and reflecting upon them after each class. The sensations I feel, passing thoughts I may have, the instructor’s cues, choice of music and the energy from other yogis all contribute to my overall experience. On days when I feel heavy in both mind and body, I seek to surrender such thoughts and feelings to my mat. I try to allow myself the space to feel as deeply as I need to, so that I can receive from the class what the Universe wishes me to have. No matter the type of day I am having, this renewed intention provides me more positive experiences, chockfull of valuable life lessons.

When a yoga practitioner has developed his/her practice enough to “honor the body” he/she has chosen to take the necessary yoga or fitness classes without overdoing it. The individual will take a few days to rest in between practices and workouts. This yogi will be strategic, yet creative with how he/she chooses to put class combinations together, based on what the person feels is needed at that time. My method of practice was opposite of this structure. I almost burned out, completely.

I have always had a high level of energy, mostly from playing competitive tennis and running. I carried this energy into my yoga practice and for a year and a half, blew through many classes quickly. Of course, I was taking difficult class combinations such as a high intensity interval class, a hot yoga class, followed up by a Flow class. I did not necessarily follow this order, but I took three classes, all in one day over a period of several months. I gained muscle, got stronger in my arms and legs, and became leaner and more toned. However, these results came at a costly price.

On days that I chose to take three classes. I noticed that after I had taken the last class, I felt much more exhausted than when I only took two-class combinations. Upon my arrival home, I would crash for four to five hours in bed, due to extreme fatigue. On a weekly basis, I would go to the studio four to five days a week, averaging about eight to twelve classes. Seeing this pattern, my yoga instructors quickly became worried about both my mental and physical health. I was compromising my own personal safety, as well as my body. I rarely took days off to rest and when I did, it was only for a day or two, when I should have been taking at least three days to fully recover. I just wanted to practice as much as possible, but I had become reckless in my pursuit of good exercise.

I practice about twice a week now, only taking two-class combinations. I try to take three or four days to completely rest before restarting workouts and practices. I also stretch at home in between these yoga/fitness classes. My selections of class combinations are based on what I specifically need that day. Examples of ideal class combinations would be: two Powerful Flow classes at BSY Dallas or a Power Flow class followed by a Barre Band class at SunstoneFIT. I also like hot yoga chased up with an intense 45-minute Pilates class.

At the beginning of my yoga journey, I had a hard time focusing on anything having to do with the present. During yoga classes, I would be thinking about other things that did not have to do with yoga. As a result, I was constantly distracted and not dialed in to what the instructor was explaining through the posture cues. Looking back, my past monkey mind caused me to miss out on so much. At that time, I had no idea how important staying in the present was for my practice. I just struggled with the concept of being able to focus for 60 minutes.

Right now, keeping my mind from futuristic thinking is the challenge. Since I have a variety of postures in my asana practice, I am confident in my ability to do them when cued. Sometimes, I start thinking about how particular postures “should look” if done correctly. I might even catch myself moving ahead of a cued sequence if it has been done before in a previous Flow class. I must remind myself I am here to feel and experience, not to think or accomplish anything.

One aspect of my yoga practice that helps to keep me more rooted is meditation infused into the actual Flow class. These days, yoga instructors are realizing the importance of making sure yogis are grounded, relaxed and calm so they can set an intention for their practice. Meditation is generally done at both the beginning and end of class, but I find that if I am centered and at peace from within before I start, the various meditation techniques help class flow smoother. This allows me to truly enjoy each aspect, right up to Savasana Pose, where I can go into a deeper, meditative state, followed up with heavier breathing.

Early on in my practice, my ego was the true driving force behind everything I did. I took many classes several days a week and pushed myself beyond what I should have because I felt I needed to accomplish so much so fast, mostly learning advanced arm balances at the studio and then practicing them every day at home.

At SunstoneFIT, wristbands are given out each time any yogi meets a specific number of classes. There are eight total wristbands and each one represents a set number: 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 350 and 500. I was able to earn the first six wristbands easily because I was averaging a wristband a month. The last two were a bit more difficult for me to earn because I had a right wrist injury two years ago this month that eventually led to surgery. In October of 2016, I received the 350-class wristband. I finally earned my 500th class wristband last April. It took me one year and eleven months to get all eight. I am that yogi who wears all her wristbands to every class, whether involving fitness or yoga!

