When I first really got into yoga, all my socials were about it. Nearly every day, I have a photo of a different pose posted. My journey kept progressing even as I shared the practice through teaching classes. But the progress didn’t LOOK much like progress. I was also into cross-training and it has grown my practice in ways that cannot be measured by the look of a stretchy pose. I was moving farther and farther away from the ideal, pretzel-bodied yogini.
I get asked, “Do you still practice yoga?” If you take a peek at my Instagram, you’ll see me training more often than you’d see me on a mat barefoot. There are so many ways to answer that question. You don’t really have to be doing poses to be “practicing yoga”. But I get what they mean when they ask, and the answer is yes.
My mat is my sanctuary. This explains why my practice has evolved into a short, sacred time to reconnect with myself- mind and body. It started by taking less studio classes (but still teaching them), and practicing in the comfort of my home where I am able to take the time to hold poses longer, pay attention to what needs a bit more focus, breathe a little more and progress or regress depending on what my body needs.
Current fave: The Hugger Mugger Tapas Mat. Just the right padding and tack even if you use it straight out of its packaging. I am obsessed with this colour and it’s light enough to carry around if you practice anywhere.
I’ve gone way past poses or asanas. I guess that’s how I’ve grown in yoga. I’ve learned to accept that the ego gets in the way often and that it will tell me to go beyond what the body can do in the present moment. It doesn’t have to be this way, both on and off the mat.
Stimulate the senses, then draw them in. In photo above: I use essential oils as form of aromatherapy, for grounding and connecting to the present before I start my asana practice. I have a range of therapeutic essential oils but Lavender is my favorite.
Not necessary but nice to have- Chakra Candles from Resveralife. I picked the yellow one that symbolizes the Manipura chakra or Solar Plexus- the core of ones being. I light it for Dristi (focal point), again- stimulating the senses and drawing them in.
All the items pictured are from Resveralife. Visit their store at the Ground Floor of Newport Mall, Pasay City Philippines.
