What is Hatha Yoga or What is Vinyasa yoga? I want to spend some time explaining the differences and similarity between the two classes. Watch the video that goes with this post! 


Hatha Yoga is an ancient practice. Hatha is a lineage of yoga that began around 800 CE and is a style most practiced today. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika was written by Swatmarma in the mid-1300s and is the classical manual of Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga teaches a six-limbed practice.

1. Yama's & Nyiamas ( Moral and Ethical conduct)
2. Asana (posture)
3. Pranayama (breath restraint)
4. Shatkarma (six purification practices)
5. Mudra and Bandha (seals and locks that help create, and direct energy within the body)
6. Samadhi (liberation)

In a public yoga practice, you can expect to practice asana (posture) that includes breathing work, mudra, and bandha. Hatha yoga is sometimes only directed towards beginners because it is taught at a slower pace. Students have time to master alignment, breath, and bandha for each posture. Hatha yoga is great for beginners because for this reason. Just because this practice is taught slower and held for a specific count of breath does not mean it is easier. You may hold familiar postures(downward facing dog, Warrior 1, Triangle) for a longer period. It can be challenging to hold side angle pose for 8-12 breaths using breath and bandha.
Hatha yoga is my favorite style of yoga because I have to explore my breath and the sensations of my body in the shapes in creating.


Unlike Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga is not a lineage of yoga. Vinyasa means order or placement. In Vinyasa you are continually moving or transitioning from pose to pose. Whereas hatha yoga you hold postures. The transitions are very strong, heating and smooth. Vinyasa yoga for the most part honer the sequencing principles of hatha yoga through more transition is incorporated.
Vinyasa yoga you are constantly moving. I believe students should have a strong hatha yoga background to safely, and effectively transition through the postures.


Both Hatha and Vinyasa yoga are similar because you will more than likely still be doing the same postures. Hatha yoga is more relaxing while Vinyasa yoga is more energizing. Both practices help with flexibility, strength, and focus on bring your body towards balances.


Which style of yoga do you enjoy the most and why? Comment below to share! ​

Today I want to talk to you about yoga and specifically how to stay motivated to practice yoga. I will be sharing my 5 tips that will help you stay on track. We all know how much better our body feels after we practice yoga. Starting a regular practice can be difficult and if we get off track with our practice it can be difficult sometimes to come back even for me! Check out my YouTube Video that goes with this post below.               
https://youtu.be/bU4P6xwHr9c        
              
1) Find Your Why 
Ask yourself why are you choosing to practice yoga? Let your why statement is more than"I want to lose weight", " I want to be more flexible/strong" or I want to learn headstand"  Think deeper than this,    For example, ask yourself what part of your yoga practice makes you feel good? What area of your body feels good after you practice? Chose a statement that is going to motivate you to practice. I don't practice to lose weight. I practice for my health. I know that when I practice yoga, my physical body feels more mobile and less stiff. I feel focused, energized, and more balanced.  This is what motivates me. Figure out what motivates you to practice and why you want to step on your mat. 

2) Set Mini-Goals/Start Slow
If you're just starting to attend public class or start a personal practice because you want to be "flexibility".  You can not just develop strength or flexibility overnight you have to continue to practice. Start by setting a small goal, for example, "I  will practice yoga 3 days out of the week and focus on postures that help with flexibility" or "On Thursday's I will practice a sequence that slowly helps me master headstand". Setting mini-goals will help you stay motivated to practice so you can receive wins along the way. You will see more progress and be excited about your wins. 

3) Find a yoga practice or teacher that you enjoy. 
Try the different yoga practices like Hatha, Hatha Flow, Yin, Restorative, Gentle or Vinyasa. This may be done through trial and error. Maybe you didn't like your first  Yin class try taking a yin class with a different teacher. You might just have a better class experience.  Maybe you have never tried vinyasa, who knows you might enjoy vinyasa more than Hatha yoga. Having a yoga teacher who supports you and encourages you to practice will help motivate you more to practice. Finding a style of yoga that you enjoy the most will keep you excited and motivated. 

