Yoga Poses to Boost Creativity - Inspirit Yoga Studio Orlando

5 Poses to Boost Creativity

It happens to the best of us: We carve out plenty of time in our schedules. We make sure we’re well fed and well rested. We tidy up our surroundings so that there’s nothing else to do but create. Yet, when we sit down to actually make it happen, our minds are as blank as the white screen we sit staring at. As someone who writes for a living, it happens to me far more than I’d like to admit. Although I’m a writer, this cycle of stifled creativity shows up in other places in my life, too. When I’m uninspired in the kitchen, I end up eating the same meals over and over again. I stare blankly at the clothes in my closet as I try to get ready to go somewhere thinking, How can someone have so many clothes and yet nothing to wear?! Even my yoga practice suffers when my creative mind hasn’t been nurtured. While sometimes a few cups of coffee and a long walk in the sunshine can get things moving, nothing is more effective at boosting my creativity than a good yoga session. The right poses in the right combination almost always clear the cobwebs in my mind to make way for new ideas and motivate me to create great things–whether it’s a blog post or a fabulous dish for a potluck.

Here are 5 poses that help be get the creative juices flowing:

Pigeon Pose. It’s common knowledge among yoga students that we store emotions in our hips, so hip-openers like Pigeon Pose can help people release a lot of negative emotions. But the hips and pelvis are also a center for creativity. This part of the body is aligned with the second chakra, which represents creative energy (as well as sexual energy and reproduction). Honestly, I don’t know that much about chakras, but I know from experience that taking Pigeon Pose on both sides and forward bending with my forehead pressing into the ground for a few minutes is the best medicine for blocked creativity.

Seated Garudasana (Eagle Pose). This is another hip-opener that I love to do whenever I feel creatively blocked. As an added bonus, it’s also a shoulder stretch. Since I hold a lot of tension in my neck and shoulders, it’s a good way for me to soften both tension and any apprehension that might be holding me back from self-expression.

Headstand. There’s something amazingly grounding about Headstand. It offers a fresh perspective, which is crucial to creating. And it can’t hurt that this pose brings a little extra oxygen to the brain.

Child’s Pose. You can’t force creativity. Sometimes all you need to do is relax, take a break, and let the wisdom bubble up naturally. Child’s Pose helps me do this when I feel like I’ve run out of steam.

Seated Meditation. Spending a few minutes in seated meditation always reminds me that I’m a part of something so much bigger than myself. Connecting with this idea, puts me in the right frame of mind to hone my craft and put my creations out into the world.

Let's get creative together!
http://inspirityogastudio.com/
7575 Kingspointe Pkwy Suite 21
Orlando, Florida
(407) 203-6866

Prenatal yoga: What you need to know

Prenatal yoga: What you need to know

If you're pregnant and looking for ways to relax or stay fit, you may be considering prenatal yoga. Good for you! But did you know that prenatal yoga may also help you prepare for labor and promote your baby's health? Before you start prenatal yoga, understand the range of possible benefits, as well as what a typical class entails and important safety tips.

What are the benefits of prenatal yoga?

Much like other types of childbirth-preparation classes, prenatal yoga is a multifaceted approach to exercise that encourages stretching, mental centering and focused breathing. Research suggests that prenatal yoga is safe and can have many benefits for pregnant women and their babies.

For example, studies have suggested that prenatal yoga can:

Improve sleep
Reduce stress and anxiety
Increase the strength, flexibility and endurance of muscles needed for childbirth
Decrease lower back pain, nausea, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches and shortness of breath
Decrease the risk of preterm labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension and intrauterine growth restriction — a condition that slows a baby's growth
Prenatal yoga can also help you meet and bond with other pregnant women and prepare for the stress of being a new parent.

To protect your health and your baby's health during prenatal yoga, follow basic safety guidelines. For example:

Talk to your health care provider. Before you begin a prenatal yoga program, make sure you have your health care provider's OK. You may not be able to do prenatal yoga if you are at increased risk of preterm labor or have certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or back problems.
Set realistic goals. For most pregnant women, at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity is recommended on most, if not all, days of the week. However, even shorter or less frequent workouts can help you stay in shape and prepare for labor.
Pace yourself. If you can't speak normally while you're doing prenatal yoga, you're probably pushing yourself too hard.
Stay cool and hydrated. Practice prenatal yoga in a well-ventilated room to avoid overheating. Drink plenty of fluids during prenatal yoga to keep yourself hydrated.
Avoid certain postures. When doing poses, bend from your hips — not your back — to maintain normal spine curvature. Avoid lying on your belly or back, doing deep forward or backward bends, or doing twisting poses that put pressure on your abdomen. You can modify twisting poses so that you only move your upper back, shoulders and rib cage. Avoid inverted poses, which involve extending your legs above your heart or head, unless you're an experienced yoga practitioner. As your pregnancy progresses, use props during postures to accommodate changes in your center of gravity. If you wonder whether a pose is safe, ask your instructor for guidance.
Don't overdo it. As you do prenatal yoga, pay attention to your body and how you feel. Start slow and avoid positions that are beyond your level of experience or comfort. Stretch only as far as you would have before pregnancy.

