by Kirstie Lovelace

Yoga originated many years ago during the Vedic days of India. So very different from our daily routine, but now yoga is still one of the best things ever, but connecting now in people’s lives when necessary. Today, yoga is a comfort for many people; It offers a quick fix from the day. Some people incorporate yoga in their daily routine for core strength and flexibility; where as others practice yoga to come to a space where they can unwind and learn to connect mind to body.

The mind to body connection that allows us to focus, place intention and be present is amazing. When we step on to our mats, we should invite ourselves to be in a space where we can let go. We can be vulnerable as well as strong; we can be silly and play yet stay bound, genuine and a little determined. Is this something you are seeking too?

Yoga constantly teaches me that each day is different. One day, I can go further, the next day, maybe not so much. How do you feel when you walk out of your favorite teacher’s yoga class? Do you feel amazing Think about why you feel this way. Was it because you were able to achieve that pose you’ve been trying to reach for months? Was it because your teacher gave you an assists that allowed you to open up a little more and reach something else? Or was it because you were able to disconnect from your day and connect into your body? Maybe even learn some honesty about yourself and your body and not check your phone for 65 minutes?

By honoring ourselves, we learn be gentle with our bodies and give ourselves the space we deserve.

We learn to practice patience through knowing that we will not be in the same yoga posture all of class, even if it’s not our favorite pose, it’s going to change. After a regular practice, you become a little more sincere and recognize your consciousness through the body in a way. You learn a little self-love and let it be what it needs to be.

There’s a place then where (hopefully) we’ve taken the lessons we’ve gained in yoga off the mat and transferred them into daily life. Learning to be gentle and sincere with yourself, maybe now you can be gentle and sincere with someone else. That’s when you truly learn if you’re a yogi. When someone flat out pisses you off and instead of reacting through anger or annoyance, you respond with kindness and compassion. Responding because you’ve taught yourself to have some tolerance and know that not everything is permanent.

We also learn through yoga and meditation some of the same things that carry over to the relationship that we have with ourselves, our most important relationship in my opinion. The words “you can’t love someone else until you love yourself” are perfectly true.

Self-love is what we need more of.

I have found that you have the most effective impact on your own life. Especially when you have unconditional love for something and you love it no matter what. Do you have that for yourself? It should be unequivocal for us all the time. It’s not selfish to do great things for yourself, such as yoga, even better, restorative yoga. Take the hour and a half to go to lie comfortably, and nurture your body. Get in the steam room after! Isn’t that half the reason you’re paying for you membership? Cleanse the body, mind and lungs while you’re there.

Start a daily meditation practice; it might change your life!

There are a lot of amazing teachers out there that have guided meditations that are perfect for everyone. I really enjoy Karen Anderson's audio course, “An introduction to mindfulness meditation” - if you need a great place to start!

Yoga and meditation can help us focus more on the goodness of life, the daily practices that keep you kind, the love we have for each other, and the gratitude that is key to finding joy (sometimes where we least expect it and when things don’t seem so great). Is there a part of yoga or meditation that you have questions about? Is something holding you back from trying them? If you have any thoughts or insights that you'd like to share, please feel free to leave a comment. Namaste!

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Kirstie Lovelace is a yoga instructor certified in Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative and Meditation. She moved to the Vail Valley in 2009 from Austin, Texas to enjoy the mountains. Kirstie loves the nature of healing and connecting with ourselves on a true level, and she thinks the most important relationship is the one we have with the person in the mirror. When she’s not in the studio or working, Kirstie is enjoying the outdoors with her husband, pup and friends.