4) Stay Accountable 
Keep a yoga journal to record your time of practice, and experiences. If you find yourself not practicing yoga journal asking yourself what is keeping you from your practice. You will see what is standing in the way of your practice and goals. Have a yoga buddy maybe this person practices with you. Don't have someone to attend practice?  Share your goals with a trusted friend or partner and ask them to check in with you occasionally to see if you're meeting your goals. Having someone who keeps you on track and makes you feel accountable to more than just yourself you will feel more motivated. 

5) Celebrate Your Victories 
Journaling after your practice helps you see your progress. If you are seeing progress celebrate your mini-goals rather that is practicing yoga once a week or three times a week, you were able to hold downward facing dog longer, or maybe you learned the prep for headstand. By celebrating mini-goals you will motivate and stay on track. 

How do you stay motivated to practice yoga? 

I am a pisces.  I'm writing this for my Leo suns! Leos are born between July 23 - August 22. They are the ruler of the sun. Leos get a bad reputation. People may say they are domineering, pretentious, stubborn, and conceited. That is not the case. My boyfriend and best friend are Leo suns. If you really know a Leo, then you know those things aren't true. Let me clear up the misconceptions about Leos.  

1. Leos are not self-centered 
They are ruled by the sun the only sign ruled by the sun. All the other planets revolve around the sun. Leos feel that they are the center. Because they are. Though they don't have me, me, me attitude. (lol, that's Aries ruler of the first house) Loes enjoy being in the center entertaining and making others laugh. They enjoy being around people who they love, and who also love them. They make good speakers and entertainers. 

2. Leo season is in the summer for a reason
Leos represent friendship, pleaser, and happiness. Their season falls in mid-summer when everyone is happy and carefree. Leos are happy and carefree. That might be what bugs you about them. I personally love that about them. Though they are also driven, and passionate about the things they love.  

3. They know how to enjoy the moment 
They know how to live in the moment, and they want to be happy in each moment. The moment they created was for them to enjoy. Leo strives to make their moments bright and exciting. Not just for them, but for you. When you are around a Leo they want you to have a good time, and have a smile on your face. 

4. They make you feel special
You will feel special around Leos. If you don't feel special around a Leo its because you're probably an anti-Leo. If you are a jerk to them, then they will treat you like a jerk. If you treat them good, they will treat you like one of their own. They will enjoy conversation with you and they won't walk away from you. They will ask you questions and be interested in what you have to say. Leos know how to make you feel like the center if you are on their good side. Give a Leo love, and they will give you love. 

5. They are good with children
Leos may say they don't like kids but that's not the case. They get along great with children. Leos love children because children remind them of the fun that they have living in the moment. Because children live in the moment they identify with them. 

6. They have all the hook up's
They don't know people, who know people, who know people. Leos know people. If you need something, hair stylist, car mechanic, equipment, where to get the best discounts, or whatever it is. They have the hookup. 


I think other signs just take things too seriously sometimes and act as if you have to be serious all the time. Sometimes you do have to take things seriously. Sometimes you have to look at Leo and just let things happen. You have to chose to be happy no matter what, and there is no better sign to teach you that than a Leo. Leos are the people you want in your life. 

That is why I love Leos. ​

​Drinking enough water keeps your body functioning at its highest capacity. Staying hydrated improves your physical performance, helps you lose weight, boosts your mood, prevents headaches, and protects you against disease. These are some tips to help you stay hydrated. 

1) Carry a reusable water bottle with you. 
A reusable water bottle is not only good for the environment it also helps you keep track of how much water you are drinking. Knowing the size of your bottle will help you track the number of times you refilled your bottle throughout the day. While reminding you to stay hydrated. 

2) Drink herbal tea throughout the day.
Caffeine can dehydrate you. But caffeine-free herbal tea is good to drink throughout the day to keep you hydrated. Hibiscus rose, or chamomile tea is great teas to keep you hydrated and calm. 

