Dallas Hot Yoga, Pilates, Barre & Fitness

How to Really Advance Your Practice

As yoga teachers, we sometimes hear students categorize themselves and others as “beginner” or “advanced.” It is interesting to hear people talk this way because they usually base the label on the number of classes attended, length of time they’ve practiced, or whether they can do certain postures. The fact is that everyone is advancing--it just looks different for each individual.

When To Take A Break

Everyone needs to take a break sometimes, even from something as wonderful as yoga. Have a conversation with your teacher about your experience and be ready to give yourself permission to take time off if:

The Importance of Savasana

“Lie down, heels together, palms up. Close your eyes.” Your teacher has put you into your final Savasana. She turns out the lights and leaves the room. Do you:

1. Open your eyes immediately, hop up, hang up your mat, and flee the room?
2. Lie there for a few minutes, worrying about “to dos” still on your list?
3. Acknowledge the effort you just exuded and allow your breath to assist in clearing your head and calming your body?
4. All of the Above.

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.

A Catalyst for Change

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.

Practice?

By now you have been in Sunstone classes or researched yoga enough to have heard instructors, our social media, and fellow students speak about the “practice” of yoga.

What to Wear for Hot Yoga

You have decided you’re going to practice hot yoga. Good for you!

Be Observant

We're talking about our values from the student perspective one by one. Previously, we talked about being Engaged. Next up: how to be Observant.

Born to Move

Since the recent NYT article “How yoga Can Wreck Your Body.” I have seen a number of comments on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and via email. On the one hand I was sad that yoga (in general) was getting bad press as I personally know of the positive effects it brings to many people’s lives. On the other hand I felt a sense of vindication for 10 years of standing strong on:

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