You may have heard Yoga practice compared to the lotus flower, the flower of a thousand petals that grows in muddy waters.The metaphor that we are like the lotus flower, continuously creating and recreating itself and a reminder that we are in a constant state of renewal.

Yoga instructor Johanna Steinfeld demonstrates the viparita virabhadrasana with tree support pose.Gavin Young / Postmedia

The dedicated practitioner of Yoga practice will observe a multitude of blessings present and unfold themselves slowly and overtime.These are experienced initially by the physical body in forms of more flexibility, strength and improved ability to balance.Later on they are experienced more deeply as one penetrates the layers of the body to the more subtle realm and to fostering a quieter more relaxed mind.One will cultivate a deeper internal intelligence and learn how to listen and adjust to what the body is trying to tell you.

Yoga instructor Johanna Steinfeld demonstrates the modified adho mukha svanasana / downward facing dog with tree support.Gavin Young / Postmedia

The longer we have a relationship to our Yoga practice the more deeply these things unfold and open.

Like a cherished relationship that deepens and evolves over time, Yoga is the doorway to creating a strong and healthy relationship with all parts of yourself

Our bodies are made for full movement and huge range of motions.Yoga has us exploring movement in every direction and encourages us to keep our bodies connected, healthy and aligned.We practicepostures that work the left side of the body, the right side of the body and the centre line of the body.We expand, extend and work at opening the body in every plane and to moving with more awareness.And along the way, we grow ourselves from the inside out.

Yoga instructor Johanna Steinfeld demonstrates the modified virabhadrasana I / warrior 1 with tree to support the chest and shoulder opening for her August 2017 yoga column.Gavin Young / Postmedia

Overtime we learn to attune to what is happening deep within us.We have one side thats stronger and one side thats weaker.One side that is more open and one side that is more tight.Sometimes the disparity is obvious and sometimes it is more subtle.

Yoga practice shows us these subtle imbalances with constant illumination.We learn to work with the body to help create ease caused by misalignment and lack of awareness.And along the way we are bringing back to life what may have gone to sleep.

An example from one of my personal habits is that I hold my head slightly tilted to the right. I have learned that when I do this my ribs shift slightly to the left, my right hip lifts a little higher than the left and I am putting more weight and more pressure onto my right knee.Now that I am awake to the effects this small head tilt has on my body, I am working hard to break this habit and carry my entire structure in better balance.It is not easy to break our personal habits, but the work and effort will hopefully help elude bigger problems down the road.

The following poses will encourage you to stretch out both sides of your body.Pay attention to where things are tight.Move slowly and with your breathPractice patience, practice awareness and practice Yoga tree is optionalTo be guided in and out of each of the following poses, follow along with the attached video.

Be advised that it is always best to practice under the watchful eye of a dedicated Yoga teacher to grow your practice safely and slowly.

May your practice grow like the lotus flower, and may you be at home in the muddy waters.

Johanna Steinfeld teaches Yoga to people just like you in Calgary SW. http://www.itsjustyoga.comJoin me for a Yoga Vacation and Retreat at the Villa Sumaya eco resort on beautiful Lake Atitlan, Guatamala this October.All levels of Yogis encouragedwww.itsjustyoga.com/guatamala2017

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Yoga helps foster deeper self awareness - Calgary Herald