Author: Uplifting Yoga

Yoga is for Everybody

Each week I have the absolute pleasure in teaching students of all ages, shapes and sizes.  Most of the people in my classes do not resemble the super bendy yogi images you may see posted on Instagram.  Instead they look like regular people, with varying levels of fitness, all on their own unique journey to improve their health and well-being.

I am humbled to see people accomplish things they thought they couldn’t do in their practice. I am very honored to help guide these students.  They teach me much more than I could possibly teach them… lessons of humility, patience and acceptance.  Yoga is a low impact workout that lubricates the joints and massages the muscles. You can practice yoga for your entire life and use it as an aid for staying young and agile. Some of the most graceful people I know are older yogis who practice to stay open physically and mentally.

The practice of Yoga is not just about stretching, it’s observing the breath, aligning the spine, moving the body and calming the mind.  Let’s be clear, you do not need the ability to form a pretzel with your body to practice yoga!  A physical yoga practice should be tailored to meet your personal needs. If your muscles are tight, yoga can help you loosen up. If you are overly flexible, it can help you gain strength.  If you’re wanting to strengthen your core, that too can be achieved through a regular yoga practice. Also remember that yoga poses (Asana) are only one part of a yoga practice. Yoga classes also include meditation, pranayama (breathwork) and yogic practices for healthy living.

Yoga also happens off the mat! You can learn a lot about yourself when you begin a yoga practice.  There will be times when you feel uncomfortable in a pose as it challenges you in some way.  You can either react by avoiding the pose and giving up, or by learning to connect to the breath and work through the sensations and find peace in the pose.  In time your yoga practice will also change the way you view your body.  You will see it for the jem it is. For its strength, support and beauty.  The monkey mind will also start to quieten down and you will learn to tune into the sweet sound of the breath.

With the guidance of a supportive teacher you can learn to modify the poses (Asana) for your body.  There is a basic outline and alignment for each posture, but it’s very important to listen to your own body and move with mindful awareness.  If you’re new, start with a Gentle Yoga or a Beginner class to learn the foundation poses and build your confidence. I provide modifications and/or props to support your body to get into a pose.  If you think your physical condition may prevent you from practicing yoga, contact me to discuss your concerns. You will be surprised how your health and well-being can be enhanced with a yoga practice.

It’s a myth that Yoga is for only for women.  In fact the science of yoga was developed by men over 5000 years ago.  It was almost exclusively practiced by men and it was passed down from teacher to student.  There are a lot of women practicing yoga today.  Men don’t be afraid, you are safe and supported just as any other student in class.  On the yoga mat we practice non-judgment, we are all working towards the same goal and your gender, age or ability bears no relevance.  Every body is welcome at Uplifting Yoga, you don’t need fancy clothes or even a yoga mat.  You just need the ability to breathe and the will to show up for practice.

I look forward to welcoming you to class sometime soon……    X Tracy

© Copyright 2024 Uplifting Yoga

As a teacher, this is a question I am often asked. There are so many benefits that I often don’t know how to begin to answer the question. Like any exercise or health program, the more you put in (effort), the greater the reward (results). Therefore, the benefits you experience will be determined by the length of time you’ve been practicing and the frequency or consistency of your yoga practice.

After class it is common for people to experience a sense of calmness in the mind and increased energy in the body. You can experience improved brain function as well. How is this so? well essentially by taking time to practice yoga, you have pressed the reset/refresh button in you brain and given your mind and body space to be present, in the moment. This means that all of your attention is focused on experiencing what is happening, right now, in your body and not being distracted by the mind.

Yoga teaches us to be present and focus our attention on the breath. As a result after class your stress level, or your ability to manage your stress level, will be improved. You will experience improved flexibility and also mobility as yoga works deep into the muscles and connective tissues to release stored tension and pressure and rigidity in the body. You will learn to stretch muscles that you may not have realised, were holding a lot of tension and stress in the body.

A student recently came to me after class and said “I actually feel like I can really breathe now, like my chest is no longer tight or squashed”. This is great feedback and evidence of progress. It tells me that the student is learning to listen to the body, be aware of her breath and is truly experiencing the benefits of yoga.

After a few months of regular yoga practice, it is common for students to report more improvements to their health and well-being. For example that their sense of balance is improving. That they are experiencing less chronic back and neck pain. That their lung capacity has improved and they are having less asthma attacks. Students often tell me that they are noticing more tone and strength in their muscles and less joint pain. Others are noticing improved posture and co-ordination after a practicing yoga for a few months.

