In yoga there is a belief that we are all aspects of one energy form. In Buddhism this oneness is sometimes depicted by Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. Avalokitesvara made a vow to stay on earth and help relieve all beings from suffering and if he was to ever become disheartened he would split into a thousand pieces. One day after deep meditation, he looked at the world and realized that he affected only a small portion of the population. In a dispirited state he shattered.When all his pieces were unified again Avalokitesvara had a thousand arms to help the world.
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 moreBrene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability
Here is a inspirational TEDTalk by Brene Brown a "researcher of story telling" that discussed the power of vulnerability. http://www.ted.com
The Cost of Self-Esteem
sun on hand gesture
The other day I had an anxiety dream: the kind of dream that played with my sense of worth by exposing me to a form of public shame. In my dream I was searching for ways to make me look reputable to other people. This anxiety dream clung to my skin reminding me that I must confront, release, or come to accept something occurring in my life. The practice of yoga is a practice of letting go.
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 moreThe Unexpected Paths of Life
With Yoga Bhoga Teacher Training beginning in a of couple weeks I am reminded of my own journey into teaching yoga. In many ways, I think teaching yoga is an extremely difficult job but I also believe it to the be the best job in the world. And a job I had no intention of ever doing. Never, not in even when I was to attending yoga class 6 days a week, did I fathom the idea that one day I would guide others through their own practice.
Read moreThe Serpentine Wave of Transformation
HP_MAR06_Bhujangasana_248
One of the most common poses in yoga class is bhujangasana, cobra pose. This heart opener promotes flexibility through the spine. When in full asana, the yoga practitioner embodies the magnificence of wide-hooded cobra. No matter if your cobra is a baby or fully-hooded, the serpentine movement required of bhujangasana will open you into the energy of the cobra. This serpent energy is perfect to embrace as we near the new year.
Read moreTaking Heart into the Matter
Just Love
Over the weekend I attended Meghan Maris’ Ethics of Yoga workshop. This workshop was a discussion of the yamas and niyamas, the moral codes in which to live by in action, thought, and word. What we think, how we act, and what we say are all bound by these codes of ethics so we can live a more thoughtful life and, in the process, create space for those around us to also live such a life.
Read moreWorking 9 to 5
Reflections on the September Yoga Challenge
gold stars
The little thrill a gold star brings is a fascinating phenomenon. Though I’m entirely too many years removed from those grade school days when gold stars were used to reward achievement, my inner child still giggles with glee at the prospect of seeing that shining symbol placed next to my name every time I attend a yoga class. It’s like a big hug, or a high-five. It is positive reinforcement with metallic, five-pointed brilliance – such a simple, yet perfect, idea for instilling some child-like excitement into a “get back to the mat” contest.
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