Yoga: Keeping on track over the festive season

Christmas time!

Joy, peace and love to you all.

Peace peace peace.

Margot XX

The festive season is the time to enjoy friends and family, indulge in delicious food and drink and generally relax. Now this may sound enticing for some - no work, yummy food and time with people we love - but quite stressful for others - family difficulties, financial struggles, health concerns or loneliness - so how to stay grounded and calm throughout the festive chaos.
 
Now we have heard this many times that practising yoga can help us deal with stress though it won’t make you immune to it...it can help. It also needs to be said that money can be especially tight at this time of year, making budgeting for that asana class a bit of a challenge assuming they are still on and your teacher hasn't taken a break like I do. We all need to recharge!

As seasonal stressors make life hectic, a regular practice can be especially grounding and nurturing. A practice often provides some much needed space and perspective in the midst of all the festive activities.

Here are a few of my favorite tips for keeping your practice up through the  holidays:

1. Here in Australia, Christmas comes in summer when the days are hot, long and full of activity. For many the great outdoors plays a big part in holiday festivities so why not take your practise outdoors. Whether you are at the beach, in the garden or at the park be aware that the surface can be soft and unpredictable. This can lead to more stress on your joints than when you practise on an even and solid floor.

A couple of tips to keep your outdoor practice safe. 

• Ditch your mat, put on some sunscreen and mosquito repellant - natural of course - and play.

• Skip the vinyasa and be kind to you wrists especially on uneven surfaces. The outer edge of the wrist tends to sink into the ground but of course feel free to experiment. 

• I do like to try the odd handstand as I feel free outside and the ground is much softer than a slate floor I have at home plus there is no furniture to bump or crash into.

• Try balances as they need you to concentrate and this can help relax the mind. You could be a tree or an eagle.
  

                                            Outside in our wonderful vegetable garden. Photo by Marc Perri.

2. Let go of the music 

• Listen to the sounds of your beautiful, soft and natural breath.

• Listen to the waves, the wind or the birds singing. Connect with nature.  

3. Consider a morning practice (before everyone gets up)

• It can be difficult to get yourself to an evening class and indeed many evenings are filled with holiday-related jobs and events. 

• Remember it is not the end of the world if you skip a day and say go for a walk, a swim or simply sit still, although I do find that regular asana practice helps me to feel happier, calmer, and more peaceful. 

4. Try a shorter practice 

• 10 -20 minutes is enough. You Tube is great. Look for a short morning practice or be specific if you are after looking after a particular area e.g. shoulders and neck, lower back.

5. Have a 'go to' practice

• If you struggle to come up with new sequences it is fine to have a 'go to' practice e.g maybe one of the ones given out in class or one you like. Try the one below.

• Cat/cow
• Downward facing dog
• Lunge - right and left
• A shoulder stretch e.g. eagle arms
• Sun Salute
• Warrior 2
• Reverse warrior or triangle or side angle
• A hip opener like lizard lunge or pigeon
• Child’s pose or knees to chest
• Savasana  
   
  Lunge. By the pool I use a mat as water can make it a little slippery. Photo by Marc Perri.

Have fun! Enjoy your holidays. 

Om shanti, shanti, shanti. Peace. Peace. Peace.

Margot XX00