The power of short, simple practices for cultivating calm & courage
When I first started practising yoga I was working and studying, with a young family. I knew I’d found something I loved and that kept my stressed out system calmer, but I didn’t have much time. All I could do was get up a few minutes early and treat myself to just two simple poses.
Those few minutes a day taught me the life-changing potential for a 5 minute practice to change my life. I learned not to underestimate the benefits of something short & simple, done consistently.
If you want to weave some nourishing self-care into your life but it’s hard to find the time or to know where to start, I hope these practices might help. Click on each picture to listen or watch & download …
Finding time for calm in real life: challenges, frustrations & how to overcome them.
Whether you’re wanting to add 15 minutes of mindful movement into your life, or 20 minutes of yoga nidra deep relaxation, 10 minutes of a restorative resting pose , or even just 5 minutes of meditation, you might experience some very common challenges.
Here are the 4 most common challenges I hear, and tips on how to overcome them.
3 body-based practices for finding your calm
Three easy & effective body-based practices to feel more calm & relaxed in body & mind.
Tips for better sleep
The impacts of inadequate sleep can include poor memory, trouble concentrating, heart disease, increased blood pressure, metabolism dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, weakened immune system and increased inflammation, so anything that helps us sleep better is going to help us to stay healthy. Many of these tips have long been recommended by the wisdom of Ayurveda, and are now also backed up by research.
Peace of Mind: Some Benefits of Yoga Nidra (guided relaxation practice)
If I had to choose between a physical practice, a sitting meditation, or a Yoga nidra, I would choose Yoga nidra for all the benefits it has for the mind and body. The best thing about Yoga nidra is that anyone can easily do it and by doing it consistently, receive the benefits of it. Even just practising a 20 minute Yoga nidra a few times a week will be beneficial.
How to get over the guilt, and rest
Isn’t there something a bit dysfunctional about a world in which we don’t feel we can stop and rest for just 20 minutes? Does anything in nature run full speed endlessly without rest? Thinking ourselves to be above nature hasn’t worked out well for us so far.
Rest & Replenish with Legs-Up pose
If I had to recommend only one modern Yoga pose, it would be “Legs Up” pose. Simple, easy, & deeply restorative, this pose can be used to replenish your energy, nurture your adrenals and promote deep relaxation.