How to Focus Your Yoga Practice: Foundations for Beginner and Advanced Students

Yoga means to yoke or to union. It’s a practice meant to connect us with ourselves and to put us at harmony with the world around us. But we live in fast-paced, technology-driven times and many of us demand perfection of ourselves at work, at home and even on the mat. I frequently see busy professionals on their backs in class, yoga strap in one hand and texting with the other. And I often hear from new clients that “I want to try yoga but I’m not flexible enough yet and I’ll embarrass myself.” News flash: that text can wait. And unless a doctor recommends you wait to start yoga you are ready. If you’re waiting for the perfect time to start something you’ll be waiting forever.

Whether you’re contemplating taking your first yoga class or you’re a yoga veteran struggling to find that union during your Asanas practice, watch this two minute video of the lovely and amazing Morgan McEvilly. Morgan has been practicing yoga for nearly a decade and is a Yoga Alliance Yoga Teacher and a Certified Personal Trainer based in San Francisco. She was kind enough to sit down with me and explore the principles of community-vs.competition, action and intention in poses versus a visual look and how to check in with yourself during class. 

Morgan then demonstrates and cues three foundational poses you can use both at home on your own and in practically any yoga class: Child’s Pose, Downward Dog, and Surya Namaskara A (Sun Salutation) for Beginner and Advanced students.

Namaste! See you on the mat!