Tag Archives: wisdom

modern yoga wisdom

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modern yoga wisdom

modern yoga wisdom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is my all-time favourite quote: “You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope” ~ Thomas Merton.

I think yoga practice helps us organize ourselves and perhaps teaches us about adaptability. One of my teachers once remarked that water is stronger than steel. Our minds usually want to be in charge, especially when we are faced with unknowns. It is easier said than done to embrace these moments with courage, faith and hope. How do we do that?  Sometimes just taking a few moments to relax the wandering mind will calm you down enough to see possibility. Try it by following some of my guided practices. In fact, before you begin, write down one situation where you are stuck – either mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Then take at least 20 minutes to do a relaxation practice. After you are finished, check in to see whether the situation is as acute or slightly diffused.

Yoga for movement

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Yoga for movement : This quote is so motivational! “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward”.

The way yoga fits into this quote for me is that, as a yoga therapist, I meet and teach a bouquet of students, all kinds of bodies, and all kinds of mindsets. I watch transformations and “ah-ha” moments. I believe that the less we chase a yoga pose, the more it evolves for us. I believe in stages and steps and that each place we are at is where we are supposed to be.The skills you learn in yoga practice are huge, and hugely transformational. People tell me they stand up straighter, they drive with more ease, walk with less pain.

Maybe you are one of the people who think you aren’t flexible enough. I hear this excuse a lot. Guess what? Gains can be made in terms of mobility and agility at any height, weight and age. Take the heart of this quote to your consciousness.

The beauty of using yoga as therapy is that there is always a “can” do whether you need to modify, or adapt, and then you can relax where you are. If you are not sure what this means, a private yoga lesson will clarify 🙂

yoga for movement

Word of the day – Ahimsa

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Word of the day – Ahimsa

Ahimsa is the first of 5 Yamas, or universal practices of Patanjali’s eightfold path of yoga and deals with one’s ethical standards and sense of integrity. Ahimsa focuses in on our behaviour and how we conduct ourselves in life. Much like the expression, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, this yama focuses on our behaviours and how we conduct ourselves off the yoga mat. There is a component that is integrated into practice time as well.

Ahimsa – Compassion for all living things

The word ahimsa translated, literally means not to injure or show cruelty to any creature or any person in any way. It is very common to hear the word, Ahimsa in conjunction with eating meat, however, it is more broad than that. It is also more than a lack of violence towards the self as adapted in yoga. We often, as teachers, try to steer students into navigating postures with ahimsa, following safe alignment and range of motion.

ahimsa

Ahimsa also means kindness, friendliness, and thoughtful, compassionate consideration of other people and things. Giving back the library book on time and in good condition you borrow for example.

The word implies doing our best to extend a friendly spirit. Today I was given a really warm welcome at Base gym NJ and it made me reflect on this. I am subbing at 9:00 am and surely the students were expecting another teacher, but they opened up to the Yapana® style and to me, so – thank you for showing me such kind welcoming!

 

 

Guru

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Guru – today’s blog will focus on the word, guru. If you do a google search for the word, even Wikipedia will tell you there are multiple uses or connotations. It is really interesting to see before you look up a word, what weight you already give it in your mind.

the guru

Traditionally, the meaning of the word, guru, is “teacher”, or “master. I have chosen this photo today because the imagery is beautiful at reminding us not to ignore our inner teacher, our inner guidance system.  Rolf Sovik says, “The guru is the living light that dispels the darkness of spiritual ignorance. The light is none other than the Self within us”.

Truly powerful words. We live in a very visual and digital age where so often the search for looking ‘right’ even in asana, takes precedence over how we feel in what we are doing. I say give up speed and go with mindful movement. I am a fan of explicit cues as a teacher, but also like to leave students with inquiries so that each student can find their yoga with their own navigation system as much as with good alignment and understanding that it is my job to provide.

yoga for everybody

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yoga for everybody:

This post is inspired by two things.  The first is by this photo. The second, is I recently met someone who said “this body is not meant to do yoga”. the comment made me a little sad that this person felt excluded from the entire eight limbed system of yoga because of the shape of the body this person lives in.

