Yoga Boosts Confidence and a Positive Sense of Self
Yoga at our home in CO
Yoga boosts confidence by helping you become more self-aware. Being aware of the things you cannot change, accepting who you are (just the way you are), and letting go of the things that no longer serve you is very empowering. A regular yoga practice helps you learn what you are capable of and what your limitations are so you can go out into the world with the confidence.
Body awareness: Body awareness yoga is an invaluable practice for anyone seeking to deepen their connection with their body and enhance their overall well-being. Emphasizing mindfulness and the conscious movement of the body through various poses and breathing techniques, body awareness helps practitioners tune into their physical sensations, understand their body’s needs, and recognize its limits. As we become attuned to our body, we can identify, and release areas of tension related to negative self-beliefs (for instance, slouched shoulders or clenched jaw). This process of releasing unnecessary tension while engaging muscles in an intentional way can be profoundly liberating, enhancing self-assuredness and a deep sense of presence. This heightened awareness is integral to confidence, as it allows us to be fully engaged in the moment, relieved from self-doubt and insecurity, and it can expand to other areas of our lives, allowing us to be more conscious of our strengths and abilities.
Mindfulness and positive body image: By inviting us to cultivate equanimity and to observe our thoughts and emotions without judgement, yoga helps us build self-acceptance and self-love. As we progress in our practice, acknowledging our obstacles and overcoming challenges, we develop a deeper appreciation for our body’s capabilities, break free from self-limiting beliefs and improve our body image and self-esteem on and off the mat.
Resilience and trust in the process: Yoga teaches resilience by challenging us to expand our comfort zone: sometimes we all fall out of poses, but each time we rise again, our resilience grows. This ability to face physical and mental challenges and to adapt and bounce back is an invaluable life skill, especially to perfectionists, as it proves us that setbacks are not failures, but rather opportunities for growth that train us to handle whatever comes our way with grace and trust in the future.
Join Inner Connections Yoga and Wellness to build your confidence and positive sense of Self in classes, workshops, and yoga retreats in 2025!
Winter Solstice and Yoga
Cultures around the world celebrate the winter solstice, and Indian culture is no different. In traditional Vedic astrology, the winter solstice is called Uttarayana, representing the first day of the sun’s northward journey through the sky when the light is returning. This is an auspicious time because it represents the advent of hope for the future and the universal light that shines within all living beings.
In our Winter Solstice Practice, we focus on this light. The light of the sun is deeply connected to atman or the light of the soul that lies within each of us. When we honor these different moments of the sun’s passage through the sky, we also reconnect to the light within ourselves.
Since the winter solstice is the shortest day with the shortest amount of sunlight, we harness our own inner light instead and begin to nurture our qualities of kindness, compassion, positivity, gratitude, authenticity, creativity, a sense of purpose, empathy, generosity, optimism, and the ability to inspire and uplift others—essentially reflecting a positive and radiant energy that shines from within us.
Because the winter solstice also brings us the longest night, it is often connected to the dark night of the soul, a spiritual concept that invites us to celebrate the depths of who we are, and honor that we all have parts of us that the light has yet to touch. Only out of darkness can light begin to shine.
The dark night of the soul invites us to celebrate the seeds of potential that live within us all. Some believe that when your soul came to this earth, it came equipped with everything it needed to achieve what it needed to achieve. These seeds of awareness are within you, and only by acknowledging them, nourishing them, and giving them time to grow in the darkness, will you be able to bring them into the light.
The night of the Winter Solstice can be a time for you to travel through the soil of your own soul and see what needs attention and nurturing. This is your time to go within, quiet your mind through meditation, and travel deep to the place where your body meets your soul.
By bringing these concepts into our yoga practice, we can deepen into the spiritual truth of yoga and harmonize these energies of light and dark within us.
To prepare for the Winter Solstice, try some of these awareness practices:
Reflect, Reset, and Realign
As the Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year (and the shortest day!), the beginning of winter, and the return of light, our yoga and meditation practices provide an opportunity to pause, reflect on the past year, and to let go of things that no longer serve us or that we no longer need, to realign with our guiding principles, and to express gratitude.
