zen girl in maui
Natasha teaches Hatha Yoga in Edmonton, Canada, and runs Yoga & Spa Retreats in Maui, Hawaii.
mauispirityogaretreats.com
Ask me any yoga related questions by clicking "ask me anything" on the bar at the bottom of your browser. I try to answer everyone's questions in as much detail as possible.
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33 posts tagged health
On average, each human takes 60 million breaths in their lifetime.
Breathe slowly and make the best of your 60 million.
I have been practicing Bikram yoga for 7 years, 3 or 4 times a week, and in the past 6 months have become interested in exploring other types of yoga. I am fit, male, in my 50s, and curious about exploring this path further. Thanks.
balancepath
Hi balancepath,
Thank you for your question, and for patiently waiting for my response. I hope my advice can help you on your yoga journey.
First, You are a very dedicated student. I imagine you notice all kinds of changes in your body and mind over the last 7 years of consistent practice.
It is natural to want to evolve and try new forms of yoga. You are like a growing tree whose branches are shifting their direction to get closer to the sun.
I am a Hatha Yoga teacher, and will tell you more about the Hatha style since I am most familiar with it.
Hatha Yoga poses are the basis for all yoga styles. It is the oldest form, and is often referred to as “Classical Hatha Yoga”. Most styles borrow from these poses and change them slightly to suit their style.
For example, Vinyasa’s “upward facing dog” is their version of Hatha’s “cobra” pose. Since cobra is quite intense and takes more time to get into, they changed it in a way that is suitable for a faster-paced flow sequence.
So taking a Hatha class with an instructor who teaches classic style is like getting to the roots of yoga (in a historical sense). There is emphasis on meditation, and using the breath as a tool to get further into the mind and body. It is slower-paced, but is quite intense mentally and physically.
However, if the mind is caught up in trying to look fit, quick, and sweaty, this class will be the most challenging for you. Hatha students must let go of the ego to truly advance in their practice. For some, it’s hard to slow down and focus.
I must say that a man in your 50’s will benefit greatly from this style. I’ve taught men in their 70’s (very fit men) who are very grateful for the amount of introspection and quiet time they enjoy each class. You have time to get into the pose properly and focus your attention. You have more time to release and create space in both mind and body, and you become more flexible in many ways.
It is such a pleasure to teach men at your age and beyond, and I wish you nothing but the best as you continue on your path.
If you are ever interested in a class with me, I offer week long Hatha Yoga retreats in Maui. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the style and gives you a good sense of what to look for in your teacher at home.
Thank you, and Namaste,
Natasha
7 Ways Slow Yoga Promotes Healthy Weight Management
Students frequently ask if and how slow, meditative Hatha yoga helps manage weight.
The short answer is YES, and here’s how:
1. Extended holding of specific yoga poses that gently massage the internal organs promotes improved metabolism, such as ‘spinal lift’.
2. Through relaxation and stress management, it prevents emotional overeating.
3. Learning how to be ‘present’ will show itself in the way you eat - you will chew more slowly, digest your food more easily, and you will be less likely to binge eat if you are fully aware of the way you are eating.
4. It is a longterm approach to weight loss, a way of finding balance and acceptance in your body through mastering the mind and breath.
5. It is a gentle and less dramatic way to lose weight. The effects will take longer to set in, but your ability to maintain your new healthy weight will be stable because of deeply transformed habits and ways of thinking about your body.
6. Constant, slow, deep breathing makes you less hungry. Try an experiment: Next time you have an unhealthy craving, try taking 3 deep, full belly breaths and see if you still desire it.
7. Increasing awareness of our bodies as a result of holding poses longer will encourage you to take better care of it. You truly have to take a look within before you will learn to not take your body for granted.
Slow yoga is an amazing addition to any healthy weight loss program. Consider adding a class to your routine today!
Love & Light,
Natasha
Hey Natasha,
You seem to know so much about yoga and health in general. I've always found in intriguing, and maybe something I would want to pursue in further education. I was wondering if you studied any of this in college or have taken classes on any of these topics, and what you thought of them. Have you always wanted to be a yoga instructor or do something similar?
fuckyeah-oned
Hi kdixon93,
Thank you for patiently waiting for my response.
