Forecast a day of rest

The Yama Yoga Challenge – 

Tip 1:  Forecast your day of rest.

As you begin the 40 day challenge begin by setting a schedule.  For strong and motivating practices visit the studio whenever you can.  For the days you simple can not get there do a home practice.  Five to ten minutes still counts – just as long as you do something.  Regardless of if you are at the studio or at home  make one day a week a restorative restful session.  For ladies Yama Yoga offers a gentle yoga class on Sunday nights at 7:15 but if you can’t make this it is easy to practice at home.

Check the out the following links for more information on restorative yoga.

http://www.yogaandpilatestips.com/what-is-restorative-yoga/

http://www.yogaandpilatestips.com/restorative-yoga-the-relaxation-response/

http://www.dorestorativeyoga.com/poses.html

And for some video tips look at these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6So0DFtOkM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYzQHB_Czl0

These are just some random examples – there are many others.

Oil baths

If you are practicing very strongly for 6 days a week (especially those practicing astanga) a castor oil or almond oil bath is the recommended alternative to the day of restorative yoga.   There are many many benefits of Castor Oil and again proper attention to a Castor Oil bath or Castor Oil massage counts as a day of practice.

For more information on this see

http://elephantbeans.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/pamper-yourself-diy-castor-oil-bath/  or any castor oil bath reference on the web site.

Good luck in your preparations.

Namaste