“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” Buddha
I’ve come across this Buddha quote hundreds, if not thousands of times, and it always speaks to my soul.
And this pic was taken during my husband’s and my honeymoon through Southeast Asia at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. That place is magical! If you ever find yourself in Malaysian Borneo do check it out.
1. Attend a retreat, workshop or teacher training.
Okay, lets start with the most obvious way to deepen your yoga practice. Go on a retreat, participate in an immersion program, or attend a teacher training with a favorite teacher. Maybe try a new-to-you style of yoga like Bhakti Flow, Yin, or Ashtanga. If you feel ready to move deeper into your practice read my recent blog post about what it’s like to attend a yoga retreat. Yoga retreats and teacher trainings are life changing, practice changing, wall breaking awesomeness.
2. My favorite: Begin a meditation practice.
For those that are new to meditation begin with 5-10 minutes a day. There are many different types of meditation, explore them all: Mindfulness, Concentration, Transcendental, Japa, Mantra etc. Don’t limit yourself to one type. They all have benefits. To begin a meditation practice all you need is a comfortable seat. The most simple meditation technique is to simply witness the gentle tide of your breath. I like using the Insight Timer App for my meditation practice. Insight Timer has guided meditations (helpful if you’re feeling distracted or overwhelmed) and also a timer. Insight Timer also has a pretty substantial and involved meditation community.
3. Get familiar with Patanjali’s Yamas & Niyamas
Yep I said it. The yamas and niyamas are a guide to living a moral, yogic lifestyle. In layman’s terms the yamas are things not to do, while the niyamas are things to do. These are the first two limbs in Patanjali’s eightfold path as laid out in the Yoga Sutras. It takes a lot of courage to really look at ourselves and our lives as they relate to the yamas and niyamas. Don’t be afraid to shine that light. It will only bring you growth.
The Yamas (Restraints)
Ahimsa: nonviolence
Satya: truthfulness
Asteya: non-stealing
Brahmacharya: non-excess ie. moderation
Aparigraha: non-attachment ie. non-greed
The Niyamas (Observances)
Saucha: purity
Santosha: contentment
Tapas: self-discipline
Svadhyaya: self-study
Ishvara Pranidhana: surrender
4. Begin a Home Practice
Create a sacred space in your home for your practice. I live in a 1000 sq. foot duplex that I share with my husband, two dogs, and a cat… and I work from home when I’m not teaching yoga. Let’s just say it’s cozy. In our guest room I have created a space that feels almost sacred…. to be honest most days it needs a little to a lot of help, but it’s a work in progress. I ALWAYS have a mat down and props available. The room gets great natural lighting, I keep essential oils handy and I’m in the process of finding a small table to use as an altar.
Create a space for your home practice anywhere… even if it’s in your living room with your toddler running around or your pets sleeping on your mat. Only you know what you need when it comes to your practice, so give yourself the space and the time to explore.
5. Create a practice of gratitude.
Practicing gratitude is an absolute gift… and maybe one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Don’t get me wrong my life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but I do make it a point to practice gratitude multiple times a day and now it has become a habit. When I’m making dinner I find gratitude in the fresh, healthy produce in front of me and my wonderful partner that helps me prepare meals, the sweet puppy cuddles and kisses that I graciously receive everyday, my healthy, strong and capable body, the many teachers I have in my life (yoga instructors, friends, acquaintances, students, my partner), the list goes on and on. Tips for adding in a bit more gratitude: Anytime you’re by yourself take a moment to reflect on what you’re grateful for: in the car, brushing your teeth, in the shower, walking to work, beginning/ending your yoga practice, cleaning the kitchen or bathroom, doing laundry.
I hope you find these tips to deepen your practice helpful. I’m always here to support you if you have questions or need guidance.
Autumn founded Ambuja Yoga in 2014 to share her love of adventure, yoga, and travel with her fellow yogis. Ambuja Yoga has morphed into more than she could have ever dreamed and she is thrilled to have a "job" she loves. She is forever grateful for the opportunity to facilitate personal growth and self love through yoga while taking yogis to off-the-beaten-path destinations worldwide. Follow Autumn on Instagram @autumnadamsyoga.
View of Playa Escameca from Costa Dulce Beach Bungalows
Deciding on what type of yoga retreat to attend is a big decision. Being clear about what your needs and wants are regarding your yoga holiday will ensure that you book the retreat that is perfect for you right now. I’m hoping these questions will help you choose your next yoga retreat.
Here are some questions to ask yourself before you write the check for your next yoga retreat:
How much time do I have available?
What’s my budget?
Do I want a luxury retreat, a budget retreat, or something in between?
Do I want an active retreat or a restorative yoga retreat?
Do I want lots of scheduled downtime or lots of activities?
Do I prefer to be around all women/men or both sexes equally?
What type of yoga do I currently practice? Vinyasa, hatha, Bikram, Yin, Ashtanga, etc.
Do I want a detox retreat or would I like the occasional wine, beer, cocktail?
Do I need special accommodations? Private room? ADA accessible?
How important are beach and/or pool access?
Am I looking to expand my yoga practice beyond the asana practice?
Do I need a payment plan to afford a retreat?
Where am I comfortable traveling to? Country? Developed or developing nations? Be specific.
Do I need three square meals a day? What other types of needs do I have regarding meals? Vegetarian? Vegan? Gluten-free? Dairy-free? Organic? Juice cleanse?
What’s my honest experience level in my asana practice? Beginner? Intermediate? Advanced?
Am I open to chanting, meditation, sharing circles, spiritual work?
