Greetings, Core Characters,

Has anyone ever recommended that you “use your core” when you’re doing some form of exercise? Or to “just breathe?” We know these basic principals but how do we really learn to DO them?

Many moons ago, when I was playing college tennis, I went through a phase of doubt in my game. My head was getting the best of me until I read a book called The Inner Game of Tennis by Tim Gallwey. In a nutshell, what helped me the most, was his advice to focus on the fuzz on the tennis ball when you’re playing your game. Don’t think about your fancy topspin,  your placement, or your opponent;  just think about the fuzz on the ball. Sounds a bit trite and too simple, right? (The book has other helpful insights and I highly recommend reading it.) And yet, this one mental application changed my game. To this day, when I play and lose focus, I go back to this mantra and it helps!

Doing yoga is like focusing on the fuzz on the ball; We learn to slow down and to stop thinking about all of the other distractions that interrupt our ability to play our “game of yoga.” We keep it simple and focus on a few insights that help with our physical movements like holding a difficult pose or doing challenging core work. We practice breathing effortlessly with an applied method that can be used anytime.

This week in our yoga class, we are going to break down the principals of what it really means to “use your core.” We will practice Equal Part Breath for balance and simplicity.  By Savasana, you will be free of your doubts and complicated expectations of yourself. You may even see the fuzz on the ball.

Here is the schedule for the week: