Om Shanti Om
The word yoga can be first seen in ancient Indian sacred text some 5,000 years ago. Today yoga is practiced by millions around the world - physically, mentally & spiritually.
There are various styles of yoga and many of them combined physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation or relaxation. To simply put what yoga is…it ‘is the union between the body, mind, and spirit’ (Types of Yoga: A Guide to Different Styles). According to the article just mentioned, there are 13 different types of yoga. Here are some of my favourites:
Vinyasa Yoga: A common style of yoga that can also be called flow yoga or vinyasa flow. It’s perfect for beginners and those who have been practicing for years. Vinyasa yoga has more movement and less stillness. I love this type because of the constant flow and movement during my practice. It’s an active/powerful flow yet calming with synchronized breathing techniques.
Hatha Yoga: A balanced and a more gentler practice. “Hatha yoga derives its name from the Sanskrit words for sun and moon, and it’s designed to balance opposing forces. The balance in hatha yoga might come from strength and flexibility, physical and mental energy, or breath and the body” (Types of Yoga: A Guide to Different Styles). I adore this style of yoga because of the balance in the practice. It teaches you the moves and the breathing techniques while flowing through them.
Yin Yoga: Newly loved be me and yet it has been loved all over the world for many years. Yin yoga is a much slower practice where poses can be held anywhere from 1 - 5+ minutes. It is designed to help increase flexibility and circulation in the joints. When I first started yoga…I could barely hold a pose for 30 seconds and I couldn’t wait to move onto the next one. This is where people can become discouraged with yoga. Yin yoga, to me, is much more difficult than the other two styles I mentioned above. Since becoming more flexible and patient during my practice, I now love this style. It’s hard but you feel released afterword.
Bikram Yoga: I LOVE this style. Many studios simply refer to this style of practice as hot yoga. In room that’s 106℉ for 90 minutes. Sounds a bit insane at first but trust me! You’ll feel so amazing after. The heat increases your flexibility to deepen your postures, improves circulation and aids in detoxifying the body. Bring you water and a towel for this practice!
I’ve been practicing yoga on and off for about 8 years. Believe me when I say it takes time. Do not be hard on yourself for the first while. Some days are better than others and as well, your right side can be tighter than the left (or vice versa). Don’t stress the poses. Just go as deep as you can. I’m still not able to forward fold all the way without bending my knees. I’m still not able to float to the top of my mat after a downward dog. Some days I can hold a high lung and other days I need to out my knee on the mat. Everyday is different and that’s okay.
Side note: I recently got great knowledge from a lovely human I’ve been following on instagram @elisempowers. She said in one of her IG stories that humans naturally go through phases. One week you my feel so productive and you get some many things done and have so many creative ideas and then in a few weeks (or months) we feel like we' haven’t done anything productive or you can’t think of driving ideas for your business or life. And this is okay! She told us to accept it and just play it out. Don’t force yourself to think about it because as well the outcome may not be as great as when you’re in the right state of mind when your energy is higher. Just a little something to think about.
One of the things that’s hard to do during yoga is breathing! Try not to hold your breath. Listen to your teacher and breath when they say. It’s part of the practice and the experience. Only since last year was I able to tell my body to do this. It’s hard at first, trust me I know, but it’s so worth it.
“Quiet the mind and the soul will speak” - Buddah
— Why I started practicing yoga —
I started practicing yoga for loosing weight and simply a form of being active. I have now shifted that into wanting to become more flexible and one with my practice. I want to start digesting the spirituality of it and connecting with it. I want to learn to surrender my body and flow through it, using the energy I gain from my practice into my daily life.
— My goals with yoga —
Continue my practices more and more. Understand the flows and techniques. Become more flexible and be able to float through my poses. Teach myself and eventually take a course to become a certified yoga teacher. I’ve decided that since I love doing yoga, I want to help people do the same. Help them find their way through it. Love themselves through it. People do yoga for many different reasons - workout, flexibility, stress relief, etc. Whatever the reason I want to be there for them.
— What have i gained from practicing yoga —
I have gained patience, serenity and calmness. I’ve gained flexibility and a sense of being centred. I love how it can sooth the soul and aid in your health - mentally and physically. Yoga is a number of different things and can call differently to everyone.
— Stay positive! you got this —
I know yoga may look easy. The people you see doing it look so seamless. But don’t forget they have been practicing. Give yourself a chance with it and don’t give up after a few classes. Keep going and focus only on yourself. It took me many years to know the names of the poses and to learn breathing techniques. I used to hold my breath a lot and have to look at the teacher for every single move. The more you do it the more your body will learn. It’ll learn to breath and slow down. It’ll know what’s coming next - the flow of your salutation. Just close your eyes and listen.
— Tips to help you get started —
Yoga is a nice and peaceful experience and therefore you should surround yourself with equipment and people that call to you. Ironically I chose 7 tips (7 being my number) to help guide you through your journey.
Choose a mat - Consider the colour, the material and thickness. You’ll be using it for your entire practice so you may as well feel comfortable using it.
Equipment - Using a block and strap while starting off with yoga is very helpful. Like I said above…do not stress the pose. Just feel the stretch.
Find a studio/teacher you enjoy and a yoga style - It doesn’t even have to cost you a penny! Try to find a free class and give it a go (YouTube baby!). I’ve been to a few classes and not really enjoy them because of the way they were taught or the style of it. Certain people connect better with others and it’s okay if it takes you a while to find the right one. You want to feel comfortable. Sometimes it’s the way they talk or the pace they go at. It’s okay to shop around! A good style of yoga to start with is Vinyasa or Hatha yoga.
Focus on yourself - When you’re new in the room you tend to look at the other yogis and judge yourself. Why can they bend so far? How do they get their leg up that high? All these thoughts I urge you not to think. Focus solely on yourself. You’re there to practice for your own sake and not others. You will only get better by doing just this. Listen to your body and feel.
Listen to your Guru - Well obviously! But REALLY listen. They are there to guide you. They remind you of things you’re doing during your practice that may be tensing you up or habits that are not as relaxing. It’ll soon become second nature to you as you practice.
Surround yourself with zen - Whether that be in a studio, outside or in your living room…try to choose or surround yourself with items that call to you. Whether that be in the garden, on the beach, in the woods, in a hot studio or your own vibrations at home. Decorate your room with bright and fun colours (or if your tone is neutral that totally works too). Find some plants to help clean the air. Be kind to yourself and to your mind, body and soul. It’s all connected.
The little extras - Get yourself some crystals. Surround yourself with positive energy. Purchase your first mala necklace to aid in your meditation practice. Wear clothing that suits you. Whether that be a tight bra and leggings or your loose and comfortable temple pants. Try wearing your hair down! I know you can get sweaty but trust me it can feel so releasing when you do. Wear an essential oil of your choice to help sooth the soul or burn some incense or sage to help set the mood. Stay for Savasana! At the end of every practice is where it’s most important. It’s a time to relax and reflect on your mind, body and soul. Listen to your guru as they guide you through a short meditation after being active. It’ll help so much more than you think.
the most amazing sound I’ve ever heard in life so far is the chanting of ‘Om’. Have you ever heard a group of yogis chant this sacred word? If not you should definitely google it and listen. Om, which can actually be spelt ‘aum’, is often chanted 3 times before and after practice. Om is the sound of the universe as a whole. Representing the union of the mind, body and spirit.
— Why I started meditating & Using Mala BEads —
Mala beads are really new to my meditation practice…actually meditation is new to me in general! My first steps to meditation was usually at the end of my yoga practice in savasana. Listening to my guru on how to relax and release by just laying there. I came to realize some time later that meditation is super helpful.
Of course we all know the current state of the world and I found that just sitting in silence and accepting the day is a way to go. I also started playing meditation music while I went to bed. Just to release the mind and dive deep into sleep.
I then wanted to start meditating in the evenings. I sit on my couch in a comfy position and grab my Mala beads, burn an incense and put on my meditation play list on Spotify and zone out.
So to get to the point of how to use Mala beads…here’s how:
Grab your Mala and have your tassel facing you while resting the rest of your beads on the opposite hand.
You’ll notice a bead closest to the tassel. This is your guru bead. Start rotating your beads to the right using your thumb and the string resting on your middle finger, keeping the pointer finger elevated and not touching the Mala. Rotate the beads toward you as you work your way around your Mala.
As you continue to do this you can add an inhale and exhale for every bead. You may also choose to say a mantra. A Mala has 108 beads. They are used in meditation to aid in your breathing and mantras. They help focus your energy and attention should your mind want to wander off.
