24 May Ray Child May 24, 2012 Practice? Body, Hot Yoga, Life, New Students, Yoga consistent, exercise, hot yoga dallas, yoga practice 2 Comments 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. The term “practice” is used a lot in the yoga world. Why? What do the phrases “I practice yoga”, “How is your practice coming along”, or “develop your practice” actually mean? Most importantly, how is a practice different than simply exercising? Merriam Webster defines the two words in the following ways: Practice (noun): a: systematic exercise for proficiency b: a repeated or customary action Exercise (noun): a: bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness b: something performed or practiced in order to develop, improve, or display a specific capability or skill Essentially, creating and maintaining a yoga practice is the difference between doing yoga solely as a form of exercise and choosing to incorporate it into a lifestyle. While exercise exclusively focuses on the goals of the physical body, a yoga practice encompasses initiating and implementing change in the body, mind, and life. We count on the term “practice” to connote consistency and a on-going commitment; it is not something we just do and then it is done. The practice of yoga is long-term. As you progress in physical awareness and capability, you also focus on clearing the mind, relieving mental stress and creating good, sustainable habits that will carry into all areas of your life. At Sunstone, we want to transform your idea of fitness from isolated physical activity into a body, mind, and life practice. Check out this brief video to learn more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCG1VM3lgBc Just remember, it's yoga practice, not yoga perfect. We know we will never be perfect, but practicing consistently will get you on the right path. Live FIT. Live Well. Related Articles Top 5 Excuses for Skipping Practice Hot yoga can be tough. Dallas hot yoga can be tougher, given the heat outside. Here at Sunstone, our groundbreaking series of options can help you adjust to your body’s needs from workout to workout – but first, you’ve got to get in the studio. 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. Workshops and Yoga What is it about workshops and yoga? Every yoga-centric magazine you open contains pages upon pages of ads for yoga workshops and retreats enticing you to practice with X guru in Y exotic location, attend a quick weekend “detox,” expand your horizons at a R & R retreat, and so on. Each one sounds better than the last, so how do you choose among them … or are you even ready? Whether you’re a regular workshop attendee or just wondering whether attending one is right for you, there are several key questions to ask yourself: What to Eat Before Yoga Class The proper diet is important in order to maximize any yoga practice. With Dallas hot yoga, eating appropriately before a yoga class is particularly important. Here, we combine the extreme temperatures of the Texas environment with the extreme heat of the yoga studio. To equip our bodies with the stamina to really use the heat, and to allow our bodies to work efficiently during practice, eating healthy food on a yoga-friendly schedule is an important key to a successful practice. 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: Open your eyes immediately, hop up, hang up your mat, and flee the room? Lie there for a few minutes, worrying about “to dos” still on your list? Acknowledge the effort you just exuded and allow your breath to assist in clearing your head and calming your body? All of the Above. Pilates vs Yoga Pilates vs Yoga – Which is Right for You? Since I was given the opportunity of growing up overseas as a Missionary girl; I learned at a young age to value the art of learning to understand where concepts originated from – so that would include the practice of Pilates or Yoga. I can share with you what I have learned so far and maybe you might be able to add something of value to your own experiences and journey. Comments are closed.