Yoga Journal

For this blog (meditation) I would like to encourage you to start a meditation/yoga journal. 

When a new one to one client starts working with me, the first home practice I set, is to start a mediation/yoga journal and as part of my yoga teaching qualification I had to wright a journal recording my yoga journey. Since then I have continued to wright in my journal and find this a wonderful way to self evaluate my yoga practice. 

Try writing once a week and make notes every time to you’ve attended a class. You can include what you felt physically (aches and pains, what was easy and what was challenging) and how you felt spiriatually. Were you able to connect with the hear and now, working in that moment or were you feeling distracted? Make a note of what do you need to work on, where you feel you can improve physically, emotionally and spiritually? Your journal does not have to only need to consist of your practice, it can and should include day to day life, how you feel, how you faced a challenges during that day/week.

A good way to start is to wright about your day. Then choose a pose or meditation practice that would work best for you, with the day you are experiencing and challenges you feel on this day. Remember no entry is wrong, this is your journal. Wright what you feel in that moment being true to yourself. Feel free to draw or doodle, add colour or even poems and quotes you love. I always say to my clients, yoga is not just a class or physical practice, it is a way of living your life, being true to yourself. 

With in the 8 limbs of yoga we have the Yamas (restraints, what we should not do) and Niyamas (positive duties, what we should do) these guide us through our day to day life. When starting your yoga journey it’s a good idea to research Yamas and Niyamas. 

Yoga journals are a beautiful way to learn and see how you have grown as a person and it’s a lovely way to look back at your own personal yoga journey.

Candle Cleansing

This meditation is all about cleansing the body, mind and spirt. Letting go of negativity and impurities and allowing our physical body to relax. This practice is best done in a quiet and clear space. You do not need a candle for this meditation, unless you would like to use it to help create a relaxing atmosphere.

Begin this meditation by sitting in a comfortable position, you may sit up against a wall, on a chair or pillow, lift and lengthen through your spine, relax your shoulders, close your eyes and take a moment to connect with your breath and body. Allow your breath to flow naturally, not taking control, let go of any tension and allow yourself to relax. When you feel ready, visualise a candle in front of you, notice the colour of the candle, the shape and size. Light the candle and watch the flame burn, see the flame dance in the darkness, it’s beautiful. What scent is the candle? Inhale warmth and light, exhale let go of the smoke. Visualise the candle flame at the crown of your head, cleansing your spirt and glowing above you. Visualise the candle flame at your 3rd eye cleansing your mind and bringing you light. Visualise the candle flame at your heart cleansing your body, filling your heart with love. Your whole body feels warmth.  Slowly bring your awareness back to your body, how are you feeling? Back to your breath, deepen your breath, using it to re energise the body. 

“Just as one candle lights another and can light thousands of other candles, so one heart illuminates another heart and can illuminate thousands of other hearts.”

Leo Tolstoy

Reflection

This meditation is all about taking a moment to reflect and is best done after a physical or spiritual practice. Reflecting can help us grow as a person, and improve our physical and spiritual practice. Some people like to reflect using a Yoga journal. Yoga journals are a great way to improve your own personal practice on and off the Yoga mat, as well as helping you learn more about yourself.

Start by laying on your back, in “Savasana” let your feet roll open and your arms rest at your sides. If you need extra support, you can place a pillow under your head or lower back for more comfort. Bend your knees if you need to support your lower back. Once you are comfortable, take a moment to connect with your breath. Breathe in and out through your nose, slowly lengthening and deepening your breath. On the exhalation allow your body to relax and sink into the earth. Once you feel relaxed, allow your breath to flow naturally and allow yourself to let go. Take a moment to reflect on your last practice, what poses you did and how you feel? Did you take any modifications or did you feel you needed to, but your ego took over? Sometime we push ourselves too far and forget to practice how we feel, in this moment. Do you always practice within your comfort zone or do you try poses that are new to you? Our Yoga practice should be comfortable, but we should practice a variety of poses to keep the whole body supple. For example if you never stretch because you believe you are not flexible enough, you will never improve your flexibility or fully learn about yourself. Yoga is a journey. Take a moment to reflect on your journey so far, have you noticed any improvements? Has your Yoga practice impacted on your life? for example you may feel you are less stressed or you are sleeping better. Are you being kind to yourself, on and off the mat? Being kind to yourself will help bring positive energy and improve your mental wellbeing.