The Best of 2016

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2016 year in review, gratitude, happiness, perspective, reasons to be grateful, yoga bodies, yoga mindfulness, yoga retreat, Yoga With Paul

I’ve heard a lot of talk about 2016 being “the worst year ever” and so on but… was it?

Instead of focusing on all the bad things that happened in the past year, let’s take some time to think about the things we have to be grateful for.

We are fortunate enough to live in a country at peace, with access to health care, food, and shelter. We have friends, family, love, work and hobbies. On the whole, we have much to be grateful for, and much to celebrate as we look back over the past 12 months.

Personally, I’m grateful for

1. the opportunity to attend the Samye Ling meditation retreat
2. another fantastic Yoga Holiday with Paul in the Algarve
3. expanding my Vinyasa flow yoga teaching and practice
4. London’s cultural delights like Undressed at the V&A
5. my wonderful community of yoga friends

Your turn… Please share 5 things you’re grateful for in the comments or Tweet your gratitude list to @YogaWithPaul

 

 

 

Positive Effects of Backbends

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backbend benefits, healing yoga, healthy attitude, mindfulness, perspective, positive yoga, yoga anxiety, yoga benefits, yoga calming, yoga spine, Yoga With Paul

Backbends are a challenging element of yoga. They require us to do the opposite of what feels comfortable and “normal” — at least at first. As we grow in our practice we experience the positive effects of backbends and build mental and physical flexibility.

Blogger and yogi Lindsay Dahl shared an inspiring post on 11 benefits of backbends. Enjoy these three excerpts and can read the whole post here…

Relieve anxiety and stress

One of the most notable benefits of backbends is relief of anxiety and stress. As I mentioned earlier, a daily backbend routine can do wonders to eliminate chronic anxiety that racks our bodies and minds. By opening up the front of your body,  you release and break through stress. To do so takes mental determination, discipline and dedication.

Approach each backbend with a can-do attitude and tell yourself you will stay in the posture and breathe. Breathing is one of the most important elements to a properly executed backbend. If you’re experiencing chronic anxiety, increase the number of days you practice yoga each week. I’ve found that a more consistent practice keeps anxiety in check.

Opens your mind and heart to new possibilities

By releasing and countering some of the tension on the backs of our spines (think shoulders and lower back) we can open up the front of our bodies to new people and experiences. Increasingly, flexibility in the body mirrors itself in our minds.

Relieves insomnia and restlessness

If your mind is racing when you lay in bed, get out and do camel pose. Just a minute in this posture will help release the mental chatter and tension in your body. I’ve done this several times and it’s amazing how fast it works. Make sure to breathe while doing the posture and do a few sets if you need to. It’s so simple, and so effective.

Questions about backbends? Ask in the comments!