by Tara Stiles | May 21, 2013 | Blog, Strala Training
Hi Friends, You are a space maker. Every inhale creates more room and space inside. Every exhale moves you right into that new space. The deeper you breathe the more space opens up. Everyone likes the feeling of having space around. Space to move. Space to breathe. Space to live. Meditation can happen through many forms. Seated meditation, moving meditation (yoga), gardening, walking, running, and one of my favorite meditative practices, knitting! I discovered knitting several years ago when I was writing Slim Calm Sexy Yoga and was out on a writing break walk around the neighborhood. I walked by… by Tara Stiles | May 14, 2013 | Blog
Question I'm really stiff for my morning yoga. Am I doing something wrong? Should I wait for my body to "wake up" a little before practicing? Practicing yoga, learning to breathe, and de-stressing my body and mind has done some amazing things for me. I don't want to be making a mistake that will cost me later on by working and stretching muscles that need a little more time adjusting in the morning. Is it normal to feel a lot tighter in the mornings? Answer You're not alone here! Your muscles just spent the night not moving much,… by Tara Stiles | May 10, 2013 | Blog
Question I have so much anxiety and I'm always feeling depressed. I really want to fight it out. I want to be happy again. Can you help? Are there some yoga methods I can use here? Answer The short answer is, breathe and feel. Anxiety makes your body and mind a home for tension and stress. This can become a closed loop. When you're anxious, you become tense and immovable, in your body and in your mind. You want to fight out that anxiety and tension. But fighting only gets us stuck in more tension, more stress,… 
by Tara Stiles | May 9, 2013 | Blog
Question How do I find the right balance between hurting myself, and going so easy that nothing happens? After 2 years of very little exercise, I've started doing yoga again to strengthen myself physically and mentally. I love the philosophy that Strala has of not stressing yourself or pushing yourself into poses, instead easing into them, while feeling and exploring your body. However, because I'm a beginner, different poses and stretches cause pain. It isn't unbearable and to a point where I'm injuring myself, but it does hinder me from focusing on my breathing and meditation. The other thing… by Tara Stiles | May 4, 2013 | Blog
Question I enjoyed Tara`s "Make Space" article, thank you. I need your help! I've had many periods in my life that are full of tension, and all my space was solid. rigid, and full. Running and going to the gym has helped me in the past to make space, to be airy, fresh, and to lose that weight. I know it wasn't just by burning kilos, but by opening up all the solid tension in my body, mind, and spirit. But I did it too much. I exaggerated the effort. I got aggressive, and started injuring myself. I…