Try a short yoga practice or meditation to bring you to stillness.
Write down three things you are grateful for each day for 30 days. After, continue the practice by thinking of three things you are grateful for either before you go to bed or when you awake—or both!
Think of something that no longer serves you, perhaps an old thought or belief, and practice the American mantra of Let Go. Inhale and LET into you life what you want (I am calm and relaxed as I speak in front of a group) and exhale GO-release what no longer serves you (anxiety, fear of judgment).
Align with Seasonal Energy
By practicing grounding practices like our Yoga Therapeutics I and II, breathwork, and meditation, we align with the introspective and calming energy of the season, which encourages us to become still and connect to ourselves on a deeper level.
Boost Energy and Warmth
Dynamic yoga poses increase circulation and generate warmth, countering the sluggishness and cold of winter, while invigorating both body and mind. Try our Mindful Yoga or our All-Levels classes for an energy boost!
Support Emotional Well-being
The darker days of winter can impact mood. Yoga, with its focus on breath and movement, helps reduce stress, enhance present-moment awareness, and uplift the spirit.
Celebrate Connection to Nature
Yoga during the Solstice honors nature’s cycles, helping us reconnect with the earth’s rhythms and fostering gratitude for seasonal changes. Walk the beach, read with your spine against a tree trunk, observe the migration of birds, create a sanctuary space for yourself.
Rest, reflect, unplug, nourish, and pamper!
Namaste.
Finding the Right Yoga Mat
“What’s the best yoga mat?” It is a question instructors and studio owners hear all the time. Our answer is always, “It depends.” More specifically, it depends on how you practice, what you practice, and where you practice. It is also important to consider what is important to you in cushiness, grippiness, portability, affordability, sustainability, and other qualities. Will you use your mats in a sweaty class, therapeutically, or mostly for meditation?
The mats listed are the ones John and I recognize and have used over the years that we can recommend.
Best Yoga Mat You Will Never Need to Replace: Manduka PRO
$138 at REI/$138 at Backcountry
Material: Made from certified OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 PVC
Thickness: 6mm
Weight: 7.5 pounds (Heavy!)
Dimensions: 71 x 26 inches
There are many reasons why so many yoga teachers consider the Manduka Pro their go-to mat. The mat’s “dense cushioning,” and the no-slip dot pattern on the bottom ensures the mat does not wrinkle or slide, no matter how quickly you transition between poses. Many yoga practitioners assert that the mat supports “any type of practice” and that it adequately supports “all bodies” —which includes those with achy knees!
In terms of upkeep, the Pro does not absorb sweat, which makes it easy to clean; however, it can be a slippery experience if you sweat a lot. You can use a towel if you are taking hot yoga.
The breaking-in process for Manduka mats may take a minute but it is worth the patience required. Read the fine print on how to flatten those furled edges and tame any initial slickness.
Bonus: Manduka guarantees their mats will last a lifetime and you have many options of colors for your mat.
Best Grip Yoga Mat: Jade Harmony Mat
$92 at REI/$92 at Amazon
Material: Natural rubber
Thickness: 4.7mm
Weight: five pounds
Dimensions: 68 x 24 inches
Compared to other brands of yoga mats, Jade makes a textured surface in its Harmony mat that is extremely helpful when you tend to sweat a lot or need more grip on your mat. It delivers exactly what many of us want in a mat, which is support, grip, and cushion. Jade’s Harmony mat is considered well-constructed for being a thinner mat.
It is sturdy, appropriate for all types of yoga classes, and comes in lovely, muted colors. The textured surface, however, holds onto fuzzies, fur, and things that may blow about, and attracts lint from towels when you wipe it down. When it is dirty, take it in the shower with you or hose it down outside but it is best not to use this mat outdoors. As a side note, Jade is committed to planting a tree for each mat sold. SOLD!
Best Yoga Mat for Beginners: Gaiam Premium 5mm
$24 at Amazon/$20 at Walmart
Material: Latex-free PVC
Thickness: 5mm
Weight: 2.6 pounds (very light!)
