Question

Dear Mike, I need some more guidance!

First of all, I got Tara’s “This is Yoga” DVD’s which are great. Also, I have been reading and watching your articles and videos on MindBodyGreen, which help a lot with the how to’s and explanations.

However, I think I’m getting saturated with information, which is leading to lack of action.

Right now I’m practicing yoga twice each week with the one-hour routines. So here are my questions.

1-My main goal is to get physically, mentally, and spiritually fit.
Physically I enjoy mountain biking, jogging, and some light anaerobic workouts with the TRX, as well as pushups, pull-ups, dips, and yoga. The question is, should I simplify workouts or eliminate some activities and practice more yoga?

2-If so, should I practice poses and hold them for a while (how long?), or follow routines? Which poses and which routines are the most beneficial for overall wellbeing?

There are so many options and limited time. I would like your input in order to be more productive with the yoga experience.

I apologize if these questions seem silly to you, but down here I doubt I can find someone to help me out.

The few places that teach yoga still practice the “Guru” style with hard-to-pronounce names. I really enjoy the down-to-earth practical approach you and Tara are giving to yoga.

Respectfully,

James

Answer

Hi James,

As usual,

a) You have good instincts

b) You hear your instincts

c) So follow them!

You think you’re getting saturated with info, so . . .

Let go of “student mode” where you’re trying to gather everyone’s feedback and opinions. Just do your yoga.

You know what you want , so experiment! Rather than ask me the right mix of activities, try things.

Nothing is permanent. Do just yoga one week, and see what that’s like. Skip yoga altogether for a few days, just do usual strength training and biking, and see how you feel.

You know the best answers aren’t going to come from me. They’re going to come from you: trying things, listening, and responding based on what you find on your own two feet.

I can give you my experience. Yoga is great cross-training for pretty much everything, life included. I’ve also found that yoga isn’t something that requires a rest day.  It’s more like breathing and eating good food.  You’ll feel best if you do this every day.

But that’s just my experience, to be added to your pile. Make your own pile!

Remember, you’re your own best laboratory. Keep at it.

There are no final answers, and the best answers are the ones you create for your self each day.

-Mike

About Strala Yoga Training

Strala combines the movement and healing wisdom of tai chi with the form vocabularies of yoga, tai chi, qigong, and Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine, to help people release stress, move easily through challenge, and live radiantly inspiring lives.

It begins with a mindset, that says our best way to get where we’re going is to feel good along the way. It also works miracles for whole health, helping us to find ease in our bodies and minds, and create the right conditions both for healing and optimal performance.

In our Strala Training Courses, you learn to shape your destiny on every level that counts, from your psychology, chemistry and neurology, to your chromosomes and even gene expression. The unique set of skills you develop – for connecting with yourself and others, unblocking your energy, healing what needs healing and accomplishing challenge with ease – uncovers your ability to create the life you want, and be an inspiring leader to the people around you.

Who’s What’s and When’s of Strala Yoga Training