CD- Kirtana by Robert Gass
On Wings Of Song
The music is put together by Spring Hill Music.
Tina taught a wonderful Yoga Relax & Renew class this past Friday and we so enjoyed the music, that she wanted to post the info for everyone!!
Peace!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Ashtanga and Anusara Yoga ~ From Jeanne Ann
Question: What’s the difference between Ashtanga and Anusara Yoga?
I’m reminded of something one of my acupuncture teachers said once: “ If you keep practicing, regardless of what style you’ve been trained in, at some point you’ll be doing your own style of acupuncture.” To a beginner this was a scary idea--who am I to be creating something new? And what if I like feeling protected by identification with a style?--but over time I’ve come to see that it’s a fundamental truth: even as we learn from others and honor our teachers and traditions, each of us is inevitably creating something absolutely unique as our lives and experience and understanding unfold according to our unique dharma. And as the Bhagavad Gita tells us, it’s better to do our own dharma imperfectly than someone else’s perfectly!
This is my preface to addressing different styles of yoga. So much practice has been done by so many dedicated yogis over such a long period of time, and out of that have emerged traditions, lineages, and styles of practice. Each style represents someone’s (or a group of someones’) insights and understanding of yoga practice, often building on insights of prior generations. Every style by necessity focuses on some things, and is less focused on other things. Each style is worthy of respect and honor. Ultimately each of us chooses what resonates for us, perhaps from a variety of traditions, and makes it our own--for our own discovery and enjoyment. Even for those of us who feel totally at home in one particular style of yoga, it can be a stimulating experience to explore other approaches to practice, and it just may enhance our own in unexpected ways.
Anusara Yoga is a style that was established in 1997 by John Friend, after many years of study, teaching and leadership within the Iyengar Yoga tradition. Anusara Yoga reflects both this central focus on alignment that it shares with the Iyengar method, and also the Tantric philosophy of John’s meditation path (Siddha Yoga). Anusara Yoga is deeply grounded in a Tantric philosophy of the intrinsic goodness of life and each person, and each class has a heart-oriented theme that aims to inspire students to perform each pose “from the inside out,” with a constant awareness of the grander spiritual purposes of yoga.
Anusara Yoga has a concise system of alignment principles known as the Universal Principles of Alignment--“Universal” because they all apply in every pose. For me, the Principles of Alignment are like a treasure map that helps us explore and open the body and heart to a greater flow of prana/shakti/life force. I think this opening and enlivening influx of shakti is what creates the transforming and empowering effect that yoga has had on so many of us and our students. Also, working with a clearly articulated set of principles brings great clarity and independence in practice, helping students answer their own questions--for instance, when you come up against the kind of question like “What am I supposed to be doing with my back leg in this pose?”
So back to the question of differences: Although my experience of Ashtanga Yoga is somewhat limited, I think of it having a strong focus on naturalistic flow--moving at the speed of "normal" movement--through vinyasa, moving with the breath, and generating internal heat. My Anusara Inspired* classes will move less quickly, though still moving with the breath, but often with more time spent in individual asanas to explore a particular alignment focus or dynamic. I think of it like cranking a microscope down a power or two to look and feel at a greater level of detail, or of slowing down a movie to allow more analysis of what’s happening in individual frames. An Anusara style practice can be as strenuous as a practitioner wants, but Intro level classes will tend to focus on basics--one person described this as "We make the easy things hard so the hard things will be easy." My experience has definitely borne this out--after focusing on "basics" I have returned to challenging poses with a new level of ease, even though I hadn't been practicing those particular poses at all. Alignment insights, once integrated into our bodies, become available to us more quickly in a faster-paced practice or in everyday movement.
Over the six weeks, I’ll introduce the fundamentals of the philosophical context and alignment method as expressed in basic yoga asanas--most of which will be familiar to Ashtanga students, though there may be some small variations. There are no set sequences in the Anusara Yoga style--each teacher creates each class “from scratch,” but there are principles of sequencing that are used so that each student can move safely through a range of poses, and progress from more basic to more complex variations. Modifications, props, verbal and hands-on adjustments, and demonstrations are all used as needed. The course can serve as an introduction to further exploration of the Anusara style, an opportunity for a few alignment epiphanies to bring back to your current practice, or just a taste of a different flavor from the wide world of yoga!
*”Anusara Inspired” is a registered designation for teachers who have completed a certain level of training but are not yet fully Anusara Certified. I am, however, Certified as a Hatha Yoga Teacher, and Registered with the Yoga Alliance as well as being registered as an Anusara Inspired teacher.
