We spoke with Camille Maybin, owner of Yoga Bin in Woodfin, about mindfulness and the ability to quiet the mind during yoga practice. We love Camilla and Yoga Bin and she shares some beautiful insight we just had to share with our followers!
What drew you to yoga practice and then ultimately to becoming a yoga instructor?
Yoga found me 4 years ago during my undergrad years. One of the things that I struggled with while being in college was severe stress and anxiety. In retrospect, I was a long-time loner and perfectionist. After my first class I found the physical aspect of the practice to be not as easy as I imagined. However, the true surprise was the sense of peace and joy I found.Β Which lead me to pursue a teaching certification in 2014. It then became my mission to share peace and joy with any and everyone, especially those whom have struggled with stress and anxiety!
What are three benefits that yoga has brought to your life through your practice?
My yoga practice teaches me to be patient, to embrace acceptance, and to meet myself without judgment. When I am able to provide myself with such a love I am then capable of extending the same love to someone else.
You and I talked about “getting out of ourselves/out of our heads” when we practice yoga, how would you describe this experience and what it means for you?
“Getting out of my head” simply means freeing myself from my on-going To-Do list, letting go of the previous hours that have come before the present moment, and releasing any inhibitions that hinder me from exploring Self love. When I “get out of my head” there is only room left to enjoy the moment.
How do you help your yogis apply the practice of mindfulness and meditation in your yoga classes?
I try to help my students apply the practice of mindfulness and meditation by beginning every class with a few moments of simply embracing their inhales and exhales. Creating a meditative space before a class allows them to welcome their intention for their practice, and to tune into the breath and body before a workout, reinforcing their commitment to love and nurture their body.
What are some ways people can start to incorporate mindfullness and meditation into their 2016 plans, particularly if they are new to these ideas?
Here are a few mindful-meditation tips to help bring in the New Year! Donβt feel that you need to fill up all your time with doing. Give yourself permission to take some time to simply be. Bring your awareness deeper within by closing the eyes, and when your mind wanders to thinking, gently bring it back to your breath. Take a couple of minutes to notice your breathing by bringing your awareness to the tip of the nose, where the outside world meets the inside world on the inhale and the exhale. Sense the flow of the breath, the rise and fall of your belly. Listen to your body and honor the messages which it will send you, and last but not least practice listening without judgment!
We encourage all our foot soakers to check out The Yoga Bin and take some time to meet yourself without judgment! Thank you Camille!
