What is mindfulness yoga?

Mindfulness meditation is a powerful tool which can be integrated in various ways into a yoga session.

In Quiroesencia's yoga classes in Granada, we create an environment where practitioners can look inward and focus on what they need that day, rather than achieving a perfect posture. 

Every body is different, and every day is different, and the same posture does not work for every practitioner. A mindfulness approach to yoga practice is a very effective way to learn to read the body and its needs moment by moment.

Mindfulness and yoga: a winning combination

Some effective ways to incorporate Mindfulness, also known as mindfulness meditation, in a yoga session includes the use of conscious movement, breathing, visualization, and somatic practices.

1. Conscious movement

Mindful movement involves practicing yoga poses with awareness and intention. 

During a yoga class, students can be encouraged to focus on the sensations in your body as they move from one position to another. 

By bringing their attention to the present moment, students can cultivate a sense of mindfulness that can help them stay present and focused throughout their practice.

2. Breathing

Breathing is an essential aspect of mindfulness meditation. 

By focusing on the breath, students can be more aware of your body and mind. During a yoga class, students can be guided to focus on their breathing as they move through the various poses. 

This can help them stay present and focused, and cultivate a sense of calm and relaxation.

3. Visualization

Visualization is a powerful tool for cultivating mindfulness. 

During a yoga class, students can be guided to visualize a calm scene or a positive image while doing the various poses.

This can help them stay present and concentrated, and to cultivate a sense of calm and relaxation.

4. Somatic practices

Somatic practices consist of paying attention to the bodily sensations. 

During a yoga class, students can be guided to focus on their body sensations, thoughts, and any emotions or beliefs that may arise as they move through the different postures. 

This can help them become more aware of their bodies and cultivate a sense of mindfulness.

Learn the main differences between yoga and pilates.

The benefits of mindful yoga

There are many benefits to practicing mindful yoga. Considered “the father of mindfulness,” Jon Kabat-Zinn includes a mindful yoga practice in his mindfulness-based stress reduction programs. Let’s look at some of his ideas about mindful yoga and also take into account that each person experiences a different evolution in their way of being through a mindfulness practice. However, here are some common benefits of practicing mindful yoga.

1. A deep sense of self-awareness and openness to oneself – knowing the essence of the self
   

Generally speaking, practicing mindfulness leads to a broadening of your perspective and understanding of who you are (Kabat-Zinn, 2005). With mindful yoga, we learn to be acutely aware of habitual patterns of reactivity. For example, do you hold your breath when you go deep into a twist? Do you feel agitated or angry during challenging poses and wish they would end?

This type of acute mind-body awareness becomes a transformative tool outside of yoga practice, as it is through awareness that we develop our ability to see and be with things as they are. Training our awareness helps us move away from characteristics that slow our growth, such as resistance to what is, adopting the role of victim, and reacting instead of responding (Dodd, nd).

Master advanced techniques to optimize your meditation.

2. Helps face the challenges of everyday life / decreases reactivity
   

Mindful yoga practice encourages patience and discourages reactivity on the mat, which in turn leads to greater patience and less reactivity off the mat. This can be seen in all areas of life, including work, relationships, social life and leisure activities (Moss, 2018).

This increase in patience can make it easier to deal with conflicts and confrontations, as, with practice, we learn to stop and reflect before reacting, following our patterns.

3. Acceptance
   

Through mindful yoga practice, we learn to let go and accept situations as they are in that moment. Bringing this into everyday life can be of great value, since when we accept a perceived negative situation as it is, we begin to neutralize it and move through it more easily.

Acceptance is even known to help people with depression, as by beginning to accept depression, you take away its power and realize that it is just a thought and feeling, it is not you.

Practicing acceptance on the mat prepares you for real life, since you really can't choose what happens next. Mindful yoga teaches you to adapt to circumstances.

4. A greater sense of compassion and lack of judgment toward self and others
   

Increased compassion, kindness, and understanding are characteristics we can take off the mat and apply into our daily lives through regular mindful yoga practice.

As mindful yoga increases your awareness and understanding of truth, whether of the body, feelings, mind, or dharma, it deepens your recognition of basic goodness in yourself and others (Isaacs, 2008).

Specific “heart opening” poses throughout the yoga practice are also intended to support a healthy, open heart (this refers to the emotional aspect, not the physical). Since the heart chakra is related to our ability to give and receive love, regular mindful yoga practice helps heal emotional blockages and release negative beliefs.

Integrate lymphatic drainage into your holistic wellness practice.

5. Deepen your personal yoga practice
   

Another benefit of mindful yoga is that it can give greater depth and meaning to your personal yoga practice. For some, after many years of practice, yoga can become a daily chore or simply a form of exercise. When the practice begins to become something you do automatically through routine movement and not through conscious thought, it is no longer yoga.

Mindful yoga, by its very nature, takes you off “autopilot” and immerses you deeper into your practice. It can also act as a bridge between asana practice and meditation practice, especially for those who do not have much experience or understanding of meditation techniques.

Explore the fundamentals of Hatha Yoga.

In Quiroesencia you can enjoy yoga and mindfulness sessions

In general, integrating mindfulness meditation into a yoga class using mindful movement, breathing, visualization, and somatic practices can help students cultivate a sense of mindfulness, stay present and focused, and cultivate a sense of of calm and relaxation.

Discover our personalized yoga classes in Granada.

Do you want to try it for yourself? Don't hesitate and make a reservation in our center.

In this way, you will be able to verify all the benefits that are obtained with this combination both at the level of body and mind.

Integrate lymphatic drainage into your holistic wellness practice.