Our prenatal classes take place every Saturday at 11:30 am.
http://inspirityogastudio.com/
7575 Kingspointe Pkwy Suite 21
Orlando, Florida
(407) 203-6866

What is Qi Gong?

Q
i Gong is a gentle form of exercise that helps improve health and overall well-being. Qi Gong (pronounced CHEE-GONG) can be traced back 4,000 years to ancient China. "Qi" is simply the Chinese word for energy, and "Gong" means skill that is cultivated through steady practice. So, put together, "Qi Gong" means "cultivating the body's vital energy," and then using it to heal and strengthen every system throughout the body.

There are three main elements to Qi Gong exercise:

Slow, fluid movements that stretch and strengthen
Deep breathing
A meditative state of mind
The exercises found in Qi Gong involve gentle, rhythmic movements, mirroring movements found in nature, such as the lapping of water or blowing of wind. Water, for instance, flows effortlessly along the path of least resistance, and Qi Gong teaches us to move our bodies in a similar fluid motion, minimizing the risk of injury, while maintaining balance and focus. Sometimes the exercises are named after animals, such as bird, bear, monkey, tiger, and deer.

The Mind-Body Connection

Qi Gong is often referred to as a mind-body exercise because it explores the connection between the mind, body, and spirit. Sometimes Qi Gong is classified as complementary or alternative medicine. Other forms of mind-body therapy or alternative medicine include yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, massage, and traditional Chinese medicine. In fact, tai chi, which is already quite popular in America, is actually a somewhat more complicated form of Qi Gong!

Understanding Qi

In Chinese medicine, freely flowing Qi is essential to good health. It is believed that Qi circulates through a system of pathways called meridians, which can be thought of as an energy highway throughout the body. Health is an ongoing process of maintaining the balance and harmony of these meridians, and practicing Qi Gong is one way to keep Qi flowing freely.

Specific Benefits of Qi Gong

Qi Gong provides a core group of benefits to improve health and well-being. Its gentle movements stretch and strengthen muscles, improve balance and flexibility, and reduce inflammation in joints. This movement helps to improve the circulation of blood and oxygen throughout the body, which is thought to improve the immune system and help to remove toxins.

Qi Gong's deep breathing exercises help to reduce stress, anxiety, and tension. The breath techniques emphasize slow breathing from the diaphragm with a relaxed posture and straight spine. They help to calm and center and can be an effective aid for reducing anxiety and aiding sleep.

The meditative state of mind achieved by practicing Qi Gong provides powerful mental and emotional benefits, often after only a few minutes of practice. Qi Gong requires concentration, requiring focus and clear thinking. This discipline is reported to help foster creativity, improved mood, and to enhance cognitive capability.

Come see our daily schedule to enroll in the available class.
http://inspirityogastudio.com/
7575 Kingspointe Pkwy Suite 21
Orlando, Florida
(407) 203-6866

Come find your Zen at Inspirit Studio Yoga

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga (Sanskrit kundalini-yoga), also known as laya yoga, is a school of yoga. Based on a 1935 treatise by Sivananda Saraswati, kundalini yoga was influenced by the tantra and shakta schools of Hinduism.

Kundalini yoga derives its name through a focus on awakening kundalini energy through regular practice of meditation, pranayama, chanting mantra and yoga asana.

Called by practitioners "the yoga of awareness", it aims "to cultivate the creative spiritual potential of a human to uphold values, speak truth, and focus on the compassion and consciousness needed to serve and heal others."

"Kundalini Yoga" is based on the treatise Kundalini Yoga by Sivananda Saraswati, published in 1935. Swami Sivananda introduced "Kundalini yoga" as a part of Laya yoga. Together with other currents of Hindu revivalism and Neo-Hinduism, Kundalini Yoga became popular in 1960s to 1980s western counterculture.

In 1968 Kundalini Yoga was introduced to the US by Yogi Bhajan who founded the "Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization" (3HO) as a teaching organization. While Yoga practice and philosophy is generally considered a part of Hindu culture, Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan is founded on the principles of Sikh Dharma.

Although it adheres to the three pillars of Patanjali's traditional yoga system: discipline, self-awareness and self-dedication (Patanjali Yoga Sutras, II:1), Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan does not condone extremes of asceticism or renunciation. Practitioners are encouraged to marry, establish businesses, and be fully engaged in society.

