Lotus Yog

Here are basic tips a yogi should keep in mind to take care of their skin!

Stay hydrated.

Our body works better when it’s properly hydrated. Ensuring you are properly hydrated before and during your session, as well as topping up after, is essential.

Why not drink during practice? Look out for this in our upcoming posts!

Sweat and Cleanse

Cleansing after your practice is a good idea. Yoga encourages your body to release toxins which when mixed with sweat, creates a residue on the face that’s a playground for bacteria and breakouts. Do your skin a favor and cleanse with cool water to reduce redness and help your body cool down.

Clean your mat too!

Yoga mats are a magnet for bacteria because people sweat on them and they are not cleaned regularly. If you have your own mat, wipe it down regularly with disinfectant. Bring your own mat if you’re going to a studio or a gym class because we can’t be sure if when they were last cleaned. An alternative would be to invest in a yoga towel to place over the mat itself. You could just toss it into the wash after your practice.

Keep your practice alive and breathe!

Yoga brings so many layers of benefits. Its emphasis on breathing makes it a fantastic stress-buster for the skin. Tension and anxiety cause your body to release high levels of stress hormone, cortisol, which can increase the skin’s oil production. By keeping stress levels in check, you’re helping skin stay it’s healthiest best.

Reverse Warrior or Viparita Virabhadrasana is a standing yoga pose that energizes the whole body. It stretches the legs, groins, hips, and the sides of the torso and waist. It improves flexibility in the spine, inner thighs, ankles, and chest. It also builds strength in the thighs, shoulders, and arms. A deep stretch to the torso, reverse warrior increases blood flow throughout the body, which reduces fatigue and helps calm the mind.

Have you tried Vrikshasana, the Tree pose, with your eyes closed? 👀

Yoga & Acupuncture

Acupuncture and yoga facilitate the smooth flow of Qi/Prana in a different way but both are based on Eastern philosophy with similar ideas. Acupuncture is used to remove energy blockages and re-direct the flow of Qi / Chi within the body to encourage healing and good health. Qi can be translated to ‘life force’ and is known as prana in yoga.

In traditional chinese medicine, they work with energetic pathways in the body known as Meridians. When the energetic flow within the meridians becomes blocked, the result can show up as a variety of symptoms such as pain, emotional ups and downs, fatigue, overeating etc. Acupuncturists use needles at specific Meridian points to remove these blockages and free the flow of Qi to bring the body back into balance.

Ayurveda also has a similar concept of a energy framework in the body known as nadis. Pranayama ( yogic breathing ) is practiced to help remove energy blocks and various yoga poses are believed to activate our nadis and direct our life energy for optimal wellbeing.

One might consider integrating both practices ( with the guidance of teachers & specialists ) for the greatest benefit. :)

Practicing Pranayama ( Yogic Breathing ) in the Morning | Mornings are a special time The air is clean and sweet, and the birds are singing; all of nature is priming for a new day. Your nervous system is built to respond to the qualities of morning in the same way—ready for renewal. Even if you live in the city, you can still feel that there is something pure about this time of day. The more you tune into the energy of morning, the more it can help you set the tone for a better day. Start your morning on the right foot by developing a routine that includes some breathing exercises, or pranayama, to help enliven your spirit.

There are many different types of pranayama exercises, all with various benefits—some calm, some stimulating, and much more. Depending on how you feel in the morning will determine which exercise to use. Common ones include Anulum Vilom ( Alternate Nostril Breathing ) and Kapalabhati ( Pumping ).

In general, it’s recommended to perform 5-10 minutes of pranamaya in the morning and evening. If you are also practicing meditation, it’s best to perform pranayama first. It relaxes the nervous system for a comfortable transition into meditation.

“As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all beings.” - The 14th Dalai Lama

We are back in action from Monday! All necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that our sessions remain safe & enjoyable. WhatsApp us to book your session! We’re excited! Are you?