3) Set a reminder on your phone.
We keep our phones next to us all the time. Set a reminder every hour or two to remind you to drink water. Sometimes we forget to drink water especially when we're busy. Setting a reminder is helpful. 

4)  One for One.
Drink one glass of water for one alcoholic drink. This is my rule. This will likely reduce the risk of a hangover. Brain tissues are mostly made of water and dehydration shrinks the brain tissue resulting in headaches. 

What tips do you have for staying hydrated? 

Do you want to be more environmentally friendly but haven't had an idea of how to start? Being environmentally friendly means to live a lifestyle that is better for the environment. We can all take small steps to make our planet a better place, this is how. 

1. Turn It Off
Practice conservation. Turn off the off all lights when you leave the house. Unplug chargers, hair straighteners, curlers, etc. when they are not in use. Avoid leaving the water running. Conserving water reduces the amount of energy used to filter it. One easy way to conserve water is to take shorter showers. 

2. Stop Littering 
This is an easy way to keep the environment clean, and our planet looking beautiful. Use trash bins. Trash pollutes the air.

3. Recycle Everything
Before you throw something away, ask yourself, can this be recycled? You can recycle cardboard, paper, aluminum, plastic, glass, and more. Here are some recycling centers near you. Check their websites to find out what items the centers take. 

Belton- R & R Recycling www.randrrecycling.com
Temple- 2  Recycling Center www.ci.temple.tx.us/380/Recycling-Centers
Harker Heights- www.ci.harker-heights.tx.us/index.php/recycling-drop-center
Killeen- www.killeentexas.gov/312/Recycling-Center

4. Eat More Plant-Based Food
Meat-based diets promote the production of methane gas that instigates emissions the cause of global warming. You can preserve more natural resources. Eggs Meat and dairy require a large amount of our country's natural resources to make a profit. 

5. Use more eco-friendly products
Many cleaning products have harmful chemicals that aren't environmentally friendly to create nor dispose of. Green cleaning products contain more natural ingredients and are less harmful. 

6. Educate yourself and others
Start becoming aware of the resources you use daily. Notice how you choose to heat and coll your home. Educate others about the importance of living an environmentally friendly life. Share this link with someone you know. 
Take this quiz to see your carbon footprint. 
www.footprintcalculator.org/?fbclid=IwAR108pkA0Jy5xDr5VpVZF0h-gKcEZs4xpAD-PhTRttxayFyfWAytMfE1XY0

There are so many ways to have an environmentally friendly lifestyle. What advice do you have? 

     Yoga teacher training helped me create a pathway to myself through asana, pranayama, and meditation techniques. The techniques I learned showed me how to explore self and discover self.  Since birth, we search for our place in this world, what's wrong, what's right, who we are and what we have to offer. Yoga training gave me an idea of who I am and showed me what I have to offer. The training showed me how to understand myself, and the world I live in. It taught me to look within for the answers. We are always looking for self, and teacher training will show you the path to yourself if you let it.
    Not only did the yoga training show me how to experience self, but it also showed me my heart. When you practice yoga you practice vulnerability. I was challenged to open. The practices I experienced showed me the boundaries I build around my heart. These barries I build protected me, yet held me back from receiving love, giving love, and growing. Yoga showed me how to clear the boundaries I build out of fear so I could grow. I learned how to love myself and my body as I am without all the accessories. My heart opened. 
Yoga training showed me that I am more than just the container of my body and my mind. I'm not just a human floating around. I am a spiritual being having a human experience. There is more here than just the physical world. I learned that there is a greater force out there that cares deeply for me. Teacher training taught me how to connect with the divine through my practice and my daily experience by revealing my divine attributes. I saw how to see the light in the darkest of times, and the in of darkest people. I left yoga training with a new set of eyes and a different perspective of the world. 
   I learned various ways to take care of the container (my body) that holds my spirt. I developed skills to take care of not only my physical body but my mind.  Life throws shit at us daily. The skills I learned to support while dealing with the shit life throws at me. Yoga Training taught me what it means to be mindful. I learned the importance of discipline, diet, and what it means to live a healthy lifestyle. 
     Through the practice, I discovered what I have to offer to this world. I am here to teach people about their body and mind. I am here to guide people to their self and help them find balance. I am here to teach people how to find and share their unique gift to the world. I'm here to show people that they don't have to look outside themselves to find happiness. Yoga teacher training changed my life in many ways. I don't know who I would be today if I didn't take it. 

