Tag Archives: yoga

Yoga and the art of surrender

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Love this quote ~ the idea of ‘surrender’ seems to be a concept that implies defeat and passivity but in the context of yoga, we learn surrender in deep, dreamless sleep and deep relaxation…but,  how many of us actually experience a sound slumber on a daily basis!? The best way to have a calm sleep is to be calm before bed, so taking a few moments to unwind your mind is a good idea. I would recommend the track, from my Yoga Mind cd called: The Essential Natural Breath. Nothing disturbed about it. Check it out or ask me for a private yoga class; step into your inner radiance and glow and grow

great quote on surrender

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yoga Posture Should Be Steady and Light

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This picture reminds me of Patanjali Sutra II.46: sthirasukhamasanam

We are a fitness culture, in the West, heavily focusing on the postural aspects of Yoga, sometimes pushing form over function.

shtira sukha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sanskrit word, asanam – “posture” is actually linked to the seated posture itself, preparatory for meditation and the deeper components of the yogic system.

In postures, we look for physical firmness, and stability but also, and above that, presence, lightness, attention and stillness. In order to maintain this balance, you need to find an alignment that allows you to maintain this – without excessive force and agitation, since the goal is really to be in a state of equipoise – sattva.

Structural yoga therapy starts with an evaluation of posture and postural alignment to bring about better balance in muscle tone as well as attitude shifts that come about through this new relationship to a body that can be transformed in ways that allow better range of motion. We are not looking for what is ‘wrong’ with anyone, rather, we seek to help the individual understand how their posture has come about through their interaction with thoughts, emotions, and physical demands.

Ultimately, awareness fosters growth. Look me up for a private yoga class 

The benefits of finding calm through Yoga

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“What makes the mind so powerful and difficult to ‘still’ is its rajasic impulse to do – to think about what to do, and about what to do about what it is thinking, and so on” ~ Doug Keller

Sometimes the body needs to do less as well.  What I love about restorative yoga is that it helps the mind settle as the body learns to let go into gravity. This prepares us for the sweet practices of yoga such as meditation and relaxation which help us so much in daily life.

The benefits of silence are numerous. Click HERE for the top 7 that come to mind and HERE to check out my cd, which will help you along the way.

If you typically think a lot during the physical practice of yoga, it could be that you haven’t quite got the right alignment information – so – I am available for private yoga classes to help you get in touch with the power of silence within. For now: food for thought: The benefits of finding calm through Yoga  are numerous and silence is stress relief…

silence is a place

Feeling Lighter After Yoga

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Had two students come up to me after yoga class (one with sciatica and one with back pain) and say they felt lighter and ready to “do stuff” so this photo seems appropriate. The average class actually may be asking you to overdo and over lengthen which can actually cause damage. While it seems like more is better with flexibility, this is not actually so. What I like about the Yapana® practice is that we don’t try to shout cues at people; we feel that the yoga mat is a place to take your muscles to school, sometimes retrain, sometimes rehab, sometimes repose – in other words, yogatherapy 🙂 …and it is a place to learn to relate to a spectrum of sensations. Then, having mastered the art of listening, to put into practice in your daily life…ahhh…there the benefits.  As always, I am available for private yoga classes to help you navigate your practice or learn ways to practice that will best suit you. And you can learn to relax  anytime with my Yoga Mind Cd (portable peacefullness)yoga = light

A yoga therapy breathing practice for joy

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celebrate what is rightThe breath is the link between the mind and the body; the key to finding the peace and joy that resides within. This is an exercise that anyone can do, you can do it at the end of your savasana, or meditation, or as a yoga break anytime.

Choose a comfortable set up for your practice. I have 3 different ones to choose from on my Yoga Mind cd. I was always told that palming the eyes creates a fresh perspective, it is also super important for our ‘staring into screens’ culture as it brings relaxation to the the eyes themselves as well as triggering a parasympathetic response in the nervous system.

Gently rub your palms together for about 15-30 seconds, feeling the warmth and visualizing it as healing energy.  Place your palms on the brow and cheekbones – as opposed to the sensitive eyeball area.  You can let the top throat pull up and back lightly and allow your head to be somewhat heavy into your hands. Tune into your breath, and let the thoughts and images fade into the palms as you feel the warmth from your breath passed back to you from the palms. Let your face feel hollow. When you are ready, let your eyes open from bottom to top and notice how you feel, how the breath feels. Focus in on any new sensations of release of tension, that is always a place of peace and joy.

