"Do not underestimate the value of asana (yoga postures). Even in simple asanas, one is experiencing the three levels of the quest: the external quest, which brings firmness of the body; the internal quest, which brings steadiness of intelligence; and the innermost quest, which brings benevolence of spirit."
-- B.K.S. Iyengar
Here are just a few of the benefits of a regular yoga practice:
\ Increase your health by toning muscles, increasing lung capacity, lubricating your joints, and massaging the internal organs.
\ Relieve your mind by slowing down thoughts, increasing clarity, and cultivating inner calm.
\ Soothe your heart by opening up and tuning in to its vibration.
\ Infuse your spirit by tapping into your inner wisdom, giving birth to increasing compassion, and honoring all of life.
Tips for deepening your home practice:
For many of us, it is beautiful to bring the practice of yoga home and beyond the confines of our weekly yoga class. This is such a wonderful way to increase the benefits you can receive in your body, your heart, your mind, and your spirit. Here are some ideas for beginning or deepening your home practice.
\ Trust your body. Most of the time, our body knows what it wants. When we’ve been sitting for a long time, we want to get up and walk, when we’ve been hunched over, we want to stretch the shoulders back and open the heart. See if you can tune in and let your body move you into a good stretch, keeping yourself loose and open.
\ Trust your breath. As breath is the foundation of every movement in yoga, so breath is the center of your being in the world. When in doubt, tune in to your breath. One small step towards bringing yoga into your daily life? Use reminders such as red lights, the sound of a bell, the words “thank you,” etc, to stop and take 5 full breaths.
\ Trust yourself. Start with any poses you remember. Keep building from there and you may be amazed at how easily you begin to expand your home practice. Bring any questions to class and allow the support of the yoga circle to nurture your individual process.
A few practical tips:
\Try http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/browse_categories for user-friendly, detailed explanations of your favorite poses.
\As much as possible, try to set aside time where you will be uninterrupted. Light a candle, play meditative music, or in some other way signal that you are taking time for yourself.
\Bring savasana into your daily routine. As you lay down to sleep each night, scan your body to notice any places where you may be holding tension, stress, or emotional weight from the day. As you notice each spot with the inhale, breathe and release it with the exhale. Transition into smooth belly breaths and drift off in this relaxed state.