At the beginning of my practice, I had no idea what I was doing. I would always look at other students, watching them so that I could figure out what to do. I figured that if I could copy what these students did, I would be successful in my attempts to learn the various postures. This “copycat yoga” worked for a while, but as I advanced within my practice, I soon realized that by copying other yogis, I was establishing a comparison between myself and everyone else. I felt that if what I was doing did not look like what everyone else was doing, I was doing the postures wrong. I started comparing myself to other strong yogis, which in turn, stunted my growth.

At over 750 classes, I know that what I do on my mat does not need to look like what my neighbor is doing next to me. We are all different shapes and sizes with varying body types. I am 4’10 and 95 pounds, so a posture will look quite different if I am doing it versus someone else a little taller or heavier. No one is focusing on me and during class, I am not focusing on anyone else. I do not need to compare myself to any other yogi and have eliminated “copycat yoga” from my practice. I no longer depend on it to learn new postures or get through classes.

It has taken time, but I have managed to drop my ego because in hindsight, I noticed that it hindered me mentally and physically. I did things I should never have been doing and formed bad habits within my practice that took time to break and release from. I no longer have the attitude of feeling that I need to master a bunch of poses. I have many different arm balances and even a few inversions in my practice. There are two that I have chosen to exclude: Shoulder Stand and Plow Poses. The first inversion brings out my anxiety because I have discovered I do not feel comfortable being inverted upright. I am satisfied not including these specific postures in my practice because yoga should work to keep me relaxed and anxiety-free, not add to it.

It is easy for me to take yoga classes when I am in a good mood, physically feeling well and mentally in the zone. Unfortunately, every day is different and there are some days where I am not feeling well, mentally overwhelmed or just in a funk of some sort. When I am experiencing situations such as these, I remind myself everything is temporary, physical sensations will pass and to practice from my heart and not my head. It is at these times that I fully surrender everything to my mat.

One of the first things I surrender are my thoughts and emotions. Since negative thinking decreases our joy and makes receiving love difficult, whatever has me feeling upset is the first to go. I find that when I come to the mat angry or sad, I am gentler with my body, more selective with my choice of postures and take longer to recover in Child’s Pose. A long Savasana follows because rest is essential if I come to the mat already emotionally and mentally worn down.

Anxiety is a part of my life and serves as a teacher, rather than a setback. Through yoga and meditation, it is kept neutralized. Every now and then, I will have a bit of nervous energy before a class. Immediately, I tap into the deep breathing exercises done at the beginning of class so that I can settle into each posture, including any stretches done towards the end. I always feel better at the closing of class because breathing can do wonders for the body and mind.

Sometimes, my emotions are just so strong that I must release them by quietly crying, which I do in a Child’s Pose. This does not happen often, but on occasion, a good cry helps me tremendously. By releasing any pent-up emotions, the healing process becomes more effective for my body and mind.

At the start of my practice, my emotions controlled much of what I did on the mat. I wanted to stick every posture I attempted and would get frustrated if I fell out of the posture or could not hold it for that long. Being off balance and wobbly within specific postures such as Half Moon Pose (Warrior III) or Eagle Pose agitated me because I did not like the fact that I had not acquired steady balance. There were times I even missed cues altogether because I had no idea what the instructor was cueing, having never heard of the posture before. The lesson of acceptance helps to keep me honest both on and off the mat. It has not been an easy lesson to learn, but it had been one of the most important.

On the mat, I am practicing in that present moment for myself. When I fall out of postures, I just get back into them and continue with the sequence. Struggling with my balance is just an indicator that I may need to shift my gaze a bit and go inside to better focus. When I miss cues, all I can do is laugh at myself because usually, I am on the wrong side when everyone else is on the correct side! It is at these moments that I cannot take myself or my practice so seriously; laughing out loud makes it all worthwhile!

In life, acceptance is tougher to practice because we yogis have an idealized concept of how we think something should be or how a situation should work out. When the opposite of what we envision happens, sometimes, we are left confused or disappointed. Embracing the struggle mentally and emotionally does more good because by doing so, we are allowing our minds and bodies to be refined so that we can perform at our beset when we need to. My feelings and emotions no longer dominate my yoga practices because I know how to subdue them with deep breathing, to feel deeply is to be at peace with where I am and that all my emotions are temporary.

