Start your self-care routine today. You deserve it.
We all know that you can't serve from an empty vessel. There is no merit in continually pouring from an empty cup and supporting those around you, without first supporting yourself. Self-care can have a lot of definitions - The basics of self-care can simply start with doing an activity, or something you want to do for yourself. It will help you physically, and support your mental and emotional wellbeing, all at the same time.
Self Care starts with YOU.
Self-love is the act of recognizing your physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional needs, and addressing them. Without regular self-care, you can find yourself more vulnerable to stress, anxiety, and depression. And you deserve so much more, than all-too-frequent unrewarding, uninspired moments in life.
Self-care, self-love - however you see it, starts with doing - starting routines, changing habits, and making choices for yourself. It is so necessary nowadays to find a way to promote rest and relaxation in our daily lives and gain a consistent self-care routine.
But how do we start on this journey to self-care -- what are some of the things we can explore? Well, we may be bias, but at VIVAYA, our ultimate goal is to provide wellness seekers with that opportunity to switch off from the daily stresses and struggles, and connect with a safe, welcoming community and trusted teachers to guide you to personal enlightenment and some seriously needed Zen.
A common activity that many make to gain that much needed self-care and ME time, is yoga and meditation.
The great thing about Yoga and Meditation?
- Improves Your Physical Health
- Yoga Gives You Time to Yourself
- It Can Be Done in Any Length of Time
- Better Productivity
- Boosted Self-esteem
- There is no one-size-fits-all yoga method
Are there any online yoga classes? If so, where?
We are fortunate to live in a time where there is a wealth of information and knowledge available to us. There is so much variety accessible to us online, making it easier than ever to take that first step in your yoga and meditation journey.
Is it better to do yoga in a class or online for a beginner? Is it better to do yoga at home or go to class?
Honestly, it comes down to what suits you and your lifestyle. However, in these times and COVID restrictions, many studios are now unable to remain open, and it has increasingly become the norm to find ways to interact and manage your wellness at home.
So, learning yoga online, it is!
A regular yoga practice is one of the most empowering gifts you can give yourself -- wherever you take up your practice -- even from the comfort of your own home.
Yoga is for everyone and everybody. Yoga as a practice does not discriminate. It elevates. Yoga works with and for all levels of fitness and flexibility, all levels of experience, all body types, all ages. It teaches us acceptance, love, compassion, and peace -- whilst building strength and flexibility within your body.
Derived from a Sanskrit word meaning "union", yoga was cultivated to clarify the mind and create harmony between mind, body and spirit. It establishes a perfect connection for your self-care journey.
How effective is an online yoga class?
Whether practicing in-studio or at home, yoga transcends limitations and has as much to offer to you, as you are open to receiving. Yoga is always modifiable and adjustable so you can both effectively and safely move through a practice that meets your needs, desires and abilities.
The beauty of yoga is that you can practice anywhere, and you can carry the philosophy of yoga through to other parts of your life and self.
How do online yoga classes work?
Obviously different online yoga videos can vary, but from the very beginning of a VIVAYA yoga class, you're introduced to your fellow tribe of yogis. For 30-60minutes, you're closely guided throughout by our incredible, intuitive teachers who will take advantage of the real-time experience to be able to ensure you're working at a pace comfortable to you, you're learning, evolving and that you're getting everything you need from the practice.
An important factor of online yoga classes is the feeling of safely and securely practicing yoga as you feel comfortable. You want to find virtual interaction, smiles, waves of acknowledgment and pleasant conversation. Our teachers make a point of opening every class early, so that they and the students have a chance to socialize before the day's practice starts. You are welcomed into the VIVAYA community -- a group of impassioned students coming together with a shared purpose. It doesn't stop at the end of the session, either; we also allow time after class for more socializing and check-in with each other for post-class review.
Often, all you need is a good Wi-Fi connection and laptop or device to view your online yoga class. You don't always have to have your camera on, but it can be really beneficial for your practice, to have a teacher guiding your form and motivating you live, throughout. It doesn't take much preparation to get started, and you will receive so much.
What are the basic steps to do yoga for a beginner?
