Travel Archives - Mindfully Written

5 Reasons Why You Should Attend a Yoga Festival

This past weekend was Hanuman Festival in beautiful Boulder, CO. Being a local festival, I decided to go. This means three long days of yoga, community, music, sunshine, green juice and of course, Hanuman. The days were long, but they were also exhilarating, transformational and fun.

I’ve never been to a yoga festival or conference before, so this was a brand new experience. Needless to say (since I’m blogging about it), it was a worthwhile experience. To elaborate, here are 5 reasons why yoga teachers and practitioners should consider attending a yoga festival:

1) Exposure to a Variety of Classes With Respected Teachers:

In my normal practice, the teachers and styles of classes are limited. In larger cities, you might have more variety, but here I don’t. The beauty of festivals is the wide variety of classes, styles and teachers. At Hanuman, I practiced Jivamukti and Kundalini, two styles not represented in my community. Granted, it’s all yoga and there are definite similarities between styles, it’s fun to experience some of the variety of yoga asana or poses.

Just like the exposure to class styles, yoga festivals are a great opportunity to practice with a variety of respected teachers. Granted the “yoga celebrity” concept is strange and kind of counter to the essence of yoga, there is no denying that it’s fun to take a class from someone you’ve seen on the cover of Yoga Journal. Some of them really are fantastic and accessible and knowledgeable – with others, that’s debatable, but everyone has different needs and wants out of a teacher, so that’s just my opinion.

2) Like-Minded Community

In my experience, yoga people like to chat with other yoga people. It bonds us. Going to a yoga festival means these people are everywhere. But beyond the physical practice of yoga, there are vendors offering products and services that fit your lifestyle and food that you actually eat. There was no shortage of green juices, gluten free snacks and health-conscious snacks to purchase. Being one who is often quirky, here I wasn’t. Nothing I did was weird and quite the contrary, I seemed like your average person. Granted not everyone is of the same mentality, but compared to any other event, a yoga festival is the place where you can fit in no matter your preferences.

3) Meet New People

Whether you’re in line at the healthy food truck, sitting watching an inspirational talk or setting up for class, people are everywhere. This festival wasn’t huge so it didn’t feel really busy, but there was still plenty of time to chat with others. Sometimes it was commiserating over a challenging pose or talking about your likes and dislikes of the class while walking to the next activity. If you want to stay solitary, you can. But if you’re looking to meet new people in the local yoga community, you have that opportunity.

If the festival or conference is a local event for you, volunteering is a great way to meet fellow teachers and serious practitioners in the community as well as the event organizers.

4) Expand Your Yoga Horizons

With yoga festivals, you choose the classes and activities you attend. For many, this means sticking with the safe route or taking classes and doing things you are familiar with. The beauty of these events is there is a huge opportunity to expand your horizons. Hate flow (that’s me), go to a power flow class. Interested in Hindu deities (again, yes that’s me), go to a talk on the deities and expand your knowledge. The festival can really be what you make it. If you’re there to just practice, you can do that. If you’re there as continuing education, you can take classes that offer new ways to teach poses. If you’re there to transform, you can do classes and activities to facilitate that.

5) Get Your Butt Kicked

While this isn’t usually what I’m looking for, it was a nice part of the festival. Each of the three days had three class sessions at 2 hours each. That’s the possibility of 6 hours of class per day, or 18 hours over three days. I didn’t attend every classes session because I was also volunteering, but I did one class Friday, two on Saturday and two on Sunday. Each morning, I literally rolled out of bed to do it all over again. My body was aching in places I didn’t even know existed. I was definitely mentally challenged in these classes, but I also found a new level of ability, strength and flexibility in my body. It worked hard this weekend, but it felt great on some level too.

Of course, there are downsides to yoga festivals too. The primary one is the external representation of what is called yoga here in the West. It was a lot of spandex, leggings mostly, and appeared to be a bit of a fashion show. It’s hard as a participant to stay internal because these external things, music, noise, colorful pants and people who can do poses better than you are everywhere. It was a definite challenge. The other challenge is in the classes. Sure I learned new things and was challenged, but I would’ve like to see more variety of classes that covered all of yoga, not just the physical asana and who can do handstands.

But if you know these challenges going in, it’s easier to put that aside and appreciate the event and the opportunity to learn, grow and transform. That’s what it’s all about after all.

Have you been to a yoga festival? If so, what was your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments (whether you agree with me or not!).

How To Overcome Routine & Change Your Life

by Amber Erickson

At some point in life, we all find ourselves just chugging along. Following the routine and just going with it. We like this routine because it’s predictable, it’s safe and it’s comfortable. Routine gives the illusion of being in control.

Routine is helpful in this crazy world and does help keep some of us sane, but what if there is a downside to this safe, comfortable pattern of events? What if we are sacrificing our own potential by taking the safe path? What if this routine is keeping you from truly being happy?

Whoa.

Let that sink in for a minute, then think about the last time you did something scary or uncomfortable. It doesn’t have to be a big, life-changing thing, but when was the last time you stepped outside your comfort zone, did something out of character or took a risk?

Do Something Uncomfortable to Change Your Life

There is a book or process or whatever that challenges people to do something everyday that scares them. While this seems generic and maybe even a little strange, it has some serious merit. Doing something scary can change your life.

Routine leads to autopilot and monotony. Doing something scary creates excitement, laughter and a new perspective.

Changing your behavior and actions can change the way you feel or perceive something. Trying something new and scary has the potential to open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Overcome fear
Boost confidence
Produce feel-good hormones
Create excitement and heightened energy
Promote connection if doing it with someone else
Challenge your preconceived ideas of what you’re capable of
Become more comfortable feeling uncomfortable

Creating any change in life can be slightly uncomfortable. It’s learning to become ok with this discomfort and work through it that real insight, growth and change can happen. What is the saying: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. The way to bust through this is to shake things up, bust through those patterns and see what’s possible. Learning to find comfort in discomfort can change the way you perceive life, the way you approach challenge, stress or change and the quality of your relationships.

Here’s the caveat – this doesn’t have to be revolutionary. You don’t have to jump off a cliff (unless you want to), but really, truly think about where your life is a bit stagnant and see how you could step outside your comfort zone and change your life. Here are a couple ideas:

overcome your fear of asking your boss for a raise
conquer your fear of spiders (or snakes)
if someone asks you to do something and it scares you, say yes and actually do it (nothing illegal or super dangerous please)
take a class, try to learn a new instrument or start a new project that intimidates you
try a new recipe or buy an ingredient that you have no idea how to use
let someone else order for you at a restaurant
play in the mud, go sledding or catch frogs like you were a kid again
tell a friend or loved one what’s really on your mind (honesty can be really challenging)
tell your spouse what you need from them (physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc.)
think about what your oldest friends would say when asked the one thing you’d never do – then do it
if you work out, use heavier weights, or more incline or longer time – see what you’re really capable of
develop a bucket list of sorts of things that scare you but you’d like to try and consult that list every once and a while and do them (think skydiving, taking a solo international trip, getting a promotion, quitting your job, moving to a new area, etc)

I am not afraid of discomfort (generally) and have made many big changes in my life, so I can speak to this topic on a personal level. The times I am most happy and spirited and enthusiastic is when I’m doing new, challenging things. It’s exhilarating and frankly, kind of addicting. Not that you need a huge rush every time, but the feeling you get from being in that slightly uncomfortable zone is special. It’s easy to get into a rut in life, just working away, doing the things you should be doing and letting each day pass by uneventfully. Those days are so forgettable and aren’t really contributing to your growth and transformation.

Some of the things that have made the biggest impact on my happiness and general feeling toward life were moving to Colorado, learning to mountain bike, teaching yoga, quitting my old job, starting freelance writing, participating in new activities around town and trying new things. These are the times when I laugh, I smile and not a worried thought or preoccupation exists – it’s like the time of true contentment, happiness and presence.

One good example is mountain biking – it’s so hard. Physically it’s working through a lack of oxygen, fatigued muscles, and then climbing another hill and then having the technical skill to navigate rocks or roots. Most of the time on the bike is uncomfortable in one way or another. I always push through (often with lots of verbal support) and after the ride, I’m on top of the world. I exceeded my past abilities, maybe didn’t fall for once or made it up a big hill – these things push the bounds of what I think are possible and open up new possibilities. If I can do that hill, why can’t I do this bigger, scarier one? And if I can climb hills, maybe I can do this or that or another thing I’m afraid of. We never know just how strong, smart, confident, or whatever we are until we’ve been challenged.

Routine leads us to not be present. Getting outside your comfort zone and doing scary things promote being present, being alert and feeling alive. When it’s put that way, what’s stopping you?

{Note: The photo is my sister sitting in her kart before a karting race. It was terrifying – these things go crazy fast – but so much fun}

Save Your Sanity With These Simple (& Cheap) Self-Care Ideas

by Amber Erickson

The concept of self-care is pretty simple: the things you do to take care of yourself. Easy enough, right?!

Unfortunately, most of us don’t really take care of ourselves to the extent we need to live happy, healthy, vibrant lives. We focus on taking care of family, working, sleeping, eating and maybe fitting in a workout or sparse social life. What we fail to realize is that taking time to nurture all of our needs is the only way to feel whole and complete and prevent dis-ease. These needs include physical, emotional, spiritual, social, environmental, intellectual, etc.

Self-care is often talked about in two circles – mothers and health care providers. These two groups seem separate but have many of the same characteristics. They are so busy providing, nurturing and giving that they have nothing left for themselves. But then not giving to themselves starts a downward spiral of guilt, fatigue, exhaustion and then eventual breakdown or burnout. Parents need adult interaction. They need time away. Nurses need to take lunch breaks. They need relaxing days off. While the topic of self-care lends itself nicely to women who try to do too much, it’s absolutely applicable to men as well. The stress of trying to be the breadwinner and the unrealistic cultural ideal of what a good husband/father/man is can create unnecessary pressure to do more and be more.

Regardless of your lot in life, this all sums down to one simple idea: We all need to take care of ourselves. Period. If you want to be healthy and happy, you have to take care of yourself every day, not just when things go wrong.

If you’ve never thought much about taking care of all sides of yourself, here is a simple list of ideas to get started. Remember that self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. Sure, an exotic vacation every year does help to relax, unwind and rejuvenate, but the effects are short-lived. The day-to-day self-care is what really helps you be more patient, more present and more calm everyday. While it’s common to think self-care time takes away from family or work time, think of it this way: Self-care allows you to be a better mom/partner/employee/etc. Taking care of yourself means you have more to give others.

If you still need help getting there mentally, think of it as an investment. Each time you take care of yourself, you’re making a positive contribution to your sanity, your household, your workplace and your community. Giving all the time only leads to resentment, frustration, anger, short-tempers and hostility. Which do you choose?

So what now? What does self-care look like and how can you get started?

Here are just a few ideas. Self-care is a personal process – you need to find what soothes, satisfies and restores your spirit.

Exercise
Take a class (yoga, pilates, zumba, etc.)
Eat Right
Try something new (that’s fun) – bonus for bringing your significant other or friend along
Laugh
Play
Maintain good hygiene
Meditate
Practice yoga or other movement therapy
Take walks (bonus for bringing your furry friend with)
Spend time outdoors
Read (for fun)
Draw, paint or use your creativity
Get a massage
Go out on a date (without your kids)
Take a vacation (even something simple close to home)
Knit, sew or make things
Prioritize personal development
Practice relaxation techniques (guided imagery, visualization, progressive relaxation, breathing, etc.)
Consult an expert (psychotherapy, marriage counseling, yoga therapist, life coach, personal trainer, etc.)
Reduce screen time (put down the phone and step away from the TV)
Make a lunch or coffee date with friends (positive, loving friends only – no negativity and gossiping)
Take a bath

As you can see, the options are quite diverse, cover a variety of price points and are of varying length or commitment. The goal is to do some self-care every. single. day. Your health, happiness, sanity and life satisfaction will thank you.

Now it’s your turn. How do you take care of yourself? Share your favorite self-care techniques and experiences in the comments.

How to Keep Your New Years Resolution: This Year Can Be Different

by Amber Erickson

Did you set any new year’s resolutions this year? We’re now several days into the year, those who set resolutions often fall into two camps:

1) Those who are still gung-ho, motivated and building new habits

2) Those who have forgotten, lost interest, decided to quit or didn’t really intend on doing said thing anyway

To help you either stay motivated or re-commit to your resolutions, you need to start at the source and ask yourself some potentially tough questions.

Why Did you Set a New Years Resolution Anyway?

This is probably a hard one. Take some time to sit down with your list of resolutions and reflect. What caused you to choose them? Are they really your goals or someone else’s? Do you really want the outcome associated with the resolution?

For example, let’s say your resolution this year is to lose 15 pounds. In theory most people would say they’d like to lose some weight, but do you really? Are you willing to put in the work to make this happen? Are you just trying to do this because you think your partner will like you more or you will look better come bikini season? If you aren’t really wanting to lose the weight or don’t have strong motivations (like health, confidence, etc.), you will not succeed in keeping your resolution.

Refine Your New Years Resolutions

Once you understand where your motivations for the resolution(s) came from, you might need to refine them to be more realistic. The best resolutions are:

Achievable – Setting a goal that you will never achieve might keep you motivated, or it’ll lead to quitting. The best goals or resolutions are ones that, with the right amount of effort, are able to be achieved.

Appropriate – Your resolution must be something that is appropriate to you, your lifestyle and your health. Don’t set out looking to run a marathon if you have a bum knee. You’ll get injured and fail. Really consider the flaws in your resolution. Maybe right now isn’t the right time to start. Consider doing a mid-year resolution or a March resolution.