Dimensions: 68 x 24 inches
Usually someone new to yoga seeks something that is not a splurge and helps them feel comfortable. The Premium 5mm yoga mat from longtime mat-maker Gaiam is a favorite among those new to yoga. It is attractive, comfortable, offers good support and a lifetime guarantee. It is not as cushioned or durable as other mats, yet the Premium 5mm offers an affordable mat for beginners.
Note when purchasing: There are a dizzying number of Gaiam mats labeled “Premium” with varying characteristics, colors, and designs. A smart purchase is anything with a 5mm thickness.
Best Thick Yoga Mat: Jade Yoga Fusion
$150 at REI/$150 at Amazon (expensive!)
Material: Natural rubber
Thickness: 8mm
Weight: 7.2 pounds (HEAVY!)
Dimensions: 24 x 68 inches
Getting close to 8mm in thickness may create a sensation of instability in the joints; however, people who have the Fusion mat feel that it is luxurious in that it offers premium cush that is sturdy, comfortable, and supportive.
For those of us with sore knees or uncomfortable wrists who crave more cushioning, this mat may be the one for you—it offers the comfort, support, and grip of a necessary tool for yoga practice. Like the other heavy mats, it can be a chore to haul around with you between classes and home and it may not fit into those pretty and protective yoga carriers.
Like other mats mentioned here, the textured surface picks up dust and dirt, so cleaning it regularly is necessary.
Yoga Mats to Avoid
Do not race out to buy a yoga mat priced $19 to $30 to save a few dollars. These tend to be exceptionally slippery for the student, lack cushioning, slide on the floor, and wear out quickly where you place your hands and feet. At best, most provide a little padding between you and the floor. Without exception, they cause more distraction than they are worth.
How to Choose a Yoga Mat
Shop around.
Explore Your Options. Consider what features are important to you, including mat thickness, slickness, grippiness, rollability, portability, color, and design. This mat is your sacred space to practice your yoga, and it will be with you for a long time. Knowing what matters to you most will be helpful when you do your research and make a purchase. Also, if you see a mat in class that intrigues you, approach its owner after class and ask her about it. Ask questions that are important to you and about features you want in a mat as well as how she likes the mat and her criteria when she purchased it. You will gain a lot of wisdom from those who have already purchased and practiced on their mat.
Consider Your Needs. Is it heavy for you to carry from place to place? Do have time to clean it regularly or are you better with a mat that you can quickly wipe down? Do you prefer sweaty classes or relaxing classes? Do you need a mat that is thicker to give you more support for aches and pains? What is most important to you in a mat? Does color influence your mood? What is the best length of a mat for your height?
Breathe. Take your time. Research and explore. You will find the right mat for yourself.
Namaste
Holiday Schedule
It all begins with an idea.
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
JOIN US AT:
WINTER SOLSTICE YOGA
Saturday, December 21st, 2024
North Pawleys Island, beach access 2nd and Atlantic
9:00 am-10:30 am
$10 or FREE with a Period Project donation
celebrate the change of season with a yoga practice, meditation, and the sound of singing bowls
About the Period Project:
Established to facilitate better access to menstrual health products to individuals in need; advocate for equal and tax-free access to these essential products; and raise awareness of period poverty; supply period items and items for incontinence.
A period pack is a small bag containing a minimum of 15 products for an individual to use during the menstrual cycle. The packs serve menstruators who are housed, unhoused or under-housed, as well as schools, shelters, essentials pantries and community relief organizations on an as-needed basis.
Please bring donations of the following for youth and adults: tampons, pads, panty liners, small and medium incontinence pull-ups and bedliners. These will be distributed through Holly Cross Episcopal Church in Pawleys Island.
NEW YEAR’S DAY CELEBRATION
CHANGES TO SCHEDULE FOR HOLIDAYS
There will be no yoga classes on the following days:
Wednesday, December 25th
Friday, December 27th.
Wednesday, January 1st
Enjoy your holiday time with friends and family!