Spice Up Your Yoga: Variations

For this holiday, I thought I would give you a few variations for your basic postures. Something to play with in between the chips and guacamole. (Sidebar...Consider a chip variation: slices of cucumber. Feel free to eat the avocado. It's healthy fat!) Advancement in yoga is not always about moving on to a new pose, but about the mastery of the most simple posture. However, it can be fun to spice up your practice by adding a variation to your basic pose. Here are some for you to try. Variety is the spice of yoga!

Triangle Pose

Triangle Variation: Wrap (shoulder opener)

Triangle Variation: Extended Arms (core work)

Tree Pose

Once you are all set in your Tree Pose, cross your ankle over your knee and settle back into an imaginary chair. This is like a Seated Pigeon, or a Half Chair. Make sure that your hips are even. It's a great balance pose as well as a great stretch for the IT band. 

Half Chair

Side Plank Variation: Leg Up

Bridge Variation: Extend Leg

Remember to enjoy all that you do today. Whatever you put into your body, do it consciously and wholeheartedly. Then start fresh! Have a great day.

Voice Yourself!

I remember my first days as a fitness instructor. Little known fact: I began as a Spinning instructor. Back in 1996, I opened my mouth to motivate others. My tiny frame was about 15% heavier at that time. I was still a basically healthy girl, but I did not think of myself as having the ideal body. I was coming out of my own negative self-image. After gaining some weight, I had decided to see what it would be like to fully accept and love myself in ALL of my many phases and forms. I started speaking out all of the positive, loving words to motivate others. I literally felt a healing reverberate throughout my entire being as I spoke kindly about this body that I had once been critical of.

Speaking kindly about myself has been one of the most empowering actions towards self-loving. I encourage you to speak only love about yourself this week. Should you catch yourself being critical or judgmental, take a pause. Take a long deep breath, and find another way to frame that thought. 

As you begin to vocalize kindness to yourself, you will begin to notice that you are more accepting of others. Voice your love. This beautiful tool of giving is what heals us all, collectively. Begin to trust in the power of your voice. When you believe in your own impact, you will understand that your words have the power to affect change. If we want true change, we must change our minds. In order to shift your mind, begin to discipline your words. While it may feel unnatural at first, you may just find how crazy about yourself you are after all! 

Here's a move to open your heart and throat so that you may voice yourself easier. Make it a great week!

Camel Pose in NYC

Mother Earth

This is a picture of me and my mom.

On a day like yesterday, when it seemed everyone was celebrating Mother's Day, as I perused Facebook, listened to the radio, and heard people giving a shout out to all the moms in the room...my heart really went out to those who were not a part of this celebration day. I can't help but think of all the people out there who have lost their mother, who may be estranged from their mother, those who may never have had the kind of loving nurture they needed. People who may not even know their mother.

My mom is super sweet, and even so, I still have my gripes. Having been a young mom, in many ways she was my best friend. As I grew older, I still needed to expand my perception of mother, for I was looking for a true source of nurture. Something that I would be able to connect from within. From personal to Universal. Mother Earth.

Here's my mom with cake.

Mother Earth, or Mother Nature makes no mistakes, offers a bounty of sustenance, and supports you by being the very ground you walk upon. She is always there. You can count on her for the basic support you require on a daily basis.

The ocean is the Mother's womb. The very amniotic fluid that we are swimming in. Creation is constant, and so is the cyclical nature of Mother Earth. It is both content and moody. I turn today to these constant and important forces of nature, which cleanse me and feed me, with room to grow into myself more and more daily. She belongs to everyone and no one. She asks for nothing in return. Mother is with us all. All the time. All we need to do is take a few deep breaths and feel the support that is always available.

Still, I wish to thank the Great Mother, for this great human mother that is my own. Wishing you all bounty and sustenance. As my friend Laura Amazzone a great yogini teacher says: Jai Ma!

EMBARK ON YOUR OWN Y28 REVOLUTION

Begin your Y28 Revolution! Connect daily, starting TODAY, May 6th on People.com. Link to my Facebook event to get support and share your process with myself and others!

EMBARK ON YOUR OWN Y28 REVOLUTION IN 5 SIMPLE STEPS

1. LOVE YOUR BODY NOW: It may sound radical, but your body is already perfect. If this concept is difficult to internalize, begin by setting an intention to love your body just the way it is. Remember, even if nothing changes, you are perfect just the way you are, and fitness and wellness is a celebration of your greatest gift. Celebrate your body!

2. COMMIT TO SHORT-TERM GOALS: In order to give you a set of manageable short-term goals, Yogalosophy is broken down into daily weekly intentions. Healthy habits are created one day at a time, and when you have a short-term goal that you can achieve, you are guaranteed to succeed. Take it step by step. Start by taking the time and setting aside the space for your Y28 revolution.

3. MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES: Your Y28 program will be perfectly personalized to you with a wide range of wellness options, including three optional food plans, cardio suggestions, and a variety of extra activities. The Y28 program is about choosing activities, foods, and exercise that you love, because when you do this from a place of love, you will start to make healthier choices.

4. VISUALIZE YOUR BEST SELF AND GIVE GRATITUDE:  Your body hears everything you think and say. When you imagine the best outcome, you experience the emotions and physiological effects that come from it. Visualize, declare, and ritualize what you want. Create a daily motivation mantra like "Every obstacle is an opportunity" or "This is the feeling of my body changing." Celebrate your body by giving gratitude for what you have. Writing a daily gratitude list will keep you focused on the positive, and when you take time to focus on what you are grateful for, more will come your way.

5. GIVE AND RECEIVE SUPPORT: Connection is what gives us a sense of belonging, reminding us that we are not alone. When embarking on a personal revolution, it's important to give and receive support along the way. Use the book, Yogalosophy: 28 Days to the Ultimate Mind-Body Makeover; join an online community, like Facebook or Twitter; or choose to do this program with friends and/or family. Getting healthy with support is a wonderful way to bond and create community. Sharing your personal experiences with others is a key to happiness. Join me at one of my upcoming workshops.