If you would like any personal assistance, and to learn more breathing practices, I am available for workshops and private yoga classes

 

All you do is

 

YOGA FOR ALL

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LOL it seems everyone feels better with a little stretch in their day! Yoga is for everyone but not all practices suit everyone..BUT I hear people say they ‘stretched’ and my red flag goes off…is it an aligned movement? …did they stretch the belly of the muscle or tug at the insertions?…did they pull on the joints or stabilize.  Please consider that what may seem to ease you out in the moment may not be the best solution for longevity.  Consider that over-riding sensations of pain is not the way yoga practice is intended. The concept of ahimsa/kindness is central to an asana, and this means learning and appreciating that safety is key.  Pulling on a hamstring to try to yank yourself into flexibility is foolish.  If you are not sure, I am available for private yoga lessons because our bodies are unique and learning to see yourself helps determine what will be the practices that will be best for you…that is basically the key component to yoga therapy….and don’t forget, anyone can learn to breathe and reboot

yoga-it's catching on

Being Kind To Your Body Through Yoga

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“You have to learn how to listen to your body, going with it and not against it, avoiding all effort and strain and centering your attention on that very delicate point, the back of the waist (where the spine moves in two opposing directions). You will be amazed to discover that, if you are kind to your body, it will respond in an incredible way” ~ Vanda Scaravelli , Awakening The Spine

What a beautiful picture this is ~ flowers blossoming where the rib cage is and the pelvis mirrored as a butterfly. If we can learn, and I believe yoga therapy assists this, to open our body with mindful intentionality ~ whether that be with a well placed yoga prop, or just an acknowledgement that we don’t need to ‘attack’ asana, we get better results in the way of improved range of motion, ease and transformation of pain into peace.

Patience and perseverance matter as does practice (time and frequency)  Tissues will adapt according to the demands imposed on them.  That means any ‘stretch’ once a week probably won’t be sufficient  to counter the demands of the rest of the hours of the week.  Make sense? There is no fast track to flexibility, but this does not mean that all yoga therapy is ‘gentle’ however, it can be used as a treatment plan for a healthy and pain free body, or just for better performance in your daily life/sport etc.  Approach practice with kindness and you will be surprised at the benefits.

In reality, we are all individual and should be assessed and treated as such.   I’m available for private yoga classes to help you get on the right track for you.

the body as a miracle of nature

The Eight Limbs of Yoga

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The Eight Limbs of Yoga  : I love this photo! We often hear the label “ashtanga” – in fact the Sanskrit word for 8 is ashta …

People are often focused on one part of the system of Yoga, the physical (asana) but actually, there is more to it as you can see below, eight Limbs of Yoga.

Asana ~ I believe that the yoga mat is a great place to take your muscles to school, but you cannot do this without the breath (pranayama). The other limbs develop as you keep on practicing. Often there will be a shift in consciousness, and you begin to be able to harness the mind, build focus, concentration, and a meditative state that lasts outside of your physical practice.  Once this grows, and it will if you nourish it by observing healthier choices (niyamas) and it does, there is no real yoga unless you are cultivating kindness (and the other yamas).

Place yourself in the practice and you will see how it bears fruit, like a tree. In fact, this is why Yoga is used with this analogy.

If you would like to learn the eight limbs of yoga practice, I am available to private yoga lessons and my cd, Yoga Mind is a download away from bringing you on site relaxation and meditation among other great options

the eight limbs of yoga

A Yoga Practice Just For YOU

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An ongoing yoga practice is like a good friendship, nurturing. Poses should not be painful or scary ! When you move according to your own pace, practice can heal (yogatherapy) whether you are recovering from an injury or just have repetitive strain and stress which impede your movement.

I like this quote because to me YOGA is the highest form of self care.

Check out my fantastic blend between a yoga session and a massage called Yapana® Stretch One on One.  Or ~ I teach a balanced practice where we  build core strength and a supple body (flexibility plus joint stability).

With my background, I can show you how to find the pose with the body you have and stay safe and also learn the more subtle – because when you are not in a class, the tools of breathing and relaxing will sustain you.  In fact, you can use  my Yoga Mind Cd on its own or to accompany your other practices; so find my public yoga classes in Tenafly or I am available for private yoga classes.
give to yourself