Tag: yoga

Featured Human of MYS: March 2019

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Please allow me to introduce this month’s Featured Human of MYS: Sholeh Sharif! This compassionate yogini has a practice as deep as her smile is wide. For Sholeh, yoga is a family affair so she already had an intentional practice before coming to Modo. We first met Sholeh in 2016 at our karma and community classes since they were most accessible for a student over at UW.  Since diving into her unlimited practice in summer 2018, we’ve had the honor of watching both the woman and the her practice evolve. Check out of bit of her story below and say hello next time you see her about the studio!

So Sholeh, how has your practice influenced or changed your life?

This practice has changed my life so much! When I first started practicing at MYS, I realized how much I really love yoga. It’s so much more than just a physical practice. The mindfulness and mind/body awareness is so strong, and as I started practicing more and more this became evident. Doing a mix of the modo/modo flow/power flow classes has allowed me to have a mind & body connection that I never realized was possible. Being present in the moment is so important and that’s what allows you to get in touch with your breath and, especially in the flow classes that are one breath-one movement, getting that mind+body+breath connection is just… incredible. I had to take a break from Modo for a few weeks in September when traveling to Panama with Global Medical Brigades. But soon after I got back, I found out I had won a free entrance into the 30 day challenge, so I started it right away! Since then, it has been almost a daily practice for me. Of course life and school schedules (and snow!) will get in the way, but I’ve found myself at Modo on average 5 days per week (and sometimes twice a day, if I get lucky). The work I’ve done in the hot room has found its way into my everyday actions, decisions, and general way of living. My appreciation for my body and all of the amazing things it can do has grown immensely. Mental clarity, focus in school, being honest with myself, body + physical awareness, presence. I’m looking forward to seeing where this journey goes and learning more about what this practice has to offer. I am so grateful to have found Modo. I love all of the instructors, the studio space, this practice, and all of the LOVE that I am surrounded by!!!

Could you share some words of wisdom that you have gained from your practice?

Yoga is so much more than the physical practice itself. It’s about learning to be present, paying close attention to your breath, trying to slow the mind, and more. Through this, though it can be so hard for all of us, your mind + body + breath connection will help you get to know and accept yourself for who you are – because you’re perfect. One of my favorite yoga inspired quotes is, “It’s not about being good at something, it’s about being good to yourself.”

Can you share an achievement from your life that you feel yoga helped make possible?

Yoga has brought balance to my life, and has allowed me to take on so many different roles that I don’t think I could have done otherwise. Being actively involved in the University of Washington community is very important to me, especially since I commute to campus and this takes away from my ability to meet and get to know the other students. The mindfulness + mental clarity I’ve been able to gain from yoga has helped me achieve this goal. For example…besides being a full time pre-med student, I’m very active in my aikido practice (I’m a black belt at Tenzan Aikido), I’m the recruitment & donations/outreach manager for Global Medical Brigades, the president of the Hiking Club at UW, working for the Yoga & Mindfulness program and member of the student employee leadership board (at UW), and other things like this! With yoga as a big part of my life, my mental (and physical) strength has increased so much, along with my ability to focus. But most importantly, it has helped me better understand myself and be present for the world around me.

What is your favorite book or documentary that you think everyone should read?

As a physiology major and an undergrad student going the pre-med route, most of the “free time” that I spend reading is of my neurobiology lectures (people are SO cool!), reviewing organic chemistry notes (I don’t really care which molecule is the nucleophile or which benzene derivative is more reactive, but apparently med schools do), or trying to understand the basis of different animal physiological processes. I can honestly say that I don’t have a favorite book right now! But, when I have time I would love to read Michelle Obama’s new book, Becoming.

Thank you for taking the time away from your studies to let us see into your busy world, Sholeh! May we all learn from your inspiring practice with balance on and off the mat.

 

Featured Human of MYS: January 2019

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We’re thrilled to introduce you to this month’s Featured Human of MYS, Laura Wight!. This member of the 500 Club after sweating in over 600 classes here at Modo Yoga Seattle, is a shining reminder that it’s never too late to learn the importance of self-care. Laura found a steady practice here at Modo back in 2015 and shares a bit of her humble journey from “klutz” to yogi. Check out some of what makes Laura an inspiration to us all here at Modo!

What brought you here?

Perhaps the best Christmas gift I ever received was from my daughter; a yoga mat and a month of unlimited yoga here at MYS. She had practiced here a few times and was very enthusiastic about the studio, the instructors and the all-around vibe. She assured me that I would love it here as well. I had never practiced yoga in a proper studio, let alone hot yoga. My first day I felt like a real klutz. I knocked over my water bottle and on our departure I slipped on a fellow yogi’s sweat. And I couldn’t wait to come back!

How has your practice influenced/changed your life?

I try to show up on my mat three or four days a week, which I consider a real luxury. After retiring I finally found time to be kind to myself. Yoga is the perfect outlet for me. Not only do I enjoy both the spirituality and physicality of the practice, but also learning the benefits of the physiology aspects. I’m happy that my body is getting stronger and that I’m more aware of what inner peace really means to me. I try to incorporate what I’ve learned in the hot room to my everyday life: breathe, be mindful, be humble.

Could you share some words of wisdom that you have gained from your practice?