First of all, bring a little Om to your home and create yourself an at-home yoga space.
Creating a dedicated yoga space is key to establishing a successful home practice. It doesn't have to be a big project - the idea is to design a calming space that entices you to your mat -- and eliminates the need to rearrange the furniture.
You could also begin familiarizing yourself with yoga by exploring different styles of practice and learning some movements and poses.
Another rewarding habit to include in your self-care journey -- Meditation.
Meditation fits lovingly and seamlessly as part of a routine with yoga, but it also works incredibly well on its own. One key similarity between the two, is that meditation takes practice, just like yoga, but what you receive back, from the time you give it -- can be life-changing.
How Does Meditation Work?
Think of meditation for the mind as what exercise does for the body: a method to maintain and balance your health. Many people believe they can't turn off their minds and meditate, and it does takes practice, but again, like yoga, it's accessible for everyone. You can train, practice and condition your mind to reap the full benefits that consistent meditation has to offer.
Meditation brings a combination of breathing exercises and guided visualizations that allow you to clear your mind. This reduces your worries and stress and can deliver much needed moments of calm and clarity. By meditating, you are pushing out the negative energy and negative thoughts in your mind to leave room for more positive, harmonious thoughts.
Getting started with mediation
Try to schedule meditation on a daily basis, even if it's for 10mins, to help form the habit. Meditation takes a lot of practice, so you want to do it often, preferably once or even more than once a day. If you struggle with motivation, try scheduling in set meditation times for when you know you can switch off with no distractions.
Start with just a few minutes a day -- Don't worry about having to meditate for an hour right from the beginning. The goal is to turn it into a daily routine -- once it is a habit, it's a lot easier to commit long-term and will help motivate you to continue with it.
What is the best online meditation course?
There are different types of meditation, each of which provides a different collection of wonderful benefits for the soul. It's worth taking some time to explore these to help you decide the right path for you.
Different types of meditation
● Basic/Breathing Meditation -- This practice involves deep breathing exercises. This is often done sitting in a quiet and comfortable position. We start with deep breaths in and out, focusing on inhaling and exhaling. Focusing on our breath, the feeling of our chest rising and lowering. When you focus only on your breathing, it helps to clear those worrying thoughts from your mind.
● Mindful Meditation -- The goal is to become totally aware of everything happening around you in the current moment. Switch off from distractions and focus on everything around you - sights, smells, sounds. Feel your surroundings, understand what is happening right at this moment, and lose yourself in it, with immersed focus.
● Guided Visualization -- This can be done through guided meditation, listening to a recording, experiencing guided imagery or you can try and create visualization on your own. Listening to guided meditations is a great way for beginners to start meditation, a lot of the work is done for you as far as what to picture and how to go through the steps.
Meditation and yoga are not only good for our overall health and wellness but can also play a crucial part of your self-care routine. They give you time to yourself, help reduce stress or anxiety from life, and can become a valuable part of your daily self-care routine. Joining an online class and learning from experienced, impassioned practitioners is the perfect way to start.
How much would you pay for online yoga or meditation class?
The price you pay for an online class often comes down to -- what value do you want to gain from your practice?
If you can, try to take advantage of any free trials so you get the chance to try different styles and get to know the class format and meet some of the community.
Where can I join online yoga and meditation classes?
VIVAYA offers 14 days totally free before you join, with no obligation, so you can take your time to really become familiar with the platform and teachers, so you have the peace of mind when you are ready to make your membership official.
Choose from over 50 different classes, workshops and 1:1 coach sessions at your leisure, and experience a whole new sanctuary of self-care, at your fingertips.
Meditation and yoga are considered to be a practice, it isn't about "achieving" - it is about connecting to where you are at in this moment and working with what is present for you. Can you notice thoughts without reacting to them? Can you notice pain without telling a story about it? Can you sit with the discomfort of uncomfortable feelings without reacting with mean thoughts about yourself?
Ultimately, these tools for self-love and self-care can provide you with the opportunity to find an inner peace, feel empowered and remain present. This, of course, takes practice, and at VIVAYA all the meditation and yoga guides are committed to create a safe space to practice just that: