Life Pro Tip: When you call a yoga teacher for advice…

When you call a yoga teacher for advice, they are going to tell you to get to a yoga class and to practice often.

For some reason, I think folks who call me are surprised when I tell them this… I think that many think I’m some sort of wizard and I have a magic pill or prescription that will work instantly. There are so many things yoga teachers want to share with their students and try to help their students understand. The most important, the biggest one, the end-all-be-all is this… practice, practice, practice.

Yes, we know you are trying to perfect your bow posture and learn how to touch your toes. We want to help you ease your sciatic pain, back pain, knee pain, head pain and every other pain you have. We know you want to lose weight and feel better and get in shape and feel good about yourself. We know and we want to help you, but the simple truth is – only you can help you. We can guide you and advise you, but it’s up to you to get on your mat and into the yoga room because this is how you will learn from personal experience. Words don't teach so we can tell you these things until we are blue in the face. The only way for you to understand and know them for yourself is to get on your mat and practice yoga as often as you can.

​A few things your yoga teacher wants you to know:

1. Practice often. Every day is ideal. If you can’t practice every day, at least 2-3 times a week. If you don’t have time to practice, find a way.
2. Breathe. The most important part of a physical, hatha yoga practice is your breathing. If you aren’t breathing in your yoga postures, you aren’t doing yoga.
3. Focus – don’t worry about what everyone else is wearing, what anyone else is doing in the room. If the heavy breather next to you bothers you? It's not him, it's you. There will always be heavy breathers, there will always be people or conditions in your yoga class that you don’t find “ideal.” Don’t allow your mind to make your experience in yoga a conditional one. Focus within. Focus, concentrate, meditate.
4. Less is more. You don’t need fancy drinks, water bottles, clothes or yoga gear. All of these things get in the way of to your ability to focus. Less is more - keep your practice area clear so that you can focus your mind. If your water bottle is half way across the room or your are sharing it with someone else it will become a distraction to you and everyone else. If you are wearing uncomfortable clothes or are overly concerned with how straight your mat and towel are, you will again be distracted. Simplify and learn to concentrate on you and ONLY you.
5. Personal Hygiene. Please... be aware of your personal hygiene. If you are sick, don't come to class. If you are blowing your nose, please don't put your tissues directly on the floor for others to step on as they leave, keep them on your mat. If you are a super sweater, bring an extra towel to catch your sweat and for goodness sake, if you are dripping like a faucet after class either clean your mess or ask the teacher for help. Learn to become aware of yourself, your surroundings and be respectful of others. 
6. READ. Read yoga books. If you practice a specific style of yoga, ask the teacher/studio owner for recommendations on books about the style you like. Educate yourself and ask questions. Take responsibility for your understanding of your yoga, your body and most importantly, your mind.
7. Hydrate. The reason you are struggling in hot yoga is because you aren’t properly hydrated and nourished. Give your body time to adjust and acclimate to hot yoga and above all, you must hydrate well before and after class. This is a MUST. Remember, it’s about balance. Don’t over do it, just drink the recommended amount of water for your body weight on a regular basis.
8. It doesn't matter what you do, it's how you do it. At the end of the day, the only thing you can control at any given moment in your life is your level of consciousness at that moment. When you are practicing yoga - practice yoga. When you are with your family, be with your family, when you are resting, rest. Learn to focus your mind so that you can be where you are fully.
9. In sum: Practice, Practice, Practice.

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