7 June Ray Child June 7, 2012 A Catalyst for Change Hot Yoga, New Students, Yoga begin a yoga practice, change, dallas hot yoga, re-energize, yoga practice 0 Comment We like to see fitness as a catalyst for change, and fuel for sustaining mind, body and life balance. It is a tool, and like any other instrument of change, can be used by amateurs or experts on a variety of levels to accomplish an end goal. So, whether you’re a couch potato considering beginning a regular fitness practice, an avid exerciser looking for another outlet for releasing energy and building strength, or an experienced practitioner looking to “kick it up a notch,” baby steps can help take you where you want to go in your relationship with yoga and yourself. Begin. Think of just one thing that yoga can do for you today. A.k.a. “define a short-term goal.” Don’t be scared. We said short-term. We have a few ideas to get you rolling: “Seeing my teacher and connecting with my fellow students today will help me get my mind off of the person who hasn’t returned my call.” “Today's barre class will help me let go of the fact that my boss is insane.” “This yoga class will get me back on the right path after all of the bad stuff I ingested this week.” “Today HIIT will help me feel accomplished.” Decide. Don’t just try to go to class, go. Get off Facebook. Don’t turn on the TV. Go. Now. We promise that deciding to go is the hardest step, and that you will only feel better from the point that you actually do it. No down side. Get moving. Shake it up. Break the monotony of doing nothing or doing the same thing. We like to call this our little “shock and awe” secret to success. The body loves challenges, the mind craves variety. Feed them. Try something new. A new class, a new posture, heck, maybe even a new outfit! Just shaking it up will often give you the energy you need to stay on a path, or remind you what you loved about practice when you began. Hopefully, if you are feeling like you have let your practice slide lately, or if you have never actually put the thought of developing a practice into motion, these little hints will help. Many of us are conditioned to see change as scary or bad. Change in and of itself is neither. It can be as simple as deciding what areas of your life you would like to see become different, and then putting a plan into action. There is one detail that cannot be underestimated in its importance: your choice. While you may not always be able to control all the changes in your life, you are always able to control how to receive it. To choose whether it produces anxiety or excitement. Make the decision to own the change in your life, beginning with getting out the door and into the studio. Related Articles 3 Ways Change Is Beneficial (And 3 Ways You Can Embrace It) Most people fight change, especially change that is beyond their control. Habit and routine keep things orderly and safe, and when things don't go as planned, it's hard to see the positive side. But change brings with it some often-overlooked benefits. Think that change is good in theory, but you could still do without it? Build Good Food Habits Eating fruits and vegetables is all about creating a habit and taste for it! The more fruits and vegetables you eat, the better you feel and ultimately you will like them. No reason to become a vegan cold turkey over-night, give your gut the opportunity to improve over time. Slow your roll, allowing for better enzymes and digestion over time. Clear Your Mind Are you stressed? It's no secret, of course, that modern lifestyles often go hand-in-hand with cluttered, unsettled minds. Chances are, if you are not experiencing stress right at this moment, you have recently or will soon. Eager to find a "fix," well-intentioned folks advise slowing down and taking time for what's important--while simultaneously giving constant tips for fitting more into already packed schedules. But HOW? Why We Teach Yoga One word: change. It's why we teach yoga. We chose yoga because of the changes that occurred when we brought yoga into our own lives. Many people, even your teachers, began practicing yoga hoping to lose weight or affect some other physical change in their bodies. But months (and years) later, we find that we stuck with it because of the amazing mental and life changes that have come out of our practice. Live Fit. Live Well. - a lifestyle Yoga has been part of my life for a long time. The thing about yoga is, you are always learning, always changing and growing. I have come to understand that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also about growth and change. In the last few years, yoga has helped me heal from surgeries, chemo and side effects. Yoga Teacher Training: Transformational Learning at Sunstone Yoga Academy Is yoga teacher training right for you? Even basic yoga training can change your life. Whether you want to open your own studio or just take your yoga practice to the next level, Sunstone Yoga Academy can help you open up to the world around you. Our Yoga Academy is for people who are passionate about yoga and growing their practice—we’re not just looking for people who want to teach yoga! Comments are closed.