Well, there are many....but here goes with a few:
1. Take time out from your normal routine to connect body, mind, soul, breath. It pays dividends, you know. We often forget the simple things, such as how to breathe: deeply, completely, filling the body with fresh energy (prana). Somehow life seems simpler, problems smaller when we take a lovely deep breath in and just allow the shoulders to drop, tension to release, with a long, slow exhale.
2. To get those limbs moving. Ever heard the phrase "use it or lose it?". Usually thought to apply to our brains. Well it applies to our joints as well. Unless we take our bodies through the full range of available movement everyday then the range of available movement shrinks. Do you remember being able to touch your toes as a child? Can you still do it?
3. Learn to relax. And I mean quality relaxation, not the veg out in front of the telly kind. Nothing wrong with that either but until you have tried yoga relaxation (yoga nidra) then you don't know what you are missing. Twenty minutes yoga relaxation can be the equivalent of a couple of hours good quality sleep. And we could all use a little more of that!
4. Getting to know yourself just a little bit better. Time spent on a yoga mat is time for honesty with yourself. You check in with how you are feeling on that day. Is your lower back a little bit delicate? Or maybe the knees are a little stiff. The rich and excessive food at the weekend is maybe making the whole system feel a little sluggish. Is this how I want to feel? Really?? Time spent with yoga reminds us that we need to look after ourselves. We decide to eat better and probably less food. We are more thoughtful about what we put into our bodies, the quality and volume of both food and alcohol. Being mindful and aware teaches us to listen to our bodies and educate ourselves about what is necessary. Learning to tune into your body at a yoga class is a good way to start your life long journey of becoming more aware.
5. Topical for the new year is de-tox. Our bodies are great at doing this anyway, but we will give them a little helping hand by focusing on yoga poses to ignite the inner fire and find reservoirs of energy.
6. So, January 2012. Are you going to set a New Year’s resolution that will as usual be forgotten after a week? Or are you going to start a New Year’s revolution to transform the quality of your life?