The most important concept that can be applied to everything is that of unconditional love. Without it, mankind cannot live a healthy, balanced or peaceful life. This love allows us yogis to both feel and connect on deep, intense levels.

I had to realize that I could not possibly seek to love others unless I could first love myself. Self-love had to start with me; I had to change my thoughts about how I viewed myself physically. I had to re-write new scripts to replace the old ones that left me feeling doubtful and insecure about myself and my future. I had to establish a belief that change was possible in all aspects of my life. Learning how to love myself and all the novel and quirky aspects of my personality truly helped me appreciate the yogi I already was and the yogi I was still destined to develop into and become.

By learning how to love ourselves, loving others becomes so much easier. We seek harmonious relationships with everyone. There is joy in being around other like-minded people, especially yogis. A special sense of satisfaction is gained by sending a text message, e-mail or simply greeting someone with a hug. Loving vibes and positive energy promote an abundance of superior quality in all things.

I enjoy receiving nice gifts, which are mostly acts of love by other close yogi friends; moreover, I prefer to give out love to my friends and those I am close to rather than only receive. What I have found is that what I give out, the Universe supplies back to me at times when I least expect it. A friend I have been thinking about will text me or I will run into someone I have not seen in a long time. I enjoy giving my time to my yogi friends through taking classes with or from them and tea dates at various coffee shops. Yogis are truly some of the nicest people to spend time with because regardless of what their past story is, they are always ready to add a new chapter to it and create something beautiful to share with everyone around them.

Lately, I have been focusing my attention on establishing an attitude of gratitude and always having a grateful heart. Being thankful for all that I have been blessed with as well as those blessings on the way, keeps me from dwelling on past negative experiences or worse, thinking negative thoughts. When we take the time out to be grateful, whether through meditation or prayer, we keep an increased flow of all things good coming our way. The Universe recognizes this by allowing a perfect alignment of abundance to freely and consistently flow to us.

Although, I have only been practicing yoga for three years and two months, these six lessons have proved valuable for my personal growth not only as a yogi, but as a young woman just beginning to feel comfortable in her new skin. Honoring my body, staying present, dropping my ego, surrendering to the mat, acceptance within my practice on and off the mat and loving unconditionally, continue to help balance out my life. I am better able to enjoy all areas of my life, learn from others, bless them and most importantly, grow. As busy as I am, there is never a dull moment!

Contact Information:

Marie Williams

marie@.

The post Six Things Practicing Yoga Has Taught Me appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

By: “AJ” Amy Jo Crowell, Publisher Dallas Yoga Magazine & Co-Founder Cosmic Yogi Festivals

There is something to say about having positive energy in a yoga studio. You know what I’m talking about. The studios you walk into and you are instantly hit with a calm, friendly, relaxing sensation. It’s like you stepped into another dimension. Everyone seems to be having fun and laughing even though they are struggling and challenging themselves with their asanas.

“For a while, I took myself so seriously, and then I realized that no one seemed to be smiling in any of the classes I was teaching.  I relaxed, started having fun and smiled more at my students. The energy changed dramatically and now my students smile during class!”   Angie, Yoga Instructor, Dallas, Texas

“My favorite yoga teachers are the ones I know will crack me up and flash me their pearly whites during class. Let’s face facts, the more fun and laughter you have in class, the more you are going to go back to that studio and seek out that teacher.” Nancy, Yoga Enthusiast, Fort Worth, Texas

“Having friendly, fun, loving yoga teachers is the key to giving our yogi clients the best possible experience in our studio.” Camry, Studio Manager, Irving, Texas

We know there are many health benefits to practicing yoga asanas. It keeps your body flexible, reduces anxiety, keeps your blood flowing to improve your immune system, lowers blood pressure, assists in reducing stress hormones, builds muscle strength and the breath work builds strong lungs.

Believe it or not…the same benefits are true for laughter! Yes, practicing yoga asanas and laughing have many of the same benefits.  So, if you are laughing during yoga class…you are doubling your benefits and doubling your fun!

The following are 5 Tips for Adding More Laughter to Your Classes & Community

Fun, Light Hearted Teachers

One of the more popular teachers that I know said to me, “I crack myself up in class all the time!  I have fun with my students, but I still expect them to do their best.” Jason, Yoga Instructor, Plano, Texas

“One of the most important lessons I have learned in yoga is not to take myself too seriously, I learned to laugh at myself.” Cindy, Yoga Instructor, Garland, Texas

The goal of yoga studios owners should be to find the entertaining and enjoyable teachers who really connect with the students. This keeps the yogis coming back and they often bring their friends.

Positive Environment

I’ve been to many studios over the years and every now and then run into someone behind the desk or a manager who isn’t very helpful or is talking or texting on their phone. They seem put out by answering questions and offering suggestions. A first impression of a person or a business is formed in the first 10 seconds. You never get another opportunity to make a first impression. Stand out from the rest in a positive way with smiles and a genuine helpful attitude.

Remind Your Students to Smile!

Often in class during extra hard poses, everyone seems to have overly seriously looks on their faces. Sometimes just taking a few seconds to remind yogis to relax and lighten up will help them nail their pose or reach that extra inch.

Laughter: Breath Work

Laughing is an incredible way to bring breath work to your own personal practice and to your class. I had the opportunity to be in a Laughter Yoga Class with about 200 other yogis. I have never laughed so hard for so long. I was gasping for air during my bouts of laughter and my stomach muscles actually hurt the next day!  It was the most amazing breath work I have ever experienced and the most fun!

Connect Students with Each Other

When yogis feel connected to a studio and teacher they become more dedicated to their practice. Create a sense of community with the students in classes. Have a way for the students to connect after class with tea or cookies. Hold special events where the students get closer to not only the other yogis but the teachers, owners and managers. There are so many hilarious yoga events created all the time. Such as Goat Yoga, Beer Yoga, Glow in the Dark Yoga, 80s Yoga, Elvis Yoga….there are way to many to name. Be clever and come up with your own unique ideas that will bring your yogis to the classes. This creates a community and your community will continue to grow if you water it with love, laughter and fun!

Remember, humor and joy bring laughter to yoga classes and benefit not only your student’s health but your yoga class and business.

About the “AJ” Amy Jo Crowell:

Publisher of Dallas Yoga Magazine and Co-Founder of Cosmic Yogi Movement and Festivals, AJ Crowell, has been in advertising, marketing, publishing and large-scale event planning for over 20 years. AJ printed a weekly entertainment guide throughout Texas for many years. For the last decade, AJ has been teaching inner city Dallas high school students. She implemented Peace Makers classes and taught the importance of acceptance, diversity and giving back to the community. She is also the “Best Selling Author” of Loved Back to Life, a book focusing on recovery from addictions. AJ is a certified Kundalini yoga instructor and leads sound meditations with crystal singing bowls. You can reach her at aj@.

The post Laughter & Asanas: Benefits to Adding More Fun to Classes appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

By: Meera Watts

Yoga was designed centuries ago to help us tap into our mental and physical strength. This is done in a variety of ways. Our deep inner core isn’t always easy to tap into. There are very few poses in workouts that get right to the core. It’s important for us to do it though. It is what wraps all of our abdominal organs together so that they stay in place. A weak core can cause hernias because it allows the organs to protrude outside of the abdominal walls. Yoga may be seen as gentle but it includes many deep core exercises that don’t impact the rest of your body.

When it comes to your personal power, yoga helps with that too. You learn a variety of skills that motivate you to nurture yourself. Nurturing yourself can mean a lot of things. You have to nurture your personal goals, the true things you want in life. Yoga and all the practices that go along with it help keep you on your path so you get more of what you want. You’re far less inclined to give up on something you care about.

Yoga includes a lot of different breathing techniques that are more powerful than you may realize. I have been practicing breath of fire daily for over a year. I don’t have back pain anymore and I attribute to the strength of my deep core muscle. It’s a diaphragm breath that takes some time to master but once you do, you’ll experience how much your core muscles are worked during this exercise. You’ll be able to more breaths as time goes on but at first, your body feels out of its comfort zone. It’s a brand new way to work on your stomach muscles. It does create a deep strength there that is necessary and because you’re just breathing into your back body and sitting there, it doesn’t bother other parts of your body like other core exercises do.

Most people fear doing plank. It isn’t something we’ve practiced much as adults because it’s challenging. We use our own body weight to keep us hovering on our hands and feet. If we wanted to experience this kind of grueling exercise, we would have joined the army for boot camp training. It has a lot of benefits though and is often used many times in yoga. It’s an igniting pose that gives you upper and lower body strength. It’s a connection at the core so it works your core when you engage it. You’ll actually find when you engage your core, it’s easier to manage this pose. When you do regular yoga practices, you’ll quickly notice how much stronger you are in Plank Pose. This will give you a sense of self-empowerment because you’re rocking a seriously powerful pose.

