To the uninitiated, yoga may seem like little more than a way to contort the body into unnatural poses. But in actuality, the poses are just a very small aspect of what is essentially a full-spectrum spiritual practice. Breathing is the key component, and asana, or poses, represent only a single fraction of the whole piece that is yoga. Breath awareness is called pranayama.
Read moreThe Asana of Our Physical Nature
n our physical body we experience the world. In our body we make love, hug a friend, fidget, get mad, anxious or stressed. In our body we feel a breeze, swim in the ocean, sing, laugh, dance and cry. In our body we repress emotions, hold tension, hate ourselves and love others. Although our body is the vehicle in which our spirit experiences the world, there continues to be ongoing discussion regarding Western yoga as a purely physical practice, or posture (asana) focused. I feel we need the physical practice to build the strength and flexibility to be able to withstand the nuances and complexities that are life.
Read moreYoga Soup For the Soul
floatingyoga
When I was eighteen years old, yoga was an attractive physical practice to me for many reasons. It appeared to be the perfect balance between my two favorite things in the world; throwing my body around the stage during rehearsals, and would also wake up early in the morning to get my heart rate up by jogging through the neighborhood right before the sun rose that by the end of my school day my body was so worked my limbs felt like Jello. I needed something strengthening, toning, integrative, and creative. I loved dance but I knew I wasn’t going to be able to do it forever, and running was my current voyager, until I landed in my first Bikram class in 2004.
Read moreSavasana: A Journey into Shame, Surrender, and Spirit
There is a Hindu myth where Ganesha attends a lavish dinner party hosted by Kubera, the Lord of Wealth. In this story Kubera throws extravagant parties to display his riches. The elephant-headed Ganesha eats the meal and is unsatisfied. Ganesha asks for more, then more and more until Kubera is out of food. Ganesha proceeds to eat the tableware, linens, furniture, and walls. Kubera panics and summons Shiva for help.
Read moreSavasana: The Shifting of Yourself
In my practice, I often hear teachers say savasana (corpse pose), is the most important, and most difficult, pose.
Read moreYoga: A Universal Path
Yoga states that whatever brings us closer to our essential nature should be used as an aid. Because many of us perceive duality, using uplifting objects to meditate or concentrate on can be useful.
Read moreThe Importance of Puranic Literature
The rishis understood that the less evolved individuals could not understand the scriptures so they began to pass the knowledge of the Vedas down in the form of myths and legends that are known as the Puranas.
Read moreThe Philosophy and Aim of Yoga
Even after a short period of practicing yogasanas, something about the practice intrigues us and we find ourselves coming back for more.
Read moreAdvanced Hatha For 2012
Over the next twelve months, Meghan Maris will be posting in the Yoga Bhoga blog to expand on the topics covered in her Hatha classes. This is a view to explore the topics covered in class in more depth. Students can choose to follow the blog postings from class to class or simply read particular topics that interest them. In the month of January, Meghan will introduce the concept of Yoga, its philosophy and aim. There will be a few questions at the end of each blog that allow the student to reflect and apply critical thinking. Yoga teaches us to never accept the teachings blindly. We learn from our teachers’ direct experience, but it is essential we then apply that knowledge to our own practice and come to our own conclusions. Meghan will offer different insights, both practical and theoretical, for expanding the practice beyond the mat as well as suggested further reading.
The month's work will come to its conclusion on the last Tuesday of the month in the 2 hour Advanced Hatha Yoga Class from 7:30-9:30.