Solar Energy and a Daily Dose of Yoga!
by Dana Rae Paré
Solar energy, radiant light from the sun is powerful. The sun gives off more energy in one second than people have used since the beginning of time.
With lighter mornings and brighter evenings, Summer is the perfect time to harness the energy of the sun with a daily dose of Yoga! Traditionally, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is practiced 6-days a week – beginning with Sun-Salutations. There are 12 more weeks of summer, which gives you a total of 72 days to absorb the sun’s Summer energy and begin a daily practice.
Benefits of Daily Yoga Practice
Daily practice brings a multitude of health benefits.
- A cleansing process begins at the surface of your skin through the sweat of your pores (I’m talking about internal heat here – not heaters!).
- Ujjayi breath, forward bends, back-bending, twists and inversions give your internal organs a daily wash!
- As your body gets cleaner it naturally gets leaner and lighter.
- Muscles become more defined, flexibility is enhanced, and you begin to move through the world with more balance & grace.
Perhaps the most important life-changing benefit to a daily Ashtanga practice (all classes at IY are Ashtanga-based by the way), is the “daily dose” or rather daily discipline for your mind. For many busy people sitting still and meditating can be challenging & frustrating. Ashtanga in its purest form is a moving and breathing meditation – a meditation on impermanence. Daily cleansing of the mind improves focus and concentration.
Harness the solar energy of the sun inside and out with daily practice.
How to begin a daily yoga practice:
- Begin your Daily Practice with a Bang on 4th of July!
- Did you know our unlimited monthly membership card is now only $120 per month? (less than $4/day)
- Practice Daily on Vacation with Self-Practice Mysore cards
- Practice lighter & brighter with classes from 6:00 am – 6:45 pm weekdays. (see entire schedule)
Juice This!
Here’s one that will go great with the barbequed veggie burgers on the 4th! Light, frothy and packed with protein – and it’s pink (again!) – close enough to red, white and blue. Strawberries are packed with antioxidants and polyphenols. Plus, strawberries promote healthy hair, skin, & increased energy.
Here’s my Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie recipe – Juice, Drink and Glow!
1-2 green apples
1 x large stalk of celery
handful of chopped parsley
1/4-1/2 red beet
1 x cup of strawberries
1 x scoop of whey protein
For Vitamix add 1/2 cup water & 3 ice cubes