Yoga Fix 30 - Day 8 - HIIT Yoga
Into Week 2
"The question is not what you look at, but what you see."
-Henry David Thoreau
Here we are into our second week. Were you able to do all of the videos for week 1? If so, that's awesome and if not, not judgement. This isn't a race. I don't remember who said it but life is not a sprint, it's a marathon. You can take these classes at your own pace. They are here for you! Practice today's affirmation from Louise Hay:
"I rejoice in who I am. I am a beautiful expression of life, flowing perfectly at all times." Today's class is a challenging HIIT practice so remember your affirmation!!
Additional "homework:" Energy flows where there's space for it to do so. If you have some clutter around your home (I know I do!) then start to get rid of it today. This homework might take some extra time, but it's worth the effort. Donate things that you don't use. File that paperwork, throw away things you don't need. Your life will feel much lighter! I'm getting excited about doing it just by writing this!!
Love,
Lesley
PS I would love to see you in person!! I have some retreats coming up In the US in Santa Cruz, California and in Sedona, Arizona. Go here for more information and to access links to sign up...I hope to see you soon! xoxo
Yoga Fix 30 - Day 13 - Total Body Vinyasa Flow
Practice and let go!
"The appearance of things changes according to the emotions and thus we see magic and beauty in them, while the magic and beauty are really in ourselves."
-Kahlil Gibran
Thank you for opening this message. I love that you're still participating in this 30-day program. Please, please, please do not worry if you're not doing it perfectly. If you miss a day, just continue as soon as you can. You many have heard me say, "just do your practice and let go of the results." In the Yoga Sutras, this is called "Abhyasa and Vairagya" Yoga is all about finding balance. We find balance in our physical bodies on the mat as we move through postures. We balance as we link our breath with our movement. We find the balance while generating heat in the body and then cooling it down. We must also remember to balance the mind by letting go of how we think things "should" be or what we think we should be able to achieve on our mats or in our lives. Just do your best. Don't you dare give up on yourself! Let the mysteries of yoga and life unfold as they will. Here is today's Louise Hay affirmation...it goes really well with Abhyasa and Vairagya:
"There is time and space for everything I need to do. I am at peace."
Additional "homework:" Get your journal out and write about something you were worried about recently and then how it resolved. Next, write about what your yoga practice was like when you first began and how it has evolved over time. What postures did you used to struggle with that have gotten easier? What are some things that you're struggling with now? How can you let go of the struggle? Finally, write down 10 things that you're grateful for.
Love,
Lesley
PS Remember to check out my upcoming retreats because Fightmaster yogi's are super amazing people and I promise that you'll love spending time together! http://www.fightmasteryoga.com/new-events/
Yoga Fix 30 - Day 14 - Gentle Yoga and Pranayama
Extend your life!
"We are shaped and fashioned by what we love."
-Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this message! Today's yoga video focuses on a pranayama practice. The word "prana" in Sanskrit means 'life force or energy" and "ayama" means "to extend." When we practice prananyama, we're literally extending our life! I remember hearing that T. Krishnamacharya. known as the father of modern yoga, said a yogi's life isn't measured by the number of years but is measured instead by the number of breaths. It is said that T. Krishnamacharya predicted that he would live to be 100 years old because he said that he would regulate his breath to live that long. He was 100 years old when he died.
Normally, on average, we only use about 30% of our lung capacity. Pranayama practice helps to increase that capacity, and taking longer, breaths enriches our blood with more oxygen. It also can help bring about feelings of peace and well-being.
Today's affirmation to practice is:
"I trust the process of life. All I need is always taken care of. I am safe."
Additional "homework:" Practice extending your breath today. Sit or lay down and begin inhaling for the count of 4 and then exhaling for the count of 4, as you continue, increase your count. See how long your can increase your inhale/exhale without causing any straining.
Love,
Lesley
PS Become a patron of Fightmaster Yoga and receive access to a week's worth of additional yoga videos that will begin after the last day of YogaFix30. These additional videos will only be available to Fightmaster Yoga patrons! Check out our community at http://www.patreon.com/fightmasteryoga
Yoga Fix 30 - Day 16 - Yoga Stretch
Ahhhh....Stretch!
"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."
-Viktor Frankl
Welcome to day 16! I'm overjoyed that you're still addicted...to yoga! Today's video has some yummy stretching. You know when you first wake up in the morning and your reach through your arms and legs and it feels so wonderful to stretch out your whole body?? I just love that! I must admit that the stretching in this video might not feel quite as good as your stretching in your bed in the morning, but it's close! If you're not a fan of yoga stretches yet, keep at it...you'll really start to enjoy it soon enough!
Remember, I encourage you to repeat each day's affirmation at least 10 times out loud if you can, or in your mind if you feel like there are too many people around (I totally get it!). Here it is:
"I now choose to live in the every-joyous NOW. My life is a joy"
Additional "homework:" Listen to music that you love and makes you happy! Sing along at home or in the car...as loudly as you like!! It's such an awesome thing to do!!!! Let me know how it made you feel!!!
Love,
Lesley
PS I'll be teaching in Santa Cruz, CA and in Sedona, AZ this spring and I'd LOVE to see you!!! Click here for more information. xoxoxox
Yoga Fix 30 - Day 17 - Strong abs!
Sometimes the seemingly bad leads to the good.
"Barn's burnt down. Now I can see the moon."
-Mizuta Masahide
In today's video, we're going to work on strengthening our abdominal and core muscles...it's kind of intense, but don't worry...it goes by quickly! Notice how it feels to practice your Agni Sara pranayama (when you exhale all the air out and then strongly pull your belly in and up). How does it feel? Is it getting any easier?
And to keep our minds strong and clear, here is our Louise Hay affirmation for today...keep practicing these!!
"Divine Spirit is the structure of my life. I am safe and loved and totally supported."
Additional "homework:" Have you ever had a situation that you thought was the worst thing possible turn out to be an awesome thing? Write about it!!
Love,
Lesley
PS I have been blessed to have met the incredibly gifted Tina (Ciavarella) West a few years ago. She's an amazing healer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia but she's able to offer healing to people all over the world. I've benefited from healing she's sent me all the way from Australia to California. It's pretty incredible...really! She recently contacted me to offer you 10% off of any of her services and I encourage you to check her out: http://www.fortitudewellbeing.net and mention Fightmaster Yoga to receive your discount.