There are a few poses within the warrior series in yoga and getting into them automatically makes you feel powerful. As you pull your arms out to either side of you while stretching out your legs, you feel like you’re aiming for things you want while letting go of what you don’t want. Your whole body may shake in this pose when you first get to know it. Again, when you practice regularly, you’ll start engaging your muscles in all the right places and releasing tension. You can go deeper into the poses and start engaging your core for more stability. Our core is always available to do some hard work. When you engage it in poses like Warrior 1 or Warrior 2, you alleviate pressure from your back. Those core muscles are far stronger than your back muscles so use them whenever you can.

With many of the poses in yoga, you’re capable of engaging your core. As you go through the practice, you will become more mindful of your body. You’ll begin to engage your core, your glutes, and your hamstrings to protect other parts of the body. Through the lessons you’ll learn from your yoga teachers, you’ll begin to breathe properly too. This breathing helps you to create a more meaningful practice which will make the poses more beneficial for you. Another gift of yoga is being mindful of what you say to yourself.

The ego is constantly chattering to you about what’s happening in your life. It is often unkind and can steal away confidence and personal power. This is where mindfulness comes in. It really doesn’t matter what you’ve accomplished in your life. What you’ve done right or what you’ve done wrong. You are a part of this universe and you are equally precious as the most accomplished person here on earth. You are important, unique, and wonderful. When you shut off the little voice in your head that tries to convince you otherwise, you begin to get a sense of personal power you didn’t have before.

With a daily practice, yoga can help you feel motivated because you feel good about yourself. You will grow a strong core just from doing other poses that are always asking the core to engage. It may not feel like your traditional ab workout but in a way, it’s better. As long as you’re mindful enough to engage your core to protect other parts of your body, you’ll experience a greater strength in your abs.

All About the Author:

Meera Watts is a yoga teacher, entrepreneur and mom. Her writing on yoga and holistic health has appeared in Elephant Journal, CureJoy, FunTimesGuide, OMtimes and others. She’s also the founder and owner of SiddhiYoga.com, a yoga teacher training school based in Singapore. Siddhi Yoga runs intensive, residential trainings in India (Rishikesh, and Dharamshala), Indonesia (Bali). You can take a look at her website here.

Website:  https://www.siddhiyoga.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/siddhiyogaacademy

Instagram: https://instagram.com/siddhiyogainternational

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/siddhiyogainter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/meerawatts

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meerawatts

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/siddhiyogateachertraining

The post How Yoga can Improve Your Core Strength & Personal Power appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

Juan Johnson is an incredibly creative and talented yogi. We have had the pleasure of getting to know him over the last year. He is passionate about his practice and often includes his daughter in his yogi and meditation adventures. We are so thrilled to introduce you to Juan Johnson and his inspirational insights.

DYM: Are you originally from Dallas?

Juan:  Yes, Born and raised.

DYM: How do people react or what do they say when you tell them you are a yoga teacher?

Juan: They do a double take and make sure they heard me right and ask, “wait, did you say yoga?” (Laughing)

DYM: Do you have another career?

Juan: I market hemp oil and am the chapter leader for Hip Hop Is Green in Dallas. A non-profit that promotes health & wellness as the 10th element of Hip Hop.

DYM: You are so diversified! What prompted you to attend your first yoga class?

Juan: In all honesty, I was trying…like many, to measure up to the calorie, scale, body fat meters out there and tried my first yoga class at Equinox. A teacher by the name of Leslie Storms said, “This isn’t show off yoga here, we’re not here to compete with each other.” Her energy made me look past all the popular and trendy stereotypes of yoga.

DYM: How did that lead you to becoming a yoga instructor?

Juan: I started taking classes at DYC (Dallas Yoga Center) because of the variety of classes they had. One day while looking at their website, I saw there was a scholarship opportunity and was rewarded a partial scholarship which blew my mind! So I was able to get my certification.

DYM: What certifications do you have now?

Juan: I have a RYT200 in Yoga and a RYT300 in meditation.

DYM: A 300 hour in meditation! That’s incredible! Do you have a preferred style of yoga you practice?

Juan: I like different styles including Kundalini, Astanga and good ole Vipassana.