Once you’ve done this 108 times you’ll get back to the guru bead. This signifies you’ve completed your meditation and it’s a time to honour and recognize yourself and your mantra.
Click the link below to learn a tad more on this! It’s also where I got my information from ⇣
— motivation & advice —
I’m lucky to personally know two yogi’s that have aided me in my practice. Both Maggie and Becky teach yoga in different ways. I chose them because they are different. They have different backgrounds and stories and thoughts. They were both kind enough to answer a few questions on their own experience with yoga and give you advice of their own in hopes you’ll find adding yoga into your lifestyle. Both Maggie and Becky teach yoga classes. Contact them on social media if you’re interested in practicing with them!
Becky Ramphal
RYT 250 | Certified Meditation & Relaxation Teacher | Fitness Trainer
How long have you been practicing yoga?
I began practicing yoga – occasionally – about 10 years ago with my mom by watching YouTube channels, but dedicated more focus and persistence roughly six years ago after an injury.
Why did you start practicing yoga/what or who influenced you?
When I was in rehab from my hip surgery, six years ago, I began to more heavily research into yoga for ways to alleviate pain, and bring more mobility to my hip and low back. I was basically learning how to walk again, and the impact my joints had taken over the years from contact sports and past injuries, was catching up on me – only being 20 at the time, it wasn’t something I was particularly thrilled about. But I had no idea I was only touching the surface of what yoga could do for me until I began seeking its benefits for my mental health. After university, I pursued looking into my mental limitations and emotional imbalances from a developmental perspective, and it lead me to re-evaluate my career, my lifestyle and my everyday choices. I was noticing struggles in my day-to-day life that I didn’t experience to the same degree when I was in a set regiment with school, lacrosse, and work. I discovered after doing a Psychoeducational Assessment, that I have an Executive Functioning Disorder with Anxiety and Depression. A part of me struggled with the resentment that I hadn’t found this out earlier, and had to develop skills to catch up to those around me, and maintain the high-standards I thought I had to reach – pushing myself to unnecessary limits to be the best in school, at work, on the field or in the ring. But, my brain works differently, and I am slowly beginning to learn and accept that it is a thousand times OK that it does. I am my most successful in a role where I can be physically active, out-of-the-box with my thinking, and capable of exploring my imagination. Yoga – specifically children’s yoga – are where I have found my safe place to be myself and influence the next generation to be themselves too. It is an escape for me from the harsh judgement of reality, and brings me inward to a place I am in control of. Helping people find their inner control themselves, and become comfortable, loving and accepting of ALL of who they are, is what brings me happiness. Yoga, I guess you can say, was the influence I needed in my life, to be OK with loving all of who I am, and to actually begin living.
What advice can you give someone that’s just starting off practicing yoga?
Do not get frustrated that you cannot do exactly what the picture, video or instructor is doing. You most likely will never do it the same – everyone’s body is different in proportion, flexibility and strength. Be OK with falling out of the poses, or losing your focus while meditating; the practice comes from doing it again, and again. You’ll never be perfect at one aspect or another, but you can be persistent and your mind, body and soul, will thank you for that. Start with your breath, and then work from there. Your breath is where you’ll find your strength and focus, allow it to be your guide.
What have you gained from practicing yoga?
Through yoga, I have gained a better insight into what makes me tick, and it has built my confidence. Teaching yoga has provided me with a much deeper understanding as to how the body works, how the connection to your mental well-being plays a role in your physical health, and how much the breath actually influences your overall self.
Being able to share my knowledge with others to help them find their own understanding ignites a feeling inside me I cannot explain. I have gained a new appreciation for my intrinsic muscles and how strong they actually are. I feel the strongest I have ever felt in a long time, but through yoga I have gained the acceptance that I always have room for improvement and that is never a bad thing to need it. Yoga has opened my mind physically, mentally and spiritually.
What’s your favourite part of yoga? (the stretching, the spirituality of it, etc.)
My favourite part of yoga is flowing. Especially when I have taken the time to turn inward and find my breath before I begin; it takes me to another dimension. It feels like I am floating, and moving through my space in such a powerful way all at the same time. Having all three bodies connected – I feel unstoppable, and I am excited to continue to explore where yoga can take me within them.
What has been the most difficult thing during the time of your practice?
Actually starting. Taking the time for my own practice, and not feeling guilty for it. I struggle with giving myself down time and not feeling anxious that I have something I need to be doing, or work that should have been done beforehand. But, what I have learned, is when I don’t take the time for myself, and work/other people’s needs become my priority, I cannot do those roles well anyway because I am not at a level space within myself to function how I should. I feel uneasy and unsettled when I don’t take the time to align my mind, with my body. With my Executive Functioning Disorder, it is hard to balance, and even out; I especially struggle with managing my time, and emotions. When I don’t take the time to do my practice, I find I am more on edge and easier to get off track with my day. The hardest part of my yoga experience is actually taking the time to experience it.
Show off! Tell us a little bit about your self:
My whole life I have been a competitive athlete in hockey and lacrosse, and had the opportunity to pursue my dream of playing with Team Canada for lacrosse. I made it to the top 25 when I was 16 years old, and this lead me to earning an athletic scholarship to Gannon University in Erie, Pa. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism Communication with a minor in Advertising Communication, and I earned the Journalism Award for my graduating year while being the editor-in-chief of The Gannon Knight Newspaper. After graduation I worked an office job – which I didn’t like at all – and one year later began my career as a yoga instructor. After earning my 250 HR RYT Certificate, I began my own business, Purple Yoga. First I was doing yoga out of a bar I managed on the side, and then I started working on a contract with a company in Markham where I came in on their lunch breaks to teach a 45-minute class. Slowly, my career grew into working with Oxygen Yoga teaching hot yoga and fitness. I then began my 300 HR Children’s Yoga with a focus on children with special needs – because I was loving the side job I had of being a nanny to two awesome boys –and am almost done my course! I have also been hosting classes in a local park while doing personal yoga and fitness classes as well for clients at their home, or in their pool for joint pain alleviation. For hobbies, I enjoy practicing muay thai, (I have been studying the martial art for almost eight years now), reading, I love to oil paint, draw and write, as well as be outside as much as possible to camp, go canoeing, hiking, or even just sitting in the sun. ☺︎
IG: yogi.beck
Maggie Callaghan
Fertility Yoga Guru & Coach | Published author
How long have you been practicing yoga?
I have been practicing yoga for 6 years! I started at the end of 2013 and committed fully early 2014.
Why did you start practicing yoga/what or who influenced you?
I had been in a bad place in my life when I decided to take the plunge. I was struggling with my high stress job and I was unhappy about my body and read a bunch of articles about yoga and weight loss, so I figured I'd try it out. It took me cancelling my class like a dozen times before I finally stopped being afraid and went to a local studio 😂
What advice can you give someone that’s just starting off practicing yoga?
I would say if you're new to yoga try a variety of styles, practice with a variety of teachers and try out different studios. Every teacher is different and brings something to the table and one style, teacher or studio may not fit. That doesn't mean yoga isn't for you!
What have you gained from practicing yoga?
I would say I know my body better than I ever have through yoga. I have been able to bend into the most advance poses one day, and the next day not even be able to do a forward fold. I respect that process and appreciate where my body is at each day.
I also greatly appreciate understanding my mind and how to quiet it without expectation. It's helped me through some of my darkest moments!
What’s your favourite part of yoga? (the stretching, the spirituality of it, etc.)
My favourite part of the practice is certainly the spiritual component, but it's all relevant and important to a well rounded practice. Every piece, the Asana, the pranayama, the language etc all makes the practice what it is. ❤️
What has been the most difficult thing during the time of your practice?
The most difficult part of my practice was learning to surrender. Acknowledging what works for one may not work for me. Dropping the comparison.
Show off! Tell us a little bit about your self:
So my name is Maggie, I am a fertility coach and what that means is that I help women understand their body, reclaim their feminine power and overcome obstacles during family planning/building. I run my business completely online, including my fertility yoga series! I am an aspiring green thumb, book lover, sunshine obsessed half hippie half modern day mogul.
IG: femme.fertility
— Links to my favourites —
To help you get started and shop around. Finding the perfect yoga mat can take time. Vibing with the perfect Mala beads takes time. Choosing your outfits takes practice.
There are SO MANY different' brands and stores that offer yoga attire. It doesn’t even have to be leggings and a tank! I can be your temple pants or even your PJ’s