.Namaste & Beauty. : .All Things Yoga.

Yoga- is it for you?

I hear a good amount of people say that they cannot do yoga because they are simply "not flexible enough"! Along with a million other reasons, people are often intimidated by the yoga practice. Many allow their minds to become so consumed with worry about how they will look in class, that they talk themselves out of even trying one. Yoga is not about how bendy you are, how strong you are or how good you look in a pair of yoga pants, it's about connecting with yourself and others by showing up to your mat and being your best possible self. Yoga is much more than a physical workout (even though it is ABSOLUTELY the best workout I have ever gotten); it is a meditative and spiritual practice as well. Yoga is forgiving, gracious, noncompetitive, and nonjudgmental. Yoga is for everyone.

Still unsure? Still think you are way too stiff to take a yoga class? Before I began yoga, I couldn't even touch my toes. I wasn't a gymnast or a cheerleader, I have never been able to do the splits, and I certainly did not consider myself flexible. Here's the thing though, you don't practice yoga because your flexible, you become flexible as a result of practicing yoga. As with many good things in life, flexibility for most, takes time and practice. One of the best feelings is knowing that just a couple of years ago I couldn't even touch my toes, but now I can plus so much more.

Sometimes finding the right yoga studio can be a challenge, so I urge you to try a few before deeming it not right for you. Studios, along with teachers, have their unique styles; some you may love and some you may not dig as much. One of the many reasons I fell in love with yoga is because you are able to truly make it your own practice. No matter what level you are at, there is a pose for you. Each pose has many modifications, tailored to fit a beginner student and an advanced student, and everyone else in between. Even if that means "child's pose "for you- that is your pose and you can own that pose for as long as your body needs it!

Where Can I Practice Yoga?

I am still exploring the yoga world, but I wanted to list a few experiences I have had and would recommend. First, Yogaglo is an online yoga studio that is filmed at their studio in Santa Monica. If you wanted to take a physical class there, all classes are free (pretty awesome right)! The online site is $18 per month for unlimited classes- this means that you can practice yoga anywhere, anytime and as many times as you want. This is perfect for those on the "go" or for anyone who is simply wanting to develop a home practice.

Many Lululemon's offer free community yoga classes as well (just check your local store to see what days they offer it).

I have found my home at Inner Evolution Yoga. Not only do they have very flexible class times and styles, but the owners are some of the best people you will ever meet. The instructors are friendly and it is easy to feel apart of the yoga community that has been built there over the years. They offer a 30 day trial for only $30 to new students, and sometimes have groupon/living social deals as well. If you are interested in checking out the current Groupon deal click here.

The last thing I wanted to mention is an annual festival that I have attended for the past three years in a row called Wanderlust. I have only had the opportunity to attend the festival in Lake Tahoe, but they have grown so much since their journey first began and now have festival locations in: Hawaii, Australia, Vermont, Canada, & Colorado. If you ever have the chance to go, I can't say enough positive things about it. It is still, to this day, my favorite vacation! There are pool parties, concerts, vendors, yoga classes, amazing yoga teachers, and so much more to see and do there. It is an amazing and unforgettable experience, for both those who are new to yoga and those who have been yogi's for a while!

Yoga Fashion

This post wouldn't be complete without going over some of the best yoga fashion out there! Brands that I currently own yoga clothing from and love are: Lululemon, Lucy, k.deer haute yoga wear, Athleta, Kira Grace, & Spiritual Gangster. A couple other brands I have admired from afar and just haven't had the chance to pick something up yet is Tiny Devotions & Teeki.