Self-Care in Yoga
A Note on Self-Care in Yoga
Practicing Mindfully and Safely in Virtual Yoga Classes
It brings me joy to share with you the journey of wellness. Before we begin practicing together, I want to make a few things clear, especially since we are practicing virtually and I am not physically with you to offer corrections or modifications.
If you have ever attended my yoga classes in person, you know that I begin every class by asking if anyone has an injury, pain, sensitivity, or any other special accommodation, such as a recent surgery. I ask this so that I know where you are right now and can better serve you, guiding you with more awareness of your specific needs.
In the case of virtual yoga classes, such as those I offer through Yoga Selvática, you must be responsible for providing this extra measure of caution for yourself. Please, before beginning any of the yoga lesson videos, check in with yourself and bring awareness to the reality of any recent injuries or recoveries you may be facing. Throughout your practice, be extremely mindful of the information your body is giving you, specifically feelings of sensitivity and pain.
You know your own body infinitely better than I do, and to honor yourself, you must trust its messages. This includes both those that urge you to move deeper into a posture and those that ask you to come back. If you feel pain during any posture, STOP! Retreat to Child’s Pose (if this is a posture of rest/ease for you), or return to the last posture of our practice that felt good and stay there.
Yoga is About Balance, Not Perfection
Yoga is not about doing every posture “perfectly” or pushing yourself into pain. It is about the unification of the body and mind, living toward higher consciousness.
If you are one of the many who struggle with perfectionism, yoga is a great way for you to deconstruct that struggle and begin learning to be more patient and gracious with yourself. As your yoga teacher, I will always do my best to protect you in class through cues and offering modifications, but since we are physically apart, I cannot know all the details of how you are doing in your body before any given practice.
With this in mind, please listen to and honor yourself by taking care not to overdo anything. Be an active listener to your own body throughout our yoga practices, and you won’t go wrong.
Embrace the Process of Yoga and Self-Care
Remember, yoga is a process. If you don’t feel you can quite achieve a certain position today, based on how you feel in your physical body, find a position that feels good to you and take a few breaths there before moving on to what’s next.
If we commit to taking care of ourselves in our practices together, we ensure a patient, present, and painless yoga experience that will hopefully leave you feeling better than when you first arrived on your mat.
Thank you for caring for yourself and for trusting me to guide you. If you have any questions or comments regarding this topic, please reach out through the website’s contact form.
be well,
XO Lex