Rather than worshiping God, Yogi Bhajan's teachings encourage students to train their mind to experience God. Yogi Bhajan sometimes referred to the Sikh lifestyle as Raja Yoga, the yoga of living detached, yet fully engaged in the world.

In respect of the rigor of his teachings, Yogi Bhajan found kinship with other 20th century Sikh sadhu saints, such as Sant Baba Attar Singh, Sant Baba Nand Singh, and Bhai Randhir Singh. In the outreach of his teachings, Yogi Bhajan's contributions are unparalleled in modern times.

In addition to inspiring the founding numerous yoga studios and centers of practice across the US. Kundalini Yoga continues to grow in influence and popularity largely in the Americas, Europe, South Africa, Togo, Australia, and East Asia.

Come visit us at:
http://inspirityogastudio.com/
7575 Kingspointe Pkwy Suite 21
Orlando, Florida
(407) 203-6866

What is Vinyasa Yoga?

What is Vinyasa Yoga?

Vinyasa is a Sanskrit term often employed in relation to certain styles of yoga. The term vinyasa may be broken down into its Sanskritic roots to assist in decoding its meaning. Nyasa denotes "to place" and vi denotes "in a special way." Like many Sanskrit words, vinyasa is a term that has many meanings.

There are four basic definitions of vinyasa:
1) the linking of body movement with breath;
2) a specific sequence of breath-synchronized movements used to transition between sustained postures;
3) setting an intention for one's personal yoga practice and taking the necessary steps toward reaching that goal; and
4) a type of yoga class.

Some people define vinyasa as:

Sequential movement that interlinks postures to form a continuous flow. It creates a movement meditation that reveals all forms as being impermanent and for this reason are not held on to.

It denotes a flowing, dynamic form of yoga, connected to breath or pranayama in which yoga and mudra transitions are embodied as linkages within and between asana.

Vinyasa is also employed as a noun to describe the sequence of poses that are performed between Adho Mukha Svanasanas or Downward Facing Dog as part of a Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutation sequence. Though this is more correctly termed half-vinyasa as full-vinyasa returns to complete standing asana or positions.

Srivasta Ramaswami, author of The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga and a direct disciple of the legendary Yoga teacher Krishnamacharya, brings forth the essence of Vinyasa in asana practice in the following way,

This guru believed that the correct vinyasa method is essential in order to receive the full benefits from yoga practice. The following quote, which is translated from Yoga Makaranda, perfectly captures this sentiment.

"From time immemorial the Vedic syllables…are chanted with the correct (high, low, and level) notes. Likewise, sruti (pitch) and laya (rhythm) govern Indian classical music. Classical Sanskrit poetry follows strict rules of chandas (meter), yati (caesura), and prasa (assemblage). Further, in mantra worship, nyasas (usually the assignment of different parts of the body to various deities, with mantras and gestures)—such as Kala nyasa, Matruka nyasa, Tatwa nyasa—are integral parts. Likewise yogasana (yogic poses), pranayama (yogic breathing exercises), and mudras (seals, locks, gestures) have been practiced with vinyasas from time immemorial....However, these days, in many places, many great souls who teach yoga do so without the vinyasas. They merely stretch or contract the limbs and proclaim that they are practicing yoga…"

Ramaswami further goes on to add, "Just as music without proper pitch (sruti) and rhythm (laya) will not give happiness, yogasana practice without the observance of vinyasas will not give health. That being the case what can I say about the long life, strength and other benefits?"

So consider trying Yoga Today at Inspirit – Orlando Yoga and Fitness Studio

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Select a Quality Yoga Mat

SELECTING A GOOD YOGA MAT

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Fifteen years ago, there was only one basic type of yoga mat — made of PVC and noted for its stickiness — and your only choice was whether to buy purple or blue. Now, there’s a yoga mat to suit every priority and preference. (Read more at:http://inspirityogastudio.com/selecting-a-good-yoga-mat/)

Beyond a color and pattern that make your heart go pitter-patter, your yoga mat needs to keep you stable in your poses; and it needs to be storable and portable, yet comfy and cushy. You may also want your mat to be environmentally friendly. These aspects of your mat’s personality are all affected by how the mat is made: how thick it is, what it’s made of, and its surface texture. (Read more at:http://inspirityogastudio.com/selecting-a-good-yoga-mat/)

Use this guide to help you find a yoga mat you can be blissfully happy with — one that suits your practice, priorities, lifestyle, values and budget. No matter what the stores tell you, that’s the best yoga mat for you! (Read more at:http://inspirityogastudio.com/selecting-a-good-yoga-mat/)

Visit us at: www.inpirityogastudio.com | 407.203.6866 |  7575 Kingspointe Parkway Suite# 21 Orlando, Fl 32819