I recently came across the quote, “yoga is the practice of tolerating the consequences of being yourself.” I couldn’t agree more. There are days when I’m just not feeling it, and other days when I’m like, did I just do that? And to quote one of our beloved instructors here, “leave your ego at the door” really resonates with me. Nobody’s got time for that.

What is your favorite book that you think everyone should read?

Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. This is a non-fictional story about the University of Washington Crew team’s quest to not only perform in, but also win the gold medal in the 1936 Olympics in Germany. With dedication and lots of hard work, these nine young men displayed to the world what true grit really means.

Maintaining a Modo Yoga Practice throughout Pregnancy

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Curious about maintaining a yoga practice throughout pregnancy?

If you are looking to get pregnant or are already pregnant, welcome to this page. The main focus of this post is to guide you, the expectant mother in the safest possible way to maintain a yoga practice throughout your pregnancy. We ask that before you enter a Modo class, that you carefully read these safety guidelines and learn the modifications for your body.

As your body changes quickly, so too will your yoga practice. So how do you maintain a yoga practice throughout pregnancy? It is an opportunity to tune in and connect with your baby, your community, and prepare your body for the birthing process. It is important that we let you know that if you have not had a consistent Modo Yoga practice in a hot room, we do not recommend beginning now.

There are many wonderful, gentle types of prenatal yoga that are available and we can help you find a suitable studio and teacher if you would like. It is important to have a consistent Modo practice already, as you need to be comfortable with the heat, and know what to do if you feel dizzy or unwell. You will also understand the importance of hydration and have a foundation in breath awareness.

Modo Yoga Seattle‘s Policy is this:

You must have a steady Modo practice (or other hot yoga practice) for a minimum of 6 months

Please ensure your teacher knows of your pregnancy. We are all really great at keeping secrets too!

Why maintain a yoga practice throughout pregnancy?

Here are the benefits:

  • Fitness
  • openness and strength
  • breath awareness
  • connection
  • community
  • reduce stress
  • reduce water retention
  • faster recovery
  • reduce low back pain and sciatica
  • acceptance of changing body

Safety Guidelines:

  1. Please tell the teacher that you are pregnant, and which trimester you are in. Our teachers have been asked to keep the temperature below 100 degrees when we have a pregnant practitioner in the room. This is a safety precaution. It is not necessarily dangerous for the baby, as pregnant women work or vacation in hot places, sometimes get fevers and still take hot baths with absolutely no side effects, but it is better to be safe. Because of thermoregulation, our core temperatures are stable even when the external temperature changes.
  • Please be extremely mindful of hydrating before, during and after class. Feel free to leave the class at any time to use the toilet (changing hormones cause this happen almost as soon as the pregnancy begins). As such, we ask that you set up your yoga mat right by the door (it is cooler there, too!)
    • If you feel dizzy or unwell at all, please lay down until it passes, or leave the room to get some air. Your body gets signals of distress before the baby is affected so you must be listening closely.
    • Prepare yourself for a flood of emotions to come sometimes. With so many hip opening poses, combined with hormones and a heightened emotional state, the tears may flow. Crying is a great cleanser, so do not let this discourage you from continuing your practice.
    • Be guided by your comfort. If you experience any pain, stop what you are doing and adjust the pose to suit your new needs or lay down. Your body is the best teacher you have. Your centre of gravity is shifting and balancing will not always be easy. Do not be afraid to use a wall or mirror for support. For example, a back bend may feel wonderful in your first trimester, but in your third, a vulnerable lower back and stretching abdominal muscles may not feel right. Respect your new and changing limitations.
    • Find out where the cooler parts of the room are. This will ensure maximum comfort.
    • Please understand that Modo is often practiced by highly active people that are used to a strong practice. Pregnancy is not a time for this. Practicing at 50%– 75% capacity would be strongly advised.
    • Because Modo can cause weight loss, it is not always the best practice for women in their first trimester. This is a time for building your baby and you need your fat and your energy for this very important job. This is why many pregnant women feel so incredibly tired. If you are nauseous, you may not feel like practicing in the heat anyway. Only you can know if the yoga is benefiting your pregnancy.
    • Please keep a healthy snack in your bag for after class.
    • If you can, give yourself at least 15 minutes to rest after class before you drive. It is also a nice time to connect with other practitioners, mothers and the teachers about what you are experiencing.
    • At the end of class, when the Kapalabhati breathing is happening, this is a good time to do pelvic floor toning exercises. Inhale to lift and tighten, exhale to relax. We are very comfortable saying that the body and breath awareness that a Modo Yoga practice offers can truly benefit your birthing experience. The confidence and strength you gain will bring out your true warrior for this incredible and incomparable transformation.

What should you do now?

  1. Book a private with one of our teachers who can help you maximize the safest and most healthy pregnancy!  Bring a friend or partner for only $100 (plus tax).  Contact the studio directly to set up a time by emailing info@modoyogaseattle.com or calling us @ (206)-402-6772.
  2. Purchase our Modo pregnancy DVD and dive into your practice at home and get comfortable with each modification that is offered during each stage of your pregnancy. Can be picked up at the studio!
  3. Review the modifications now – click here for a PDF version of the Modo sequence modifications.
  4. Practice!  

Have a safe and beautiful pregnancy, we look forward to having you at the space!