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New to Yoga? Learn the Essential Foundations for Mindful Practice

What if the principles you practice on your yoga mat could also support greater focus and mindfulness in everyday life? In this foundational lesson, Yoga Instructor Amanda Kramer explores the inner and outer components of yoga, including breath, bandhas, drishti, and vinyasa, and how these practices can deepen your connection to the breath, body, mind, and prana. Learn how to bring greater awareness, focus, peace, equanimity, and joy into your yoga practice and daily life, both on and off the mat.

Disclaimer: If you are recovering from an injury, pregnant, postnatal, nursing or elderly, or have recurring or chronic pain, or any circumstance, consult your doctor for approval concerning your voluntary participation. Instructions provided on the Gaia Goddess Lifestyle platform and elsewhere are in no way intended as a substitute for medical advice. Participation is done at your own risk.

The Foundations of Yoga

Yoga is a practice that integrates physical postures, breath, concentration, and awareness to create greater connection between the body and mind. Its teachings extend beyond physical movement, offering principles that can be incorporated into everyday life. Exploring the foundations of yoga can provide a deeper understanding of how the practice supports a mindful and intentional way of being, both on and off the mat.

What You’ll Learn

How the breath supports focus, cleansing, and the flow of prana
How to practice Ujjayi, or victorious breath, through gentle nasal breathing
The role of bandhas, or energetic locks, in containing prana
How drishti uses focused gaze to support concentration and inward awareness
How vinyasa connects breath and movement
How yoga’s inner and outer practices can be applied on and off the mat

Supporting Mind, Body & Breath Through Yoga

Yoga’s essential practices can help create greater awareness and connection between the breath, body, and mind. By working with breath, focused gaze, energetic awareness, and mindful movement, you can develop greater concentration and bring the qualities of your yoga practice into daily life.

Supports focus and concentration
Encourages greater awareness of the breath
Helps cultivate mindfulness during movement
Supports a deeper connection to prana, or life force energy
Encourages inward awareness while remaining present to the world around you
Creates greater coordination between breath and movement
Supports a sense of peace

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View the Video Transcript.

About Amanda

Amanda is a certified yoga and pilates instructor, blending her multi-disciplinary approach to health and wellness over 20 years in her field and personal practice. Her interest in the healing arts began early and continues today with an ever expanding curiosity and enthusiasm. She loves how every interaction undoubtedly shows the magic of miracles ever present when we turn our awareness inward and trust in the divine presence of our femininity. Through yoga and Pilates, Amanda encourages mindful movement, breath awareness, and a deeper connection between the body, mind, and inner self, both on and off the mat.

You can connect with Amanda on her website or Instagram @amandamaeyoga.

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