yoga for everybody

The Western culture very much identifies Yoga with the body. Yes, we do have one, live in one, and use it to move around in, so let us respect it and maintain it. I like how she expresses things up above. “Not all yoga poses are upside-down and pretzelly. They can be simple like this and still work their magic”.  I have heard before, “If you are breathing, you can do yoga”. I agree, and as a yoga therapist, I would say that most of the poses can be brought to you, whether through the use of strategically placed yoga props, or modifications, and substitutions. Breathing practices can also find you, as can visualizations, relaxations, and meditation. You can focus on your breath and do a simple joint opening series, and bring mindfulness into sitting at your desk. Not everything has to be bendy and fancy in order for you to be yoga. “All bodies are yoga bodies”. It is not a one-size fits all practice, your uniqueness can be respected and appreciated.

positive words for Wednesday

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Positive words for Wednesday: These positive thought are free. You become what you think so please take more than one inside your consciousness. Building an affirmation practice is simple. Choose one that resonates. Set yourself up for quiet sitting. I have some set up tips on my CD, along side with a very easy breath meditation. Once you are focused, that is, once the loudness of the thinking rain is quieted, use your affirmation like a mantra to build positivity and train your brain instead of being sidetracked by it or sabotaged. Really, when you think of all the thoughts you have, if you can’t get to a totally zen place in a quiet meditation, at least replace old and tired thoughts with positive words.

Eventually, the positive vibes will help you just BE, natural, comfortable and your best version of yourself. That is pretty good. Think I will hashtag this #WisdomWednesday. Join me.

positive words for Wednesday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Positive words for Wednesday: These positive thought are free:

I communicate with love

Every moment is a profound opportunity

Consider How Very Fortunate You Are

Give yourself the gift of being joyfully you

Complain less, breathe more

Be a part of life, not afraid of it

Make the choice to let go of negative thoughts

Let Be, Let Go, Let see, Let flow

You are a walking, breathing wonder

You have a beautiful soul

Give thanks for another day of loving

 

 

Using Your Yoga Practice To Connect With Yourself

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yoga practiceUsing Your Yoga Practice To Connect With Yourself

Stress induced illness and anxiety and muscle tightness can definitely be worked with through yoga practice:

 Yoga practice gives you a sense of connecting with yourself, by cultivating a strong body and calmly positive mind-set, even and especially during tough times..

Hatha yoga is the term used for the type of yoga practice where the mind is accessed, brought into focus and serenity, through the use of asanas. Sometimes this will or can be, a vigorous practice, other times it may be restorative yoga and other times, balanced. Whether you are practicing one-one, in a group, or on your own, the connection that takes place can be very subtle, as in getting the chance to hear your own instincts. “Serenity comes when you trade expectations for acceptance.” Being present with yourself in class is the best way to honour your body and its limitations. When you do this routinely, you build a sense of confidence and trust in yourself which is a pretty useful tool off the yoga mat as well.

Stress induced illness and anxiety and muscle tightness can definitely be worked with. If you are on the fence about starting, the patient progress you will make in a private yoga class is encouraging and may be just the ticket.

I found the divine within -Rumi

light within

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What a lovely affirmation !

Yoga Sutra 1.36 tells of the inner light within us all : visoka va jyotismati ~ mental stability also stems from serenity linked to luminous lucidity ~ Bounchaud

So for today, just let the light from the center of your heart radiate. You can also download my Golden Light Healing Relaxation practice for a full body-mind experience

light within

Satya = truthfulness

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Word of the day: Satya = truthfulness

the respect for truth encompasses different forms of communication (words, gestures, writing); “to thine own self be true”

and is defined in the Mahabharata (according to Bernard Bouanchaud in The Essence of Yoga) as “Truth should be told when agreeable, should be said agreeably, and truth should not be said that does harm; however, never lie to give pleasure”

I think taking some of the speed out of some aspect of your yoga practice and (in general) the day, keeps us honest, less impatient, less inclined to hurt ourselves or others.. Above all else, living mindfully keep us living in truthfulness as we cultivate a symbiosis between thoughts and actions.

To practice this, you may enjoy:  5 Minute Mindfulness Retreat and join me on Facebook and Twitter with #liveyouryoga

SATYA - truth

Is your Yoga Practice Balanced?

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In case you missed it, here is a link to my last post for Yoga Travel Tree, titled : “Too Much of a Good Thing: Can You do Too Much yoga?”

I always take the approach that yoga is a system, with different components – eight limbs. Any kind of physical practice should feel like it is opening you, not yanking or pulling or compressing. And breathing – whole category! Please check out my cd, YOGA MIND for tips on how to set up and some complete practices that can accompany you. As for developing focus and other side benefits, they evolve like wisdom. Nothing like private yoga class instruction though, very different from group !

yoga is apractice