Alicia King's Blog
Posted by Alicia King
At the beginning of your Yoga Practice, your instructor might suggest that you set an intention. This can be something as simple as “relaxation,” or “being present in the moment.”
It may be something concrete and finite: “get this kink out of my neck.”
I like to take that same approach to my intention setting for the year ahead. As I wrote in Mindful and Meaningful Holidays, taking a few moments for introspection is one way to determine what matters to you the most.
I like to take stock of where I've come from, and I look at how far I've journeyed already.
Each December, I haul out my old journals and find the year’s list of goals and intentions. I have checked in with these periodically throughout the course of 2007, so they come as no surprise.
This year I threw a party, had laser eye surgery, bought my domain name, connected with old friends, and went on adventures. I took Tango lessons, attended Advisory Council meetings, tried to skate in a pair of Heelys and fell down in front of all of the valet attendants at the W. I visited my parents and I rode my bicycle. I tried things that weren’t on the original list, like writing for Suite 101.
I accomplished things that I didn’t know were possible. Yet, there are a handful of goals I didn’t achieve this year, like going skydiving again, climbing a rock wall, or belly dancing.
Consider how far you’ve come in your own practice, in your own life.
How much of your past have you already overcome?
How much wisdom have you already gained?
Before you step forward into the New Year, take a moment to respect the old fellow you’re ushering out the door.
Posted by Alicia King
Thanks to the myriad benefits of a regular mind-body practice, many of my fellow yoga students have changed their regular visits to chiropractors, therapists and masseuses to an “as needed” basis.
I have to admit, I'm guilty of the same thing.
About a year ago, I had a knot in my back that no amount of stretching seemed to work out, so I made my way into the neighborhood massage school for a student-clinician to work out the kinks manually.
With the exception of those surrounding a particular thoracic vertebra, she pronounced the rest of my muscles “Smooth sailing”.
About midway through my decadent 60 minutes, she paused. “You haven’t had a massage in a year? ... If you don’t mind me asking, what on earth do you do to stay so relaxed?”
Following my muffled, slurring reply through the little face-hole on the table, I heard her whisper behind me, “Note to self: take up yoga!”
Posted by Alicia King
I know, with the Holidays fast approaching it’s hard to concentrate at all, especially when we’re still giggling about Yoga Blunders!
It is never the wrong time to get serious about safety.
In my article Five Safety Tips for Yoga Class, I note that we should all pay attention to the guidance from our own bodies.
In order to truly understand what our bodies may be telling us, it can be useful to delve more deeply into the muscles and bones that we are using for various poses and functions. In my review of the book “Yoga Anatomy” by Leslie Kaminoff, we explore what it means to look at a pose from a new angle: literally upside-down and inside out. I have also begun exploring certain key areas of the human anatomy, and how these areas of the body relate to our yoga practice.
Several Suite 101 writers have discussed the relationship between yoga and the breath because it is the most important part of a mind-body practice like Yoga or Pilates. For further exploration, we also have an overview of the involuntary and voluntary muscle that controls breathing: the diaphragm, the concepts of Yin Yoga and breathing into pain, and the pros and cons of Bikram Yoga.
The most important skeletal structure for every yogi is the spine, so there are several new articles about Spine Safety, and detailed articles about the three portions of the spine: Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar. Each includes notes about which Yoga poses students should be careful when practicing.
Outside of the Yoga / Pilates topic, I’ve also introduced some Common Yoga Injuries to the folks in health & sports medicine.
Posted by Alicia King
Balancing in Bow, we had our ankles in our hands, backs bent with swan-like grace to the sky and Belinda, my yoga instructor said "You can rock if you want to"... Instantly, the lyrics of "The Safety Dance" popped into my head.
At the same moment, I heard Liz snicker beside me.
We made eye contact.
All hope was lost.
We were done for.
Collapsing into fits of giggles on the floor, our mirthful contagion spreading, Liz and I were helpless against the laughter consuming us. To this day, we couldn't tell you what was so hilarious about that moment.
Lucky for us, Belinda was also caught in the gale, or we would have been asked to leave!
Perhaps because of its increasing popularity, the lighter side of yoga is getting a bit more public attention these days, from YouTube to the New York Times.
Please take a moment to share your favorite Yoga laughs and stories by voting in our poll and visiting the discussion board!!
Posted by Alicia King
The moments I spend on my yoga mat, riding my bike, or walking are the few instants I get to myself every day. Working out is one thing that I do for myself, for my health and state of mind.
I am also guilty of skipping my workouts when things get hectic and busy. Because it is for me alone, because I wouldn’t have to turn down or disappoint anyone but myself, I think this gives me the right to neglect my self for weeks at a time while the rest of my life explodes with flurry and frustration.
What I’ve had to learn the hard way is that skipping these workouts should be a last resort.
My entire life suffers when I skip my workouts. I am not as productive, I can’t concentrate, my stress levels skyrocket, and my relationships suffer because I am resentful and grumpy about having to spend time with people I care about the most.
I can cancel dates and parties. I can write loving notes to my far-flung relatives and tell them I’m sorry I can’t visit them this year. Taking a moment to assess what matters the most to me is often all I need. Often, I only get that sense of perspective after a good workout.
If you’re anything like me, you’re already making holiday card lists and worrying about gifts on a budget. (Feel free to send your loved ones a tip about the Yoga Lover’s Gift Guide if they need ideas!) I’m already booked with three parties to attend.
Do yourself a favor: don’t skip your workouts. You’ll feel better, be more able to indulge in Holiday goodies (in moderation, of course)
