Sun salutation, mountain pose, downward dog, being present... Sound familiar? Well, all these "strange" words refer to an ancient discipline that helps balance the body and mind, originating in India: Yoga .
The main goal of yoga is to find the best version of oneself. Its practice should be honest and challenging, but always without forcing or judging ourselves at any time.
Yoga encompasses our entire being, and when you hear someone say that yoga as a way of life has changed their days, believe them! Because even though it may be difficult to understand, it's something completely true that you discover the moment you practice it. In fact, I can tell you that practicing yoga has changed my own life.
Yoga reveals to us that nothing is separate from the Whole. That's why we at Namastecita want to give you some humble advice if you're looking to achieve the same thing.
How to make Yoga a lifestyle?
But the most frequently asked question is, how does yoga become a lifestyle? Obviously, practicing yoga one day won't change our lives; transformation is a process , and yoga needs time to mature and conquer us. The first and most important thing is to want to start, and from there, realize that you're already on the path.
You will begin to notice little by little how badly we tend to sit, how little attention we pay to our breathing, how difficult it is to relax, how resistant we are to remaining in what is uncomfortable, and so I could continue naming what abhyasa yoga shows you and illuminates you as you begin this way of life.
I want to tell you that if you are there, you are on the right path, at the beginning of yoga.
Keep in mind that each asana has a higher purpose , and they are much more than simple postures. If you start practicing it today, you're sure to make yoga your way of life at the right time.
It's not just about strength, endurance, or flexibility. Yoga is very effective for relaxing, combating stress and anxiety, sleeping better, and improving back posture, among many other benefits that everyone should enjoy.
The true TRANSFORMATION.
Let's keep in mind that this discipline has endured for millennia and has transformed millions of lives throughout history.
Strengthening your knowledge of this discipline is a great step toward transformation. This doesn't mean I'm suddenly a different person, but rather that I'm the same person evolving through compassion, mindfulness, and discipline. Why do I say this? Because demanding and failing to listen to our own limits (physical and mental) are completely opposed to this transformation.
Yoga adapts to each of us , to each moment we're going through, to each movement or leap we need to take, to each entrance, stay, and exit. Without self-observation, study, or a teacher , fitness and asanas are simply the gateway to your inner universe.
With Namastecita, you're one step closer to making yoga your lifestyle.
My practical advice
Okay, a lot of blah blah blah, but how do you achieve all this? Here are some tips that, based on my personal experience, have helped me.
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Do n't overdo it from the start: The first step is to buy a non-slip yoga mat and put on a YouTube video. Obviously, it's best if you can attend in-person yoga classes, but maybe you're not ready yet, or willing to invest in it. I, for example, like to follow the practices of Elena Malova or Xuan Lan. They have 15-minute videos, perfect for getting started, and a first goal could be to do one of these short practices every day.
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Dedicate 5 minutes a day to just breathing : It's all about practice. Do what comes to you, accept all the thoughts that come. Meditation is the exercise of paying attention, not attention itself. We practice to gradually increase our attention.
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Set a practice schedule: This is the first way to incorporate it into your routine. For example, I love doing it in the morning, and I've been doing it for so long that if I don't do it one day, my body demands it.
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Prepare your "mini yoga space": Feel comfortable. Experiment with different spaces and ways of placing your mat. I love lighting candles, incense, using aromatic oils, soft lighting, having a yoga mat... What do you like?
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Wait until you feel ready for the next step : No pressure. Your body and soul will guide you when you need a change. In my case, after two years of practicing yoga only with YouTube videos, I felt it was time to take a class and do it in a more technical and professional way.
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Buy eco-friendly yoga mats: Respect for the environment is fundamental to yoga philosophy. A natural rubber mat from Namastecita can make a difference in your practice.
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Use non-slip mats : To avoid injuries and improve your stability, a Namastecita 4mm or 6mm non-slip yoga mat is ideal.
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Share your experiences: Express how yoga makes you feel, talk with other practitioners to enrich your path and that of others.
Namastecita