What’s my tolerance for creepy crawlers? Bugs, snakes, birds, etc.
Will I be traveling alone, couple, group of friends?
How do I feel in group settings? Do I prefer smaller groups or larger groups?
Do I have any special sleep requirements?
Do I need WIFI? If yes, how much access do I need?
What add-ons are important to me? Massage? Snorkeling? Hiking? Surfing? Life coaching? Meditation? Etc.
Sincerely wishing you the best of luck as you research your yoga retreat!
Autumn founded Ambuja Yoga in 2014 to share her love of adventure, yoga, and travel with her fellow yogis. Ambuja Yoga has morphed into more than she could have ever dreamed and she is thrilled to have a "job" she loves. She is forever grateful for the opportunity to facilitate personal growth and self love through yoga while taking yogis to off-the-beaten-path destinations worldwide. Follow Autumn on Instagram @autumnadamsyoga.
Yay, you’ve booked your first yoga retreat! But maybe you’re feeling a little apprehensive or anxious. Don’t worry, I think that is a totally normal reaction, especially if you’re going on a retreat with a teacher you don’t know or to an unfamiliar destination. As a retreat organizer this is what you can expect from your first yoga retreat:
You’ll do yoga… and probably lots of it. From my experience you will do a minimum of two hours of asana practice a day and possibly up to four hours for a typical yoga retreat. If you’re attending an asana intensive retreat then plan on doing even more…. with that said 1/2 of your asana practice will most likely be of a gentler or more restorative variety.
You will be challenged… on your mat and off of your mat. It’s inevitable. New location, new people, new food, new routines and possibly a new teacher. Know that you’re being blessed with the opportunity to truly focus on your yoga practice (you may become frustrated and you may come right up to your physical/mental/ emotional threshold… that’s okay). You will have the opportunity to practice with absolute self love and to practice patience with yourself. And don’t worry you will have lots of fun too.
“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.” Lucius Annaeus Seneca
You will make life-long friends. Each retreat new friendships are made and that is one of my favorite parts about hosting yoga retreats. There is a certain magic about getting a bunch of like-minded people together to do what they love in a beautiful location. Barriers begin to fall and true friendships are created. The friends you meet during your first yoga retreat may just end up being your best retreat-ing buddies
Book that extra massage, colonic, cleanse, surf lesson. You only live once. You won’t regret doing it, but you’ll most likely regret not taking advantage of the opportunity. On my last trip to Bali I booked at least two massages a week and my body never felt better (I was also eating a plant based diet, not drinking alcohol, and doing 3+ hours of yoga each day). My first trip to Bali I had ZERO massages…. and I was kicking myself for it.
Your body, mind and soul will be rejuvenated. When you return home you will feel refreshed. You will notice it and everyone else will notice it too… your partner, your coworkers, your employers, and your fellow yogis. Carry your bliss with you as long as you can.
You’ll immediately start looking to book your second retreat. This I always laugh about, but it’s true. You won’t want to leave and you will immediately want to do it all over again. And why not? I think we absolutely deserve a week (or more) of indulgent self-care at least once year.
Relax, You’re in good hands. You’ll love it. Have fun. Roll with the punches. Enjoy having someone else take care of all the planning so you can focus on celebrating this life you’ve been given.
Who doesn’t like pie? I love pie. Especially when it’s some form of a vegan gluten-free superfood pie… okay I like other pies too, but after eating raw pie nearly everyday in Bali I have to get my “fix” somewhere. We made this super simple pie over Thanksgiving and it was fantastic (and only 7 ingredients)! Here is an adapted version from Dana at the Minimalist Baker. If you haven’t checked out her blog full of delicious recipes do it! And no she is not paying me to say that. Seriously though… it’s fantastic.
Crust
Ingredients
1 heaping, packed cup of dates, pitted (she suggests soaking them for 10 minutes in warm water… I’m not sure it was necessary, but hey why not try it yourself)
1/3 cup raw cacao
1.5 tablespoons raw maca powder
1.5 cups raw walnuts or pecans (I’ve done the crust with both and they’re both yummy)
Instructions:
Add your dates, nuts, maca and raw cacao to your food processor or blender. Blend until it resembles a sticky pie crust in texture.
Use a little coconut oil to grease the bottom of a spring form pan. Then press the crust down into the dish. I used a silicone spatula with a little coconut oil on it. Dana suggests using a sheet of plastic wrap… I think her suggestion is probably better, but the spatula worked fine.
Place your crust in the freezer while you make the filling.
Filling
Ingredients:
12 ounces of soft, silken tofu, drained and patted dry (It comes in the sterilized packs and is shelf stable)
1 3/4 cups of dairy-free semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup coconut cream
Instructions:
In a double boiler or microwave melt your chocolate chips until they become smooth.
In a blender combine tofu, melted chocolate chips and coconut cream. Blend until smooth and scrape down the sides as needed.
Take your pie crust out of the freezer and fill it up with your pie filling.
To set, put your pie in the freezer or in the fridge. (Note: Both times I’ve put it in the freezer and it was quite firm… next time I will just put it in the fridge, so it’s softer and looks like Dana’s)
Autumn founded Ambuja Yoga in 2014 to share her love of adventure, yoga, and travel with her fellow yogis. Ambuja Yoga has morphed into more than she could have ever dreamed and she is thrilled to have a "job" she loves. She is forever grateful for the opportunity to facilitate personal growth and self love through yoga while taking yogis to off-the-beaten-path destinations worldwide. Follow Autumn on Instagram @autumnadamsyoga.
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