DYM: Can you explain Vipassana to us?

Juan: Vipassana means to see things as they really are. It is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and it is a way of self-transformation through self-observation.

DYM: Does your family and friends support your yoga dedication?

Juan: To my surprise YES! Although, I still want more of them to try yoga many of the ones I thought would not be supportive, were the main ones.

DYM: What can someone expect when they go to your class for the first time?

Juan: People can expect an experience that fits them. I aim for a fun class with or without music depending on the audience. I aim for teaching something beginners and seasoned practitioners can enjoy alike. VIBE. COMMUNITY. FUN.

DYM: What do you want your students to accomplish or “take away” from your class?

Juan: I want them to take away any new observations they’ve experienced on the mat or in the room and take that into their day to day life and apply them.

DYM: What advice would you give someone thinking about becoming a yoga instructor?

Juan:  Find your inner voice and always stay a student. Don’t get overwhelmed by the journey but know that you are ready and your students will be also.

DYM: What was the biggest hurdle you have had in your personal yoga practice?

Juan: Being intimidated and hurt from a shoulder injury. I remember not even graduating the RYT program and having an injured shoulder. That actually made me a better student because I understand those with injuries. It made me go slow and learn way more.

DYM: What was the biggest hurdle you have had as a yoga teacher?

Juan: Sticking to it and not giving up. There were lots of places that I was supposed to teach but the classes didn’t end up happening. I showed up regardless and that brought me my current teaching jobs.

DYM: What are some of the biggest changes you see in yourself since you started practicing?

Juan: The biggest change is I am more aware of things. I used to hide from myself or ignore things. Today, I cherish my time spent meditating or in practice because it is sacred to me. Honestly, I don’t remember who I was before I started doing yoga. I’m still learning the new or “re-me”.

DYM: Sometimes humorous situations happen in class. Can you think of something that you have seen or experienced that made you laugh?

Juan: Too many to name!!!!!!!!! What happens in yoga class…stays in yoga class…that’s where I’ll leave it. (Laughing)

DYM: Do you have any favorite mantras you use?

Juan: Yes, Wahe Guru.

DYM: Do you have other practices you add or incorporate with yoga to enhance your practice?

Juan: Meditation, for sure, has enhanced my practice. I have a stone collection I just started. Kundalini, Yoga Nidra, and Sound Immersion have been my favorites lately though. And I also love using hemp oil for recovery and before meditation.

DYM: If you had to use one word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?

Juan: Loving. At the end of the day, no matter how crazy this world gets. I always return to love.

DYM: That’s beautiful. If you could be on the cover of Time Magazine, what would be the reason? Juan: Meditation over Medication. The great divide. How Juan Johnson changed the mental health industry using yoga.

DYM: Very creative! What advice would you give someone new to yoga?

Juan: Do and find what feels good to your body. Let it be challenging, but don’t let it scare you. There is no wrong way to do it. Just find the space that allows you to be you.

DYM: Let everyone know where they can find you.

Juan: Currently, private classes and every Wed at Diana’s School of Yoga from 6:30-8:00pm. I am also creating Spanish classes to teach in the Oak Cliff area.

DYM: What else would you like to share about yourself?

Juan: That I make health & wellness videos for the Spanish community and mix in Hip Hop in much of the content that I produce. It’s all on my youtube Juan Johnson Video. So, please google VEGAN GIN & JUICE aka GREENS AND FRUITS.

Get in Touch with Juan Johnson:

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: @chakrazuma

The post Juan Johnson: Vibe, Community & Fun appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

Introduction by: “AJ” Amy Jo Crowell, Publisher Dallas Yoga Magazine & Co-Founder Cosmic Yogi Festival

I have been so blessed to have seen Amma in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex several times over the years. I look forward to seeing her during her American tour to be hugged and blessed by this magnificent Indian woman. The intense energy that exudes from Amma as she hugs you and whispers a mantra in your ear is a feeling I have only felt with Amma. The energy she shares with her hugs is freeing but at the same time overwhelming. I have had to sit down immediately because I was light headed but I also wanted to take the time to embrace the sweet feeling of pure love she radiates. I was in India this year during Amma’s visit to the metroplex, so I missed her, but her visit was one that made a lasting impression on thousands.

“If we penetrate deeply into all aspects and all areas of life, we will find that hidden behind everything is love. We will discover that love is the force, the power and inspiration behind every word and every action. This applies to all people, irrespective of race, caste, creed, sect, religion or of what work people do.”

– Amma

The following is Amma’s message she shared on International Yoga Day this year.

Yoga is the means of awakening the infinite strength within, by training the body, mind and intellect properly, and of realizing one’s full potential. Yoga helps us become more efficient in worldly life. It enhances our health, sense of well-being, and sensitivity to values. For these reasons, the relevance and popularity of yoga, which can combat lifestyle and psychological diseases that are becoming more and more prevalent today, are increasing by the day. Every Indian can take pride in the fact that yoga was born and sprouted in Indian soil.

Many people ask what is so special about yoga compared with other forms of exercise. Any form of exercise confers innumerable benefits to body and mind. However, the benefits that arise from doing yoga far surpass those gained from other kinds of exercise. Most exercises rely on rapid bodily movements to reduce fat and develop muscle. In contrast, yoga aims to relax all parts of the body and to direct the energy of prana (vital force) in the correct directions. It improves the health of all organs, including glands, and alleviates disease. It purifies nerves. It strengthens the mind and boosts one’s power of concentration. It relaxes and strengthens muscles. Yoga is more effective than other exercise regimens in reducing depression and helping to maintain a cheerful disposition.

Unlike other exercises, yoga asanas (postures) are practiced slowly, paying attention to the breathing.  At the same time, one must observe every movement of the body with utmost awareness. In this way, one can make the mind serene and foster the experience of meditative stillness. Thus, yoga benefits body and mind equally.

Unlike other exercises, it is not enough to practice yoga for just one or two hours daily. If a person afflicted with a critical illness wants to recover, he must, in addition to taking medicines, follow a particular diet and get sufficient rest and sleep. Likewise, in order to gain the full benefits of yoga, we must lead a disciplined and value-based life. By practicing yoga mindfully, we will be able to do each and every action in life with awareness. In this way, we can bring about positive changes to our thoughts and emotions. Gradually, we can gain more concentration in our meditation and eventually attain Self-realization.

Yoga promotes the message of a healthy life as well as inner and outer purity. It upholds the message of a unity that transcends creed, and ahimsa (non-violence) towards all beings. For these reasons, promoting yoga will foster love and solidarity in society and peace in the world. May humanity be able to attain ever higher physical, mental and spiritual levels of wellness through yoga.

-Amma

Find out more about Amma and her tours:

https://www.amritapuri.org

The post Message from Amma: The Hugging Saint appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

By: Nena Watkins, Lac, Licensed Acupuncturist

Yoga is a funny thing!  Sometimes people injure themselves doing too much in class, sometimes things hurt because they didn’t do enough.  There are numerous types of yoga and they all have their pros and cons.  However, pain is not usually expected. People become discouraged when their physical discomfort keeps them from enjoying the breath and mindfulness of their yoga routine. However, there is help!

Some poses may be great for your legs but too much for your shoulders, like downward dog.  Everyone is different, and with an injury, every pose can feel different.  Even after poses seem easy and wonderful, a new pose can use new muscles and you can feel like a beginner all over again.  Yoga is about listening to your body.  When it hurts, we need to listen.

Often people injure themselves doing something else, like moving, then find yoga painful.  It’s hard to know which poses will help your knee pain, or hip pain, or ankle pain.  And if a pose hurts, people can feel awkward not doing it in class, so they stop going for a little while, which turns into a long time.  What we think is a short-term injury can last so long it becomes long-term, and yoga becomes a thing of our pasts.

Whether you have stopped the yoga you loved because of discomfort, or you are thinking about it, Acupuncture can help!  Like yoga, it is energy work.  Acupuncture increases the healing process. Most people find it very relaxing, and say they feel better by the end of the session. People are surprised that the pain they came in with is so much better when they leave.

A long-time yoga enthusiast, came for acupuncture after years of hip pain during and after long sitting meditation.  This patient is a healthy woman in fantastic shape. She not only does sitting meditation, but she does every yoga she can find.  Yet, the simple act of sitting caused her body discomfort and pain.  She was excited to try acupuncture, and she expected some relief.  After her treatment, she was surprised that her pain was gone.  For months after, she reported that her pain had not come back.

