To Flow or Not to Flow

As a yoga teacher I often get asked about what class would be best for a new student or a beginner student that has practiced a few times wants to know what is best for them. This is a trick question because it depends on you...that is right, Y - O - U. In a world where sales are everything and we are bombarded with information, how do we figure out what is really right for us?

I will share a bit of what works for me personally. As a teacher I am also a student. I ask myself, how am I feeling before practice and acknowledge it. At the end of the practice as we begin our savasana I ask myself again, how am I feeling?. I use this a barometer over time to get connected with how I am really feeling. Sometimes before a powerful vinyasa practice I will ask how I feel in my mind and my mind responds tired and I will surprise myself and get energized during practice once I start moving and breathing. On the converse sometimes I am feeling ready and energized and in class I am exhausted when I check in and ask the very same question. Either way I am listening to my mind, body through my breath. My breath is my true north. For example if either of the extreme examples above happen during my practice I ask myself how is my breath, and I let that be the guide. The things I look for are, "am I breathing?", how does my breath feel if it is good maybe I move faster or go a little further and if it is shallow and labored it is time for me to pause and honor my body and breath in a down dog or child's pose. So aside from pain (PAIN is a HARD STOP) play in your practice and ask yourself the question of how does my breath feel throughout class. Once you create this habit it will feel like less of a chore and become a really nice way to check in with your body and self. You will cultivate a way to connect your body to your breath and mind.

If you have any fun ways to check in we want to hear about it. If you want to hear about a specific topic please leave a comment too!

Happy yogaing!