How you
practice yoga off the mat is just as important as how you practice yoga on the
mat. Yoga is a holistic way of living your life. It is living with mindfulness
and awareness in your choices and actions. It is being flexible and resilient
in your mind as much as your body. The beginning of this new season is an ideal
look at how you live your life; with new schedules that you have to become accustom
to.
Yoga can be
practiced off the mat by being aware of how you eat, sleep, think and work.
Being balanced.
Balanced Life: “When Sattva predominates, the light of
wisdom shines through every gate of the body.”
A balanced
life is honorable living. Living with anticipation of your actions and taking
responsibility of your choices. Yoga is a component of living a balanced life;
a Sattvic Lifestyle. Sattva means purity; it is a lifestyle that is mentally,
physically and spiritually balanced. With consistent practice, yoga transforms
your mind, body and soul in positive ways that evolve into a balanced life.
In order to
have balance, you must take the right actions, think the right thoughts and
make the right intentions. All of the factors in your lifestyle will affect the
state of your health. At our studio, we hope to educate our community in association
with other health professionals about living a balanced “Sattva” lifestyle. Yoga
is only one factor of living a balanced life but we support you in finding your
balance by educating you with the other factors of a composed lifestyle:
1. Yoga
& Exercise: with
consistent practice, yoga transforms your mind, body and soul in positive ways
that develop balanced lives. With continued practice, you will reap the
benefits of well-being yoga has to offer. The key is to practice, practice,
practice. Daily practice is recommended as it creates a positive pattern of
exercise and your body will heal, grow and flourish with internal and external
benefits. In yoga, we accept where we are and do not judge ourselves or anyone
else on or off the mat because it is a personal practice for all individuals. We
offer many options of yoga practice that you will surely find the style that
best suits your needs and likes.
2. Nutrition: A Sattvic (yoga) diet is purity of
nutrition and abundant in Prana, life energy. It avoids processed foods or
foods laced with chemicals or preservatives; also food made with love (just
like mom says) contributes to vital life energy. Healthy diet and fresh food
helps build healthy brain and body tissue contributing to the body’s natural
healing capabilities.
3. Sleep: sleep is a key factor in how you
function during your awake hours. It has been proven that the sleep deprived
tend to overeat during the waking hours, contributing to obesity and many other
health imbalances. The body regenerates, restores and heals while we sleep. What
you do during your waking hours highly contributes to sleep insufficiencies as
well. With proper nutrition and yoga, you will sleep soundly and with fewer
interruptions, ensuring a night of rest.
4. Mindfulness: being aware of your thoughts is
mindfulness. It is a misconception that mindfulness can only be practiced in
meditation. However, meditation can accelerate the many benefits of mindfulness
since it brings stillness to the mind. Mindfulness can be an active practice
during daily activities. We offer classes that center around mindfulness and
suggest how you can practice it in your daily life.
5. Home
Environment: our
external environment, our home contributes to our well-being. Your home is your
place of rest, your retreat away from everyday stresses. It is important to
have a Sattvic living space to retreat to that is relaxing and restful. How your
home is decorated, the media that plays, if it is cluttered or well-organized
all contribute to a Sattvic, balanced home life that is uplifting and restful.
6. Social
Environment: who we
socialize and keep company with influences our well-being as well. Surround yourself
with productive, kind and like-minded people.
7. Life
Purpose: living with a
personal purpose is Sattvic. It is important to foucs on work, self-improvement
and intellectual or spiritual pursuits. Maintain a positive nature,
demonstrating generosity, kindness, openness, equality and forgiveness also
increases Sattva Guna. In addition, engaging in selfless service or charitable
activities help to become Sattvic.
As you can
see, yoga is one component of living
a balanced life.
Hope to see
you living a balanced life at the studio soon.
Namaste,
Chelsey