Acupuncture helps an injury by relaxing muscles and bringing blood circulation to the area.  The body heals itself.  Treatments help quicken the healing time.  In my clinic, we offer herbs and massage in addition to acupuncture.  When helpful, I offer advice on stretches, often familiar yoga poses, to help identify and release the specific muscle group involved.

Acupuncture is a wonderful compliment to your yoga routine!  In addition to pain, acupuncture can also reduce anxiety, allergies, and hot flashes.  As well as improve digestion, energy, and libido.  Of course, these are just a few symptoms helped with acupuncture and Chinese herbs.  It turns out that Chinese Medicine is helpful for most issues.  So, when you come in for that joint pain that flares up during yoga, we can also help your sleep, digestion, stress, and more.

Contact Nena Watkins for questions and appointments:

Oak Cliff Acupuncture (Bishop Arts Area)

214-840-3445

[email protected]

www.oakcliffacu.com

The post Pain During Yoga?… Acupuncture Can Help! appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

By: Joe Fleming, President, Vive Health

Yoga has already earned the reputation as a practice which ticks every box if you’re looking for a healthier lifestyle. It’s a great cardio workout, trains the body into a higher plane of flexibility, and can provide a shortcut towards finding a deeper self. The reality is, however, that yoga does even more than that.

Check out the following list to discover the various lesser-known ways in which this discipline touches on the mind, the body, and the soul all at once.

There is a lot of evidence which links yoga to a stronger immune system. The theories as to why this improvement takes place include the reduction of blood pressure, a calmer heart rate, and the muscle relaxation properties which follow these dynamic sessions. Furthermore, studies have shown that stress negatively impacts the immunity cells themselves, which means that the soothing mental effects of yoga are allowing the body to deal with any issues without interruption. Just as it was always designed to do.

Just like meditation, yoga centers your attention away from the past or the future and rather connects you to the present moment. This has been proven to develop peace and happiness within its students, by curbing any anxious or depressing thoughts. In fact, this works so well that many people start practicing yoga for this very reason.

The popularity of yoga has only continued to skyrocket over the last few years, and in turn, this has become a very common (and desirable) topic of conversation. And with so many available classes and loving spaces to explore, the potential amount of people you can chat to is virtually endless! You are also most likely to meet like-minded individuals who are fascinated with self-growth and want nothing more than to live a life free from negativity.

Research has suggested that yoga can have a very positive outcome for those living with arthritis. This is not surprising, as the practice is lauded for its gentle low-impact movements on the joints, the ideal amount of motion for arthritis sufferers who need to loosen up their stiffness. Hot yoga classes, in particular, can reduce the pain of inflammation while also helping with the mental side of dealing with any mobility issues.

Unlike so many other fitness activities, yoga is a very personal discipline, and should never be viewed as a competitive environment. Rather, by utilizing this time to better understand your body, you can modify any pose to carefully avoid the aggravation of previous trauma, such as spinal, hip, or knee injuries. One can also employ these gentle poses to nurse your weaker areas back to their default health.

Due to its cardio effects, yoga can tone down any excess pounds which will boost your confidence in your naked body. What’s more, your stamina and core stability will increase while your enhanced flexibility will grant you that extra edge in bed.

It doesn’t take a doctor to tell you that two of the primary keys to healthy living is to eat well and to rest sufficiently. Yoga assists with both of these. By stretching out any restless pains, relaxing the nervous system, and slowing your breathing down, your thoughts will clear and you’ll be eased into an effortless slumber. Furthermore, the aforementioned reduction of stress should minimize any emotional eating, encouraging your body to turn away from junk food while favoring better-balanced options.

Yoga is such an adaptable practice that you can modify your poses right up until you give birth without any additional risks. Not to mention that the breathing techniques, spinal alignment, and the strengthening of your pelvic floor muscles all work together, helping to reduce the usual pains of labor.

When you’ve had one too many the night before, attending a morning yoga session may be the last thing on your mind. That said, it is probably the exact solution you need. As the sweat pours out from your skin, so does the toxins, while the blood flowing to your brain will gradually push the headache away. By the end of the class, you’ll bounce out of there as good as new.

Sometimes life gets in the way and you can’t make it to a class. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to interrupt your flow, as you can strike a pose anywhere, anytime, even if you watch an online tutorial for support. Purchase a mat, place it down, and you’re good to go!

Author Information:

Joe Fleming, President, Vive Health

www.vivehealth.com

The post 10 Lesser-Known Benefits of Yoga appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.