“You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day—unless you’re too busy; then you should sit for an hour.”
–Old Zen adage
I’ve had a crazy couple of weeks. I’m not complaining, because they have been filled with lots of wonderful summer activities, family visits, and good, fulfilling work. Summer is a busy time for many people, and the problem is that when we get busy, our regular yoga and meditation practices get pushed to the side, and that is precisely when we need it most.
We need to step away from the notion that we don’t have enough time and just carve out at least 10 to 30 minutes for a little breath meditation and yoga. You may not think this is enough to get the benefits, but your body and your mind will thank you for giving it a little respite from the incessant chatter and stress of your day. Just spending a few minutes sitting still, closing your eyes, and breathing deeply can be highly therapeutic. I can testify that the time I spend each morning meditating helps me stay focused, alert, and ready to take on the day with a joyful spirit.
One of the best places I know to get the instruction you need when you don’t have time to make it to the yoga studio is the web site My Yoga Online. The cool thing about My Yoga Online is that you just dial in the amount of time you have (under 15 minutes, 15–30 minutes, 31–60 minutes, or over 60) and shazam! a whole list of online yoga video classes come up in the search results.
I just did a search for yoga videos that are under 15 minutes in length and found an 8-minute guided meditation focused on contentment, a quick 10-minute yoga class video that focuses on stretching and releasing your lower back and limbs, an 11-minute session great for people who sit at school or work all day, and an 8-minute routine to open the heart and the shoulders, just to name a few.
My Yoga Online has hundreds of videos covering different yoga styles from beginner to advanced, Pilates and dance, meditation, workplace wellness, and workshops that cover topics like anatomy, breathing, and the chakras. If you would like to learn more, read “My Top 10 Reasons To Try (and Love) My Yoga Online.”
One of my favorite videos on My Yoga Online (and I have a long list) is “Morning Yoga Flow,” with Neil Mark. Neil starts out the class in savasana and progresses to sun salutations, with a special emphasis on the lower back and sacral spine. The class takes just 36 minutes, but when it is done, my body is tingling, and that yogalicious feeling stays with me throughout the entire day.
There is nothing better than attending a live yoga class at a studio (or a beach!), but when you are short on time, don’t rob yourself of the benefits of a daily yoga practice. Just turn on your computer and spend a few minutes nourishing your body and your soul.
WIN A FREE YEAR OF MY YOGA ONLINE!
Aren’t you glad you kept reading this post?! Yes, it’s true; because the yogis at My Yoga Online are so cool, one lucky Daily Downward Dog reader will win a free year of online membership to My Yoga Online. Here’s what you need to do to win: Visit My Yoga Online and take the site tour of all they have to offer. Maybe like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter if you’re feeling a little love in your heart, and leave a comment below just letting me know what you would be most excited about trying if you had your very own membership to My Yoga Online. You will get an extra entry if you tweet or share this giveaway on Facebook (just be sure to let me know in the comments below). The contest is open until July 25, 2011, at noon, when I will pick one person from the comments below in a random drawing and they are going to feel like it is Christmas in July! Woot Woot!
If you already subscribe to My Yoga Online you can still enter. Just leave a comment below and let me know your favorite videos, so I can check them out too!
All images courtesy of My Yoga Online.
I am already a subscriber of My Yoga Online and LOVE it! Living on a small island, in the Caribbean it is hard to get a huge variety of styles and teachers. Having the access to a large library of practices is such a dream. Referring back to your article above, you can choose whatever time frame that you have available which is the sweet thing about My Yoga Online. Being a yoga teacher myself, I enjoy the mini workshops that are offered from anatomy to alignment, pain relief and chakras; the list goes on. It inspires me and allows me to grow as a teacher not becoming stagnate. Much love to The Daily Downward Dog and My Yoga Online-
I am a new teacher and I have been trying to enhance my knowledge of other yoga styles. This looks like an idea place to keep dipping my toes into new types of practice.
oh my goodness!! I could DEFINITELY use a subscription to this. I like to take my computer outside on my lunch breaks and practice, but sometimes I need a little motivation from outside of myself – so I love to find yoga videos online! I especially would like to explore their “workplace wellness” section. Creating a low-stress environment while I’m at work is something I truly struggle with. Also, I’d really like to learn from their workshops!
You are so right Maria, a few minutes is better than none. My favorite yoga book says that while an hour & a half practice is nice, doing it only twice a week is not as effective as practicing as single pose or meditating for 10 breaths every day.
Another favorite yoga book says, to practice yoga all day long be mindful of sitting up straight throughout the day.
♥♥♥
I would absolutely love to be a My Yoga Online member. I will be a first year elementary school teacher in just a few weeks and I loved the idea of their “De-stress Express” program. I know I would be able to appreciate and implement so many of their suggestions during my stressful beginning to teaching.
I think I’d use my very own membership to My Yoga Online to help me wind down every night. I’ve wanted to start a relaxation/meditation practice for awhile now and I think this would be the thing to help it get going. Great giveaway!!!
…just tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/poiseinparma/status/91533546824544257
It looks like the site has a lot to offer. I like the blend of offerings, classes, anatomy, meditation… I love finding great online resources. It’s so helpful to see how other teachers approach poses, classes, etc. Thanks for the tip!
I would love to have a subscription to My Yoga Online! I”m checking out their site right now. I’ve recently (end of January) become a devotee.
How fun! I would love some quick like 15 or 20 minute wind down your night videos. And the mediation videos also sound great.
Fun giveaway!
I travel such a lot that it’s tricky to fit in a class. My Yoga Online would solve this problem for me in a flash!
I love MyYogaOnline and just haven’t paid for the full service access. I’ve been trying them out slowly since you posted about them a while ago. I think it would be nice to be able to do via laptop, even just a small practice just to get me refocused on long days (that turn into nights) at work, and things like that.
Yoga and meditation is a wonderful way to start your day. It clears the mind, grounds us and makes it easier to live in the present moment. When we start living in the present stress, anger, anxiety, etc… no longer take control of our lives. Peace and blessings
Looks like a fabulous site! I love they even have a place to check out music…as a yoga teacher who generally uses music, I am always in search of new sounds. Thanks for sharing:) OM.
I work long days and it’s not always super easy for me to get to a studio– would love to practice at home!
oh I would love to win this! my practice is still very much in the newb stage, so the more video podcasts/classes I can enjoy the better. It’s not always possible to get to a studio. what a great giveaway! 🙂
I just discovered My Yoga Online when searching for internet video options. Your site I discovered through looking up reviews of My Yoga Online. I’m giving it a try, and would love to win a free year. I’ve practiced for years but want to be more focused and fit more yoga time back into my busy schedule. This seems like a perfect solution.
sounds wonderful just want i’ve been looking for! thank you Downward Dog for sharing! Namaste!
I haven’t practiced over 2 years. I know I need to be on my mat to be me… to be whole. I just can’t seem to find the motivation and I feel like going back to the studio is too intimidating. My body, my mind, and my soul are suffering. I think My Yoga Online is the perfect way for me to ease back into what I love.
Om Mani Padme Hum
&
Namaste
I would love to win the subscription because I am eager to sample the breadth and depth of yoga teachers throughout the country (and not just the ones who grace the cover of Yoga Journal). Thanks!
Woo Hoo – Congrats to Alison the lucky winner of a FREE year of My Yoga Online!
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to check out MyYogaOnline – I loved reading your comments and hope I piqued your interest enough to go ahead and give it a try for a month. Just set aside what it typically costs for one studio class and you can purchase a one month subscription. That gives you access to yoga classes 24/7 – when it is most convenient for you. If you do join – make sure you try out something different and new. I think I’m going to try out the belly dancing classes today 🙂
I would absolutely LOVE to join my yoga online! A fabulous suPplement to my teaching and personal practice.