Life as a Yoga Teacher: Balancing Flexibility and Mindfulness Daily
Smayjak Yoga School firmly believes in the concept of life fluidity – both with and without the mat around. Such is a day in the life of yoga instructors: moments of mindfulness, flexibility, and, of course, nourishment – these define the yoga experience as not merely a physical practice. It’s really more about aligning with your inner rhythm and honoring your energy particularly on those days when you’re not feeling quite your best. Starting the Day with Mindfulness Just tuning in to a mindful morning routine brings forth a mood for the entire day and, as yoga instructors, we embrace the gift of every new day. Some mornings are more full of pep than others, but we welcome the gifts of life as yoga teachers. Sometimes there’s no need to be angry if the body or mind can stay with that; again, some wakenings will bring waking and relaxing sounds. Nothing warms up a day quite like the hot water with lemon and cayenne. Flexibility covers more than body; it covers your approach to life. Yoga teaches us that flexibility is not in our bodies but in our minds and emotions: it asks that we mentally keep ourselves open and adaptable, finding peace in all energies we bring into the day as well as trusting the process. That mind-set is the one that keeps us both grounded and clear no matter what comes our way. Mindful morning routine at the start of every day, making it a mood for the entire day such as yoga teachers did as they welcomed each day’s fresh gift, some mornings a little more pep than others. Yet some awakenings cause their waking and relaxing sounds. Hot water with lemon and cayenne usually gets me started in the day. Flexibility does not only cover your body, but also your approach to life. Yoga teaches us not flexibility in our bodies, but in our minds and emotions: it asks that we mentally keep ourselves open and adaptable, finding peace in all energies we bring into the day as well as trusting the process. That mind-set is the one that keeps us both grounded and clear no matter what comes our way. The Power of Movement Yoga can be described as an antidote to stagnation and low energy. It encourages blood flow and breath movement to increase activity by moving one’s body, which would effectively shake off lethargy and restore energy. A short 20-minute flow can give a totally refreshed feel to face a long day ahead. The key, however, is to move at one’s own pace, paying attention to your body, and not pushing beyond its limits. At Smayjak Yoga School, we encourage our students to practice as often as possible-short, concise practices throughout the day. These might range from simple stretching to some rounds of Sun Salutations, or perhaps just sitting in meditation for a moment of calm, all of which again might have a serious impact on what you believe-manifesting itself in terms of mental clarity and probably your total physical wellness. Nourishing the Body After a refreshing yoga session, it is time to refuel the body’s energy with healthy yet wholesome food. A nutrient-filled bowl of boiled vegetables, sweet potatoes, and chick peas makes for the right vitamin-mineral-protein combination to ensure your body instinctively feels as wonderful after a yoga session. Smayjak Yoga School encourages the sort of eating that is balanced with your yoga lifestyle, it helps in stigmatizing an energy level and generally good health. Simple nourishing meals are those which have so much energy and are easily digestible such that your body remains cool and bright throughout the day. One of the major principles we practice a lot in Smayjak Yoga School is mindful eating; this involves eating in the practice of yoga. Fuels eat at the top of fresh, whole ingredients and energy levels, and the body just becomes sharper and aware, living more fully in the now. Mindful Breaks and Rest These provide some meaning on busy or hectic days: taking breaks from work. The breaks do not necessarily have to be the short walks outside; they can as well be mindful moments of relaxing or sunbathing while with nature, but I say, connecting with oneself is one of the movements of a yoga teacher in a given day. Productivity should never agree to be traded-off with well-being at Smayjak Yoga School. We don’t push through anything – we take breaks, listen to our bodies, and practice self-care. It teaches us that anything good doesn’t come from force. So now when it comes to any yoga asana or task after task that is supposed to be done, we have to let it come and let it go without overdoing it. When we allow ourselves the space between those opposites in life to rest and recharge, we open up the possibility for the natural flow of creativity, inspiration, and productivity to fill that space. Creative Expression and Sharing Yoga Yoga teachers are creative, very creative, and they convey the wisdom of yoga through various means. Right from teaching virtual classes to imparting wellness tips through social media or conducting private coaching sessions; all have made a critical role for a yoga teacher today as most yoga studios have now shifted from offline to online formats to create content and offer courses. So be it. You know the drill. You have to be innovative to relate and connect with a much larger populace. At Smayjak Yoga School, we celebrate the creative evolution of yoga teaching according to the needs and times, yet remaining true to the authentic teachings and practice of yoga. Our online courses and self-paced programs are meant to make yoga available to all. Wherever students are on their path, there is a self-paced program to serve them. In these ways, we seek to inspire, educate, and guide student learning on deeper understanding of yoga, philosophy, and benefits. Wrapping Up the Day As sunset approaches, one should
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