Unlock the Power of Mindful Yoga: A Slower, More Personalized Approach
Many people wonder if all yoga is mindful. The answer? It depends on your practice!
Mindful Yoga: A Transformative Journey
I teach a slower, sustainable form of yoga that prioritizes healing for both body and mind. This practice creates a beautiful balance between challenge and restoration, ultimately leading to a sense of mental calmness.
Over the years, I've witnessed the transformative power of mindful yoga firsthand. It allows you to:
Connect with your inner voice: A mindful practice encourages you to listen to your body and honor its needs in the moment. There's no pressure to conform to a rigid routine; you're in charge.
Expand your definition of yoga: Mindful yoga extends beyond the studio. It can be found in activities like gardening, spending time in nature, or even using therapy balls for self-massage.
Experience moving meditation: A slower, mindful flow can be a powerful moving meditation that builds heat,connects you to your strength, and clears your mind.
Find deep relaxation: Restorative poses held for 3-10 minutes with conscious breathing are a fantastic way to achieve mental clarity. Child's Pose, with proper support, can be incredibly calming.
My personal journey with mindful yoga:
As someone who experiences anxiety, mindful yoga has been a life-changer. It allows me to slow down my racing thoughts, nourish my body, and connect with my breath and the present moment. This sense of healing extends to my students as well.
Find Your Perfect Yoga Practice:
Whether you prefer a slower, personalized style like mine, or a more vigorous practice, there's a yoga path for everyone. Most yoga classes will incorporate some variation of Child's Pose, offering a moment of relaxation and reflection.
Ready to Dive Deeper with Child’s Pose?
Come to table (hands and knees), with the tops of your feet on the floor.
Move your knees wider than hips distance, and bring your big toes to touch behind you.
Sit your hips back to your heels, and walk your arms forward.
Keep arms active or rest them, depending on your mood.
Child’s Pose Modifications
Place 1-2 folded blankets over your calves and under your bum to support your pelvis and lesson load on your knees.
Place a block under your forehead to keep your neck aligned with the rest of your spine.
Place a blanket underneath your body for comfort and cushioning.
Tight ankles? Support them with a partially rolled blanket. When the body is supported the mind can let go!
Make it a restorative pose: support your whole torso with a bolster/blanket combo, building up to the level where you can let go. Add a blanket under bum as well.
Connect with Me!
For those interested in exploring mindful yoga further, I offer live semi-private classes, private sessions, and an online program designed to jumpstart your mind-body transformation! I look forward to helping you thrive on your yoga journey.Is all yoga mindful? Yes and no. It depends on how you practice.
About The Author
Gwen Yeager is an LA-based yoga expert who loves helping people deepen their practice in practical ways that work with real-life (she’s also a cancer survivor and mother of twins). She provides her students with resources to incorporate healthy movement, breathwork, and mindfulness into every nook and cranny of living. While her teaching style is down-to-earth and approachable — she’s a stickler about the science movement and proper anatomical alignment because nothing is more important than long-term mobility and a vibrant quality of life!
