Dear Yoga Student,
I want to talk to you about the power of practice.
Your body can change so fast, so dramatically, that people won’t recognize you (I’m serious), but all that change has to start with you.
With your practice.
I teach yoga, and new students (especially guys) will often walk in expecting to snooze through class, but ninety minutes, 35 postures, and 3 OMs later, that same person walks away a
weak, wobbly mess!
I love that!
The feeling you get after a killer yoga class is why everyone gets hooked, but that’s just the first step. Momentum is a powerful force and when you start to practice daily, you’ll cultivate the
unstoppable momentum of a Mac truck rolling down steep hill… watch out!
Many yoga teachers (myself included), will tell you to take it easy, be safe, and take your time. This is good advice that should be followed, but I’d also recommend that you practice hard.
But understand me here. What I mean is this: you need to show up to class, listen to your teacher, and do as she says. Read books, try postures at home, wake up early, roll out your mat, and practice, practice, practice!
That’s practicing hard!
HEAL FAST
For the past 6 years, some part of my body is usually a little sore from yoga, but there is a big difference between soreness and pain. Soreness is good, pain is bad.
To overcome your general yoga soreness, keep practicing, but practice more gently. Don’t stretch so deeply and modify postures as needed.
Taking extended time off from practice is never beneficial.
I’m not suggesting you “push through the pain” because over-zealous students I know have blown out their knees, pulled hamstrings, and slipped disks in their back. This is serious pain that could keep you off your yoga mat for a REALLY long time, so practice hard, but don’t be stupid.
Soreness, OK. Pain bad.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
In an ideal world, we’d get all the healing nutrients we need from the foods we eat, but our food is no longer the nutrient-dense fuel source it once was (depleted soils, genetic engineering, etc.).
Also, pollution, stressful lifestyles, and our constant exposure to toxins reduce our bodies’ nutrient stores. For these reasons, I think it’s wise to take organic, whole food supplements on a daily basis.
There are many great supplements available, but there are 4 that I’ve found essential for yoga students.
MSM: this natural source of sulfur fights inflammations and promotes flexibility and strength of muscles and connective tissues.
GREENS: chlorophyll-dense plant foods boost energy and detoxify the blood.
VIT C: boosts the immune system and enhances the effects of MSM.
TRACE MINERALS: balance the electrolytes in the body and provide building blocks for tissues.
I created YOGABODY because it made it easy for me to take all these supplements together in one capsule.
Thanks for reading!
Keep practicing,
Lucas
YOGABODY Naturals LLC
p.s. An email from a YOGABODY student:
“Two weeks ago, I tried Lucas method, and I was really surprised. When I am stretching in the morning, flexibility is remaining almost up to evening.” (Stefan, Australia)
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