You are very sweet, but I really try my best to know nothing at all! ;-)
But information is practical, and I would love to pass some onto you to answer your question.
I find that books are often a starting point for people. They are a beautiful way to access age old teachings in the comfort of your living room. Make a date with yourself to seek out and visit your local holistic books store (In Vancouver, we have Banyan Books!), borrow books from friends or yoga teachers, or hit up amazon and google “yoga”. Start somewhere, and read what interests you. Create your own path of learning!
Taking university/college level classes are a great way to broaden your awareness. Try a sociology class to understand the ways in which humans socially construct the world around them, or try philosophy to learn a new perspective on things. Physics is also another fascinating course to take, especially quantum theory. Start off with one class and go from there, and try not to limit yourself to one specialty.
Another great thing to do is learn through experience. Following your breathing for 10 days will teach you alot more than going to a bunch of spiritual workshops. Learn through your meditation, your yoga practice, and your meditations on life.
Teaching others is also a great way to learn more about something. Taking a yoga instructor or meditation instruction course is a great way to learn about either subject - you really get to know something if you teach it!
Whatever you path you choose, honor the fact that your path to learning will be different from everyone else’s. The right way is always the way you are going in the present moment.
~ Natasha
Reblog if you’re a teen who loves YOGA.
Hellooooo, I just wanted to start out by saying I adore your blog! To be frank, my doctor recently told me that I should to start doing yoga and meditation to help with my panic attacks, which have increased quite a lot since my first year of college is in the near future (3 months!). I was wondering, is it better to take a yoga class with an actual instructor but with a bunch of people, or to try doing it on your own at home? I'm extremely inflexible, and I'm nervous about embarrassing myself in front of a class, but I don't know if I can learn how to do all the poses by myself.
:/ Any opinion?
lordbyronsbloomers-deactivated2
Hello lordbyronsbloomers,
I myself have struggled with panic attacks in the past, and I can relate to how they make you feel. I am happy you went to your doctor - hopefully they prescribed something to help you during your attacks. I am happy your doc recommended yoga. I can attest to the helpfulness and effectiveness of yoga and relaxation/meditation in treating the symptoms of anxiety and stress related disorders that are very common amongst college students and the everyday person. There is a lot of hope for you, and learning how to relax and breathe will be very helpful for you in combatting your panic attacks. It will also benefit you greatly during your college career.
I think in your situation it would be best to try a combination of a home practice and yoga classes. While home practice is fabulous, you can learn so much from being in a class and meeting various teachers and other people like yourself doing yoga in a public setting.
What you can do at home is very simple, and does not require anything fancy or a lot of knowledge about yoga. Please read this article I wrote that explains how to do relaxation by yourself. Really focus on the breathing here, because it will save you if you feel a panic attack coming on. With practice I know you can do it.
In the past (I’m sure you’ve ‘liked’ some of these) I’ve also posted my recommendations for books and videos that might help you at home. I would check these out too.
As for the classes. Find yourself a good Yin yoga class and go from there. It is usually a very slow and meditative class - perfect for beginners and those trying to relax. If the teacher is good, you will be very comfortable here for your first few classes, and then you can branch out. Try and find one that is taught by candlelight, as this is extra relaxing. If you are nervous, simply talk to the teacher beforehand and they will settle any anxiousness you have.
Above all, take a big breath and enjoy this amazing time you have ahead of you. Don’t look at it like a big ball of stress - it is just another part of your life that will have ups and downs but you have a good handle on yourself and therefore you will make it through.
I leave you with 3 good tips for stress management that I swear by:
1. Get your sleep.
2. Set a routine, and stick with it as much as possible - but don’t obsess.
3. Learn how to say ‘no’ to anything that crosses your stress threshold and is unnecessary and avoidable. Eg. filling your schedule with too many get togethers because you feel guilty about not seeing someone, or taking on extra projects.
Take care of yourself love!
~ Natasha