Anxiety and depression symptoms also reportedly reduce with a regular yoga practice. Students start to view their body in a more positive light. They become aware of the strength and flexibility within. Yoga also helps the body to detoxify, improves digestion and aids in eliminating waste from the body. With improved digestion you will start to feel lighter, have more energy and blood sugar levels will begin to regulate, which is especially beneficial for people with diabetes. It is also common for blood pressure and cholesterol levels to begin to regulate.

In a few years if you’ve established a regular yoga practice you will have stronger bones, your body will maintain a healthy weight and you will have a lower risk of heart disease. You will have a greater understanding of your body, its limits and abilities. Your level of consciousness will have expanded, you will be more open and accepting of others and often less judgmental. And probably the best benefit….. you will have an enhanced sense of well-being and overall happiness.

Healthy habits take time to develop. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day! The good news is you are just one yoga class away from a good mood!

What are you waiting for?

© Copyright 2024 Uplifting Yoga

NAMASTE  (nuh-mUH-st-hey)

My soul honours your soul.

I honour the place in you

where the entire universe resides.

I honour the light, love, truth, beauty and peace

within you, because it is also with me.

In sharing these things we are united,

we are the same, we are one.

If you’ve been to a yoga class you may have heard the teacher and students say Namaste as they bow with their hands at the heart.  This is a familiar sight in a yoga class but not so much in our western society. It is therefore common for beginners to feel awkward the first time you bow and say Namaste because you don’t know what it means.  Read on to take the time to understand the meaning behind the word and the gesture.

Firstly let’s tackle the spoken word Namaste.  In Sanskrit, the word ‘namah’ means bow, and ‘te’ means you, translating simply into “I bow to you.” The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul (light) in one by the soul (light) in another.  Think of it as a way of recognizing that the life force within us as individuals is the same as that within everything and everyone.

Now that’s clear let’s understand the hand gesture, or as we refer to it in yoga, the mudra.  To perform Namaste, we place the hands together at the heart centre (the location of the heart chakra) known as Anjali Mudra.  We close the eyes, and bow the head.  Alternatively we can place our hands together in front of the forehead (the location of the third eye chakra), bow the head, and then bring the hands down to the heart. This gesture is an especially deep form of respect.  The left hand is said to represent the worldly form, and the right hand the reality beyond what we can see.  So to bring these hands together is to acknowledge that these dimensions are not separate.  When we bow and close our eyes, we are allowing a connection between the hearts rather than our minds.  So the gesture is coming from a place of love, gratitude and thanks.

Usually, Namaste is said at the end of class because our minds are calm and the energy in the room is more peaceful. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with the expression and repeat it. So next time you come to class, be open to the expression of Namaste, be confident with the sentiment and meaning behind it and in time it will become very natural to you…….. Namaste.

© Copyright 2024 Uplifting Yoga

 

I believe that nature has always been the best medicine.

Sunshine is good for the mind, the body and spirit and it can also trigger the release of Serotonin (the happy hormone!).

Fresh air is great for your lungs and gives the body a fresh burst of oxygen and it can enhance the effects of your Pranayama (breathing exercises).

Yoga is a science designed to work beyond the physical practice.  Ask anyone who has a regular practice about how yoga has helped them, you’ll be surprised how many ways yoga can improve your health and well-being.

Combine nature with yoga and you have the perfect recipe for optimal health and happiness.   If you’re looking for a change of scenery from the walls of the studio or gym and you’d rather smell fresh air than recycled air-conditioning, take your yoga practice outdoors.   There’s more space to move, there’s bird sounds in the background, a gentle breeze and a fabulous view.  What more could you ask for?

© Copyright 2024 Uplifting Yoga

Think you can’t afford yoga? Well that’s ok, because I teach a FREE classes each week during school term. These classes are part of an outdoor fitness initiative by an not-for-profit organisation called Live Life Get Active.  There’s a different exercise class each day, it’s either boxing, cross training or on Friday’s, it’s Yoga.

The Yoga class that I teach is sponsored by Stockland and are located in one of Moreton Bay’s Stockland communities,  Newport.  If you’re an early riser, the Newport class (Spinnaker Park) is on Friday mornings at 6:15am.

Classes are for 45 minutes, maximum number of participants is thirty and classes align with school terms.  As these classes are managed by Live Life Get Active you must register and book in each week directly.  Head to the www.livelifegetactive.com website for more information and to secure your space.  I look forward to seeing you there.

© Copyright 2024 Uplifting Yoga