Gather 'round, gather 'round! We would like to welcome you to CPY's new blog, the CorePower Yoga Connection—a yoga blog for living an extraordinary life!

We created this blog to give you more bite-sized ways to discover your inner yogi through cool pose breakdowns, easy meditation tips, practical nutrition advice and special posts from some very special CPY guests and friends along the way. It's also a great way to connect with other CorePower Yoga friends, yogis, and instructors on things like your favorite hip opener or health food, or offer up your thoughts on a great 5-minute meditation for the fall.

Now, because it's all about you (isn't it always?), we'd love for you to be involved in our new community! So, here's what you can do:

• If you’re not familiar with blogs, this is how it works. The post on the top of the page is the most recent blog post, with entries posted in reverse-chronological order as you scroll down. We’ve been blogging since August, so make sure to play around and check out our blog archives. There’s some great stuff we don’t want you to miss!

• Sign up for our RSS reader on the right (look now!), and make sure to check back often for a few new posts per week from our instructors, yogis, friends and guests.

• Comment! We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, ideas or concerns in the "Comments" section of each blog post, so fire away!

• Got questions about a particular pose, a good food for a particular ailment, or what to meditate on? Send them to us, and we'll do our best to turn your Q's into relevant A's and get you on your merry yogi way.

We hope you enjoy our new blog. As always, we'd love to hear from you, so be in touch. Because it’s all about helping you live an extraordinary life.

Namaste!
~The CorePower Yoga Team

 

Recently, we gave you the 4-1-1 on Meditation. This week, we asked CorePower Yoga instructor, Valerie D'Ambrosio, of Organic Twist  to help guide you through a simple meditation focusing on breath work.

Step 1: Get Comfy!

Come to a comfortable seated position. You can sit cross-legged (add a block, pillow or towel under you if your feel tightness in you hip flexors), or sit on your shins (again, sitting on a block or towel if it bothers your ankles).

Step 2: Settle In

Place your hands on your thighs with your palms open in a receiving gesture. Close your eyes, let your jaw be soft, lips soft to touch and tongue resting behind your teeth.

Step 3: Scan and Breathe

Begin to breath through your nose and do a little internal scan checking in on your physical body for about 30 seconds. Then begin to watch your breath in your body and where your breath falls, gets stuck or deepens for another minute.

Step 4: Focus Your Breath

Exhale all of the breath out and when your lungs are empty, begin to inhale to a slow count of five, hold the breath at the top for five counts, exhale for a count of five, and then hold the breath at the end of your exhale again for a count of five. Continue this same breath work to a count of six (inhale for six, hold for six, exhale for six, hold for six). On the next round, try for a count of seven. After you’ve worked up to a count of seven, go back to five, this time making it a continuous breath without holding. Continue that five count continual cycle for 5-7 minutes. When thoughts begin to pull you away, as they will, watch your breath go in and watch your breath go out. Just this alone you can begin to calm your nervous system and help bring a sense of serenity over your entire being, then can extend into your day.

Step 5: Go Easy On Yourself

It’s important to note that your mind may pull you in different directions, be it negative chatter or distraction of a “to do” list. It's ok! Just remember to focus on the breath going in and going out. Just like a muscle, you are training your breath and it doesn’t just change overnight. Time, practice and patience is what will help you with your meditation practice. So sit, enjoy and breathe!