Upward Hapa Yoga + Wellness

🧘‍♀️😮‍💨

Are you under the impression that once you leave your mat or yoga space, that your practice has ended?

For years, I was too.

Until I heard from another teacher, your true practice begins the moment you step off of your mat.

Those words hit me like a ton of bricks. What is the purpose of doing yoga if not to benefit your physical self?

Here are a few things I’ve learned since becoming aware of that statement…

+To be present and observant

Instead of being reactionary, I’ve learned to take a step back and process before responding. This has helped in my professional relationships and also my personal ones

+To be kind

This brings me back to the Yamas. Non-violence towards yourself and others (I’ll go deeper in to this later)

+To be of service

Helping others without expectation or recognition has to be one of the best feelings in the world

+To Breathe

Tapping in to the most powerful tool that we posses, our breath, can help us through the toughest of times

And soooo much more. So tell me, besides improving your physical health through yoga poses and practicing on your mat, what do you want to take control of? How do you want to live your yoga when you step in to the world?? ☀️✨

Are you under the impression that once you leave your mat or yoga space, that your practice has ended?

For years, I was too.

Until I heard from another teacher, your true practice begins the moment you step off of your mat.

Those words hit me like a ton of bricks. What is the purpose of doing yoga if not to benefit your physical self?

Here are a few things I’ve learned since becoming aware of that statement…

+To be present and observant

Instead of being reactionary, I’ve learned to take a step back and process before responding. This has helped in my professional relationships and also my personal ones

+To be kind

This brings me back to the Yamas. Non-violence towards yourself and others (I’ll go deeper in to this later)

+To be of service

Helping others without expectation or recognition has to be one of the best feelings in the world

+To Breathe

Tapping in to the most powerful tool that we posses, our breath, can help us through the toughest of times

And soooo much more. So tell me, besides improving your physical health through yoga poses and practicing on your mat, what do you want to take control of? How do you want to live your yoga when you step in to the world?? ☀️✨

As busy humans, it’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life day in and day out.

Try one or a few of these mindfulness exercises to reconnect. If you have a hard time quieting the thoughts, be kind with yourself. All we can do it try our best and I promise you, that is more than good enough ✨

Let me know which one(s) you tried and how it made you feel!

Happy Aloha Friday, Friends- may you all have wonderful weekends ☀️🌸

If you were to start practicing yoga today, what would that look like?

Too many of us have the belief that we need to already posses certain qualities to start..

Be nimble, flexible, open minded, focused, dedicated, tons of free time, etc.

But, what if I were to tell you, you already posses everything you need to start practicing yoga TODAY?

✨6 reasons to start yoga✨

1. Understand your ‘why’.

It’s hard to take a first step towards finding deep health as a whole person before you even know why you are doing it. So ask yourself, what motivates you to be healthy?

2. Improve circulation, lower blood pressure, reduce stress.

Research done by PubMed Central shows that persons who practice yoga regularly have low cortisol levels. Studies have also shown that when practicing for 3+ months, it lowers perceived stress and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause inflammation.

3. Establish mind to body connection.

Yoga unites the mind with the body by linking our thoughts, feelings, and attitude to the way our body reacts. Ask yourself , when you are stressed out, how does your body react? When you are mindful or happy, how does your body react?

4. Strengthen your physical, mental and emotional well-being.

They are all interconnected. When we do yoga, we are simultaneously working on multiple aspects of ourselves. Don’t be fooled by physical asana, you are getting a mental workout as well.

5. Breathe better. Sleep better. Feel better.

Need I say more?!? Tell me, how well do YOU sleep?

6. Become present in everything that you do.

Be exactly where your two feet are. Present in every moment. Multitasking is just switching back and forth from one task to another never fully investing yourself in either.

So tell me, why do YOU want to start yoga? ✨

Nothing beats a glass of ice cold coffee on a HOT Miami summer day (and a dip in the pool)

Tell me below what you do to stay cool in this heat!!

Aloha Friends!

I am excited to announce that I will be teaching live, online classes beginning next week.

2 class every Tuesday/Thursday at 2 + 3:30 pm EST

Please follow the link in my bio to see more information on how each class will be structured (one will be a beginners series the other, a power vinyasa series). You can then register for class and once you do, you will be emailed the link.

DO let me know if those times do not work for you but you’re interested in taking a class, I will be offering more times and days in the near future.

If you are unable to make the live class but need the yogas stat, the recorded version will be available 24 hours after the live.

I am so so sooo ready to reconnect with you and build an online community since we all can’t be together. Please feel free to DM me with any questions!

Hope to see you soon ☺️💜

It’s Thursday!!! Which means it’s practically the weekend

I’m going golfing on Saturday, taking a yoga class on Sunday and teaching on Monday. I’m looking forward to all of the different range of motions My body is going to experience🏌️‍♀️🧘‍♀️

How are you going to get your body moving over the 3 day weekend? Let me know 👇

There once was a time I thought I had to be flexible, strong and focused to do yoga.

Luckily that thought process shifted and I started anyway

YOGA MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE (not the other way around) and helps you get to where you need to go 💜

Upavistha Konasana - wide angle seated forward fold is one of my favorite poses to sit in for a few reasons-

It allows me to focus on regulating my breath; by using the blocks, instead of choosing to fold deeply, I sit with ease in order to connect my breath to my body. This helps to relax the muscles in my legs and back.

It helps open my hips gently; my hips are often tight and tense in the morning. Before running I like to take at least 10 breaths here to loosen them up so I feel more fluid and flexible.

It calms my mind; I’m sure most of you if not all can relate to being stressed out. Your brain moves 1,000 miles a minute because of all the things you have on your plate. Sitting here in the pose forces you to take a moment to yourself to just CHILL. When you quiet your mind for even just a minute or two, maybe it can help bring you a little bit of clarity.

So, I invite you to try this on! If you don’t have blocks, grab a stack of books, pillows or a blanket and take a seat for at least 2 minutes- no yoga mat required.

1️⃣Come to a comfortable seat, extend your legs out wide to a natural distance in your body (remember, we don’t want to force it)

2️⃣Try on bending your knees to relieve any unwanted pressure near your groin or behind your knees

3️⃣Flex your toes back towards your body to lengthen through the back line of your legs

4️⃣Place your prop right in front of you and fold forward to a degree that feels good in your body. Rest your arms or forehead on your prop

5️⃣Take at least 10 breaths to yourself here, eyes open or closed

I hope you enjoy, let me know how it felt in your body! ☺️✨