We’ve now been through four out of five of my safety tips that I suggest people consider when starting yoga instruction. While there are, of course, many other concepts and considerations to bring with you into your first yoga class, my final recommendation to you for this series is to give yourself room to grow. 

Ah, Christmas…a time of cheer, goodwill to all and joy to the world. Wait – what planet am I visiting from?!

If we listen to all the panic around us, we’ll hear that retail is in a decline in this economic downturn. Well, it probably is but I wouldn’t have thought so when I was at the mall yesterday.

So now that you have initiated your journey into yoga, things probably seem to be going great. You’re finally beginning to understand what the teacher is saying, you’re feeling more comfortable in your body, those after-class aches and pains are starting to lessen, and you’re thinking that you’re ready to take even more classes.

Be careful. Too much of anything – even a great thing like yoga – can tax the body and leave you feeling depleted if you are not bringing total awareness into your practice.

In Steps One and Two of my series on safety tips for people who plan to take up yoga, I suggested that you check with your doctor first, and then assess your personal fitness level.

Once you have consulted with your doctor and assessed your fitness, you will be ready to select which level of yoga class will best suit you, and you can begin your adventure into the exciting world of yoga.

Recently, I read an article on the benefits of yoga for caregivers and it really resonated with me. I’ve been working from home for the last four years while caring for my aging mother, who lives with my husband and me.

Although my 91-year-old mother still, as she puts it, “has all my marbles,” she’s becoming less active and more dependent on me as time passes. And my ‘Mumsie,’ always known for her sweet nature, is also becoming increasingly defiant, especially toward me.

This is the second part of my series on safety tips that people should consider when starting yoga instruction. In Step One, I talked about the importance of consulting with your doctor to ensure that you have no health issues that could affect your yoga practice.

Having consulted with your health care professional, you are now ready to move on to Step Two, which is making an honest assessment of your own fitness level.

Living and working in a busy city, I find that my body absorbs both the excitement and stresses of city life at the end of the day. So many nights I replaced rest for work and paid for it the next morning when my body recoiled as I urged it to stretch and twist during a few simple asanas.

Recently, while visiting with a fellow yoga buddy, I tried to relax by sinking into a comfy chair, but I let out a few winces of pain. Where did that come from?

My mother is now in her 80’s. She’s looking good for her age, which is surprising, as she really didn’t start taking care of herself until she was in her late 50’s.

Back then, she had many issues with arthritis that affected her shoulders and hands. Finding that the usual physiotherapy was not helping her manage her pain, she decided to seek help from alternative medicine. She learned some specific exercises from a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and also supported herself with an assortment of herbs.

The other day, a new student attended one of my more advanced level classes. Just as we were getting started, I found out from her that she was brand new to yoga and this was her first class.

As a teacher, this is always a difficult predicament. On the one hand, I want to be welcoming to someone who is new to the world of yoga and encourage their commitment.

On my most recent trip to Vancouver, Canada, something changed.

Something changed in me and something changed with me.

As we drove to North Vancouver from the airport, it was dusk and it was raining. I was born and raised in Vancouver, but I have lived abroad for many years. Vancouver has always been a beautiful city to me, and yet this time something felt different.