I recently had the pleasure of spending a weekend with my teacher, Francois Raoult, about a month ago. He was in town teaching a seminar based on his new book My LifAsana: A collection of essays, poems and aphorisms on Yoga and Life. It's not your typical yoga book - it's filled with wonderful stories about his yoga journey and nuggets of wisdom about yoga, practice and life. I highly recommend it - click the link to check it out.

Having studied intensively with Francois for a decade and then through seminars and trainings since then - I've spent another two decades digesting these teachings. That influence is pretty clear in my practice and my teaching. The video I have posted to the library this week is one little exploration he shared with us in the seminar. It's a fun way to "play your practice" and a great challenge for hip strength and stability. You'll find it in the Play, Explore, Create! section Hip Power and Stability Exploration (17 min). If you find it too challenging check the description below the video - I include some links to classes in the library that will build you up to it. Have fun!

I also added A Daily Mindfulness Practice (6 min). This is a five minute mindfulness practice that can be used daily as a timer. I briefly give some guidance and a breath visualization and then sound a bell to end your practice. Five minutes may not seem like much or "enough" but I chose that because it's probably doable for most people and the key is consistent practice. Once you cultivate the practice you can always extend the time for yourself. You could also use this twice a day (or more!) in the morning upon arising and just before bedtime.

Mindfulness is a state cultivated by yoga practice. Making time to learn to sit mindfully brings clarity, allows us to see the "big picture" and manage our emotions and stress more skillfully. Spending five minutes a day to develop this superpower is well worth your time. YOU are worth it!

It is important to know how to sit well-aligned as you do this practice so I have included here links to videos in the library that will help you with that: Postural Refresh (8 min) and How to Sit Without Destroying Your Back (22 min).

Have a lovely week filled with play, connection and mindfulness!

Punar milamah,

Audrey