Consider your list and make sure you didn’t choose too many resolutions. Start with one or two, depending on their complexity and perhaps add in more components later. Trying to do too much from the outset will lead to failure. Creating new habits takes 21 days or so, depending who you ask, and trying to create too many habits as once is just too much to focus on.

Hold Yourself Accountable

Now that you understand your resolutions and have refined them to be appropriate and achievable, you need to hold yourself accountable. Most people’s resolutions barely make it through January. Some are too hard, others don’t have the time to devote but I suspect most failures come from lack of accountability and follow-through.

Changing habits and setting personal goals is not easy. It take dedication, discipline and determination. If you’re lacking these, it’s not going to happen. You can’t just say, “my resolutions this year is to make more money,” and then keep doing what you have been doing. You have to plan. You have to act. You have to take matters into your own hands.

For those with fitness or health goals, you might start by joining a gym, finding a workout buddy, searching for a 5K run plan online, planning weekly meal charts, researching exercises, etc. These all take effort. Some take money. All take planning and commitment.

For real life changes, you have to want it. You have to put in the work. And you have to stick with it. Change does not happen overnight.

Create a Plan and Celebrate Success

First create a plan. It can be basic and simple or robust and specific, depending on your personality. Perhaps you start with weekly check-ins or a list of monthly to-do’s. If, at the end of the year, you want X to happen (weigh 15 lbs less, make 10% more, etc.), start at December and work backwards. What has to happen every day/week/month/quarter to achieve your resolution? If you want to lose 15 pounds, perhaps 1 pound per week is appropriate. That means you’ll need 15 weeks. Map out those weeks, including exercise days/times and nutrition planning. Perhaps you sit down every Sunday to plan the coming week. Put workouts in your calendar to help you do them. Perhaps you meet with a nutritionist a couple times. Each resolution will require a different plan.

And importantly, celebrate your successes. If you’re the unmotivated type (like me), consider a weekly “prize” for your efforts. If you made it to the gym three times and didn’t splurge on ice cream or dessert (for example), have one simple snack or go out to a movie. Don’t make it so grand that you set yourself back and make sure the prizes are worth it to you, but be sure to take time to acknowledge your hard work and sacrifice.

Finally, don’t be too hard on yourself. We all falter, we all fall off the wagon. The beauty is you can always recommit to your resolutions. After all, the best day to take action is today.

Now it’s your turn! Did you set resolutions and if so, how is it going? Share your resolutions in the comments and if you have strategies that work, share them for your peers to see.

{Photo Credit: Colin Tsoi}

Managing Holiday Stress

by Amber Erickson

It’s here. The holidays. By now, Thanksgiving is long past, presents are probably mostly purchased and wrapped, plans are made and now is when the real stress kicks in. Family, friends, outings, logistics, unhealthy eating, busy schedules, loss of routine, etc. This all has an effect on how we feel, how well we can manage our emotions and how we relate with others. This year, lets work on managing holiday stress.

The holidays are definitely stressful, more for some of us than others, but luckily, we can do something about it. This holiday season, you can stay sane.

How to Manage Holiday Stress

1. Say No: There is already enough going on and taking on too much is a recipe for stress and illness. Practice saying no or finding creative solutions to make the season less stressful.

2. Exercise: Move your body, get some fresh air and take the time to take care of yourself. Consider making family walks, sledding or other outdoor physical activities part of your holiday tradition. Again, take care of yourself and exercise is one of those things that is great not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

3. Eat Healthy Foods: It’ll be hard, especially if your family loves their sweets. Try to practice moderation with your food choices. Make good choices where you can, but don’t stress too much or you’ll end up feeling deprived and stressed.

4. Sleep: Get plenty of rest. Acknowledge that your schedule will probably be uprooted a bit, especially if you’re traveling, but do what you can to get to bed at a decent time and get enough sleep. Take short naps on days you feel wiped out. Doing too much on too little sleep will make you sick.

5. Ask for Help: You can’t do it all – none of us can. Try to simplify your plans where possible and ask for help when you need it. True self-care includes knowing your limits and not exceeding them.

6. Plan Ahead: Do as much ahead of time as possible. Get your presents purchased and wrapped, prep food, do grocery shopping, etc. The more you can do ahead of time, the less stressed you’ll be on the busy days.

7. Appreciate: Take a moment every day to think about what you have and find time to be appreciative of that. Reminding yourself of all the good in the world can help overcome stress and negativity. This is especially necessary if you have a challenging family to deal with.

Happy holidays everyone and this season, put yourself first. Practice some of these things to make your holiday more joyful and less stressful.

What do you do to relieve holiday stress? Share your thoughts in the comments for others to benefit from.

{Photo courtesy of my sister: Merry Christmas Mel!}