7 Best Practices For Yoga Fans To Do At Home To Celebrate International Yoga Day
Words by Francesca Secolonovo
To celebrate the many layers that make up yoga here are 7 practices you can do at home in honour of International Yoga Day.
Let’s MEDITATE: Dharana
The goal of Dharana in yoga is the ability to have focused concentration.
A practice you can do is to sit yourself down comfortably, close your eyes and take yourself through a simple body scan. Beginning at the crown of your head all the way down to your feet and simply bring awareness to each part of your body. Noticing any tightness, areas that feel spacious and not judging just noticing what is there. Take yourself through 3 rounds and then allow yourself to open your eyes, ready to start your day feeling connected to yourself.
Let’s BREATHE: Pranayama
Taking yourself back to that space where you won’t be disturbed and take yourself through this simple yet potent pranayama sequence. Inhale for 4 – exhale for 6 – and repeat this for 3-5mins. The extended exhale will help to calm the mind.
Let’s MOVE: Asana
When we think of yoga most of us are very familiar with Asana. There are many different forms out there so take the time to find a practice that feels good for you. From Hatha, Yin, Vinyasa, Kundalini and Sattva just to name a few.
Self STUDY: Svadhyaya
Yoga is more than what we do on our mats. It’s a way of life and taking the time to read and understand some of the most important scriptures in yoga, and to then reflect them upon our own self-development can help to deepen our view of Yoga and within the way we approach it.
Practice GRATITUDE: Santosha
Grabbing your journal and make a list of all the things you’re currently grateful for. Taking the time to focus on what you have rather than what you don’t helps us to maintain a positive outlook on life.
Live a life of REVERENCE and DEVOTION: Bhakti
Bhakti is the path of love and devotion. Celebrating the beauty of life. A wonderful activity would be learning a simple mantra and sharing that mantra through singing or perhaps adding a Japa practice to your daily Sadhana (daily spiritual practice).
Be Kind: Ahimsa
An essential practise is cultivating the awareness of how can we become kinder towards ourselves. Perhaps celebrating our small wins more, using kinder words towards ourselves, listening to our own emotional and physical needs… The kinder we can work on being towards ourselves on a daily basis the deeper our capacity becomes to meet others in the same way.