​   This is practice is ancient, rooted in Chinese medicine. Jade roller is a handheld massaging tool that you roll across your face in a sweeping motion. Jade rollers can reduce fine-lines, firm skin, decrease inflammation and increase circulation. 

   Your lymphatic system is apart of your immune system. Lymph fluid is fluid that contains infection-fighting white blood cells and works its way throughout the tissue and all over the body.  The lymph vessels attract toxins like bacteria and damaged cells. Fluid tends to accumulate in the tissues of the face and around the eyes. Jade roller works this fluid back into the system and reduces swelling. 

   The jade stone stands for longevity and eternal youth. It is a great stone for facial treatments. This stone has anti-aging effects. Jadestone has all the properties that you need to feel refreshed young and clean. 

Jade Rolling helps: 
-Reduce eye bags
-Relax facial muscles
-Fights signs of aging

Watch the video as I show you how to preform this beauty practice. 

Tips:
- Use your jade roller in the morning after you moisturize 
- Keep your jade roller in the fridge
-Watch the video on how to properly perform jade rolling. 

Check out my shop to purchase a jade roller just like mine! www.yogawithserena.com/shop.html

   ​Drinking matcha green tea is an ancient tradition in Japan. Buddhist and monks valued matcha for health reason and consumed the tea before meditation. Matcha comes from Tencha leaves that are protected from the sun producing a vibrate shade of green due to the amount of chlorophyll. The production of match ensures its sole flavor. These are some of the reason I drink matcha and why you should too. 

1. Caffeine
Who doesn't want to have high mental alertness? Matcha has 32 grams of caffeine. That is almost three times as much as regular green tea and contains about half the amount of caffeine than regular coffee. I start my day off with a big cup of matcha tea.

2. Mood Booster & Helps with Memory and Concentrations
I am Add/ADHD and have a difficult time keeping the attention and can be forgetful at times. Matcha contains amino acids called L-Theanine that produce serotonin and dopamine. Helping in enhancing your mood, memory, and concentration. 

3. Promotes Healthy Skin
This was one of the first benefits I discovered. Y'all know I experience occasional acne. Since I added matcha to my diet, I have noticed a decrease in breakouts. Matcha's rich antioxidants support skin health by reducing inflammation and helps with aging skin.

4. Weight Loss Aid
Matcha contains a high concentration of catechins which helps boost your metabolism and promote fat oxidation. 

5. Immune System Support
Matcha contains immune-boosting properties that help in fighting various bacterial, viral and fungal infections. 

 How to drink Matcha:  
Include matcha in your daily routine. I drink matcha in the morning and afternoon. Matcha is simple enough to add it into a smoothie or drink it on its own.  

My Matcha Latte
Ingredients 
1 Teaspoon of Japanese Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder 
(I use Budda Teas brand of Ceremonial Grade Matcha Power. You can find this in my shop!)
2/3 Cups of unsweetened Almond Milk or Milk of choice 
1/2 teaspoon of Honey or Sweetener of choice  
1 cup of hot water
Pumpkin spice (Optional) 

Tip: You can add other supplement powders in the blend as well such as collagen. 

1. In a blender add, milk, powder, honey or sweetener of choice and water in a blender. Blend until blended. 

2. Pour Matcha Latte in a cup and sprinkle on a little bit of pumpkin spice season on top for extra goodness. 

What's your favorite matcha brand and or recipe?