~Jeanne Ann
I’m reminded of something one of my acupuncture teachers said once: “ If you keep practicing, regardless of what style you’ve been trained in, at some point you’ll be doing your own style of acupuncture.” To a beginner this was a scary idea--who am I to be creating something new? And what if I like feeling protected by identification with a style?--but over time I’ve come to see that it’s a fundamental truth: even as we learn from others and honor our teachers and traditions, each of us is inevitably creating something absolutely unique as our lives and experience and understanding unfold according to our unique dharma. And as the Bhagavad Gita tells us, it’s better to do our own dharma imperfectly than someone else’s perfectly!
This is my preface to addressing different styles of yoga. So much practice has been done by so many dedicated yogis over such a long period of time, and out of that have emerged traditions, lineages, and styles of practice. Each style represents someone’s (or a group of someones’) insights and understanding of yoga practice, often building on insights of prior generations. Every style by necessity focuses on some things, and is less focused on other things. Each style is worthy of respect and honor. Ultimately each of us chooses what resonates for us, perhaps from a variety of traditions, and makes it our own--for our own discovery and enjoyment. Even for those of us who feel totally at home in one particular style of yoga, it can be a stimulating experience to explore other approaches to practice, and it just may enhance our own in unexpected ways.
Anusara Yoga is a style that was established in 1997 by John Friend, after many years of study, teaching and leadership within the Iyengar Yoga tradition. Anusara Yoga reflects both this central focus on alignment that it shares with the Iyengar method, and also the Tantric philosophy of John’s meditation path (Siddha Yoga). Anusara Yoga is deeply grounded in a Tantric philosophy of the intrinsic goodness of life and each person, and each class has a heart-oriented theme that aims to inspire students to perform each pose “from the inside out,” with a constant awareness of the grander spiritual purposes of yoga.
Anusara Yoga has a concise system of alignment principles known as the Universal Principles of Alignment--“Universal” because they all apply in every pose. For me, the Principles of Alignment are like a treasure map that helps us explore and open the body and heart to a greater flow of prana/shakti/life force. I think this opening and enlivening influx of shakti is what creates the transforming and empowering effect that yoga has had on so many of us and our students. Also, working with a clearly articulated set of principles brings great clarity and independence in practice, helping students answer their own questions--for instance, when you come up against the kind of question like “What am I supposed to be doing with my back leg in this pose?”
So back to the question of differences: Although my experience of Ashtanga Yoga is somewhat limited, I think of it having a strong focus on naturalistic flow--moving at the speed of "normal" movement--through vinyasa, moving with the breath, and generating internal heat. My Anusara Inspired* classes will move less quickly, though still moving with the breath, but often with more time spent in individual asanas to explore a particular alignment focus or dynamic. I think of it like cranking a microscope down a power or two to look and feel at a greater level of detail, or of slowing down a movie to allow more analysis of what’s happening in individual frames. An Anusara style practice can be as strenuous as a practitioner wants, but Intro level classes will tend to focus on basics--one person described this as "We make the easy things hard so the hard things will be easy." My experience has definitely borne this out--after focusing on "basics" I have returned to challenging poses with a new level of ease, even though I hadn't been practicing those particular poses at all. Alignment insights, once integrated into our bodies, become available to us more quickly in a faster-paced practice or in everyday movement.
Over the six weeks, I’ll introduce the fundamentals of the philosophical context and alignment method as expressed in basic yoga asanas--most of which will be familiar to Ashtanga students, though there may be some small variations. There are no set sequences in the Anusara Yoga style--each teacher creates each class “from scratch,” but there are principles of sequencing that are used so that each student can move safely through a range of poses, and progress from more basic to more complex variations. Modifications, props, verbal and hands-on adjustments, and demonstrations are all used as needed. The course can serve as an introduction to further exploration of the Anusara style, an opportunity for a few alignment epiphanies to bring back to your current practice, or just a taste of a different flavor from the wide world of yoga!
*”Anusara Inspired” is a registered designation for teachers who have completed a certain level of training but are not yet fully Anusara Certified. I am, however, Certified as a Hatha Yoga Teacher, and Registered with the Yoga Alliance as well as being registered as an Anusara Inspired teacher.
~Jeanne Ann
Saturday, December 15, 2007
What is Meditation? Why do it?
For my part, defining meditation is pretty simple. To meditate is to bring awareness to experience. For many, it helps to start by taking an action to still the body. For others, this is not initially possible or available as an idea, so they will start with meditation in movement, such as yoga posture practice, tai chi or walking meditation. As an option, some people add some additional action at some times, to actively develop or even undo a particular element of being or experience. Examples of this would be repeating a mantra, concentrating on one object of experience, praying a rosary or saying phrases silently.
There are so many reasons why different people undertake some kind of meditation practice, so it’s difficult to answer this so succinctly. Let’s start by saying that all reasons are perfect. They are perfect because they signal an intention to be with what’s happening in a different way, a very effective way, in my experience. They are also perfect because all reasons somehow signal that faith is present, faith that change is possible and that effort can be taken to begin to effect change.
What sort of changes are people imagining might come out of meditation? Some changes might feel very practical, such as developing concentration for use in performance or bringing some attention to a behavior one may wish to break through, like anger. Some desired changes might feel more overarching, such as greater peace of mind. For many, a meditation practice accompanies a spiritual leaning. Maybe it’s felt that meditation will bring us closer to relationship with the divine, or a personal experience of divinity.
Notice, fellow yogis, that you can substitute “yoga practice” for “meditation practice” throughout what I say here and it works very fine!
In the practice of yoga, meditation is seen as a means for revealing to the yogi what is true. This truth business, as with much of yoga practice, works at multiple levels. At first, what becomes available as a newly seen truth may be something like “I didn’t realize how stiff my hips are” or “it turns out I’m pretty competitive, which I see by how I find myself comparing my meditation experience to how that guys’ sounded.” These truths can be accompanied by additional thoughts, judging ourselves, making resolves to change this or that behavior, etc. So our learning here begins to inform our life and inspire change right away. Mission accomplished! For some this can be the fulfillment of practice. This is very beneficial for such a person, and for all of us who know and interact with them, and therefore for the whole world by real association.
As we continue to settle into a meditation practice, truths will continue to present themselves. It seems very important to mention here that these truths may not match up very well with the original agenda. For instance, we may have undertaken meditation as a way to develop peace of mind. And after a short while, we may see that what is present here is a whole lotta NOT peace of mind. Maybe instead there are lots of judgment thoughts or anger thoughts or random-constant-movement mind or boredom mind or etc. It may appear daunting, if not impossible, to turn this around into anything resembling peace.
This is a very important juncture, and it brings us back to the original what and why of meditation. The practice is to bring awareness to experience, not to the experience we want to have or wish we were having or believe the blissful-looking gal is having or the one we had yesterday, but to this experience right here and now. So now we are invited to see beyond some original desire for acquiring a certain state or skill, to recall the original measure of faith and to allow this process to unveil what it will. Can we see this truth as it arises and even re-arises? Or do we stop when what is revealed becomes too uncomfortable or undesirable, or seems to be outside of the realm of the original intention? These are questions to keep in your back pocket as you proceed, with hopes that you’ll remember to take them out and review them when they’re most needed.
In many spiritual traditions of the world, the great transcendent truths are said to be available through the practice of silence and looking deeply at what is revealed thereby. This is certainly taught by the long-standing lineage of gurus and teachers of yoga. Patanjali, the great teacher and author of the Classical Yoga sutras, describes the goal of yoga/meditation as the possibility of a permanent state of being where awareness alone persists with the body/mind, and all belief in, and action as, a limited self falls away. Other traditions might refer to this as enlightenment or total awakening. This is a great topic all by itself for another post, so I will hold you in some suspense!
Nevertheless, I will close by giving away the ending in a way: just remember that every time you say “namaste” to your mat neighbor, you are in effect saying to your friend:
The complete, utter, selfless awakeness that I know I am sees the same awakeness in you; how tremendously sweet to meet my self like this!
Maybe go try that out in the mirror, right now, and let me know what happens! Really!
Cheer, Blessings, Namaste to you all! Love, Margaret
There are so many reasons why different people undertake some kind of meditation practice, so it’s difficult to answer this so succinctly. Let’s start by saying that all reasons are perfect. They are perfect because they signal an intention to be with what’s happening in a different way, a very effective way, in my experience. They are also perfect because all reasons somehow signal that faith is present, faith that change is possible and that effort can be taken to begin to effect change.
What sort of changes are people imagining might come out of meditation? Some changes might feel very practical, such as developing concentration for use in performance or bringing some attention to a behavior one may wish to break through, like anger. Some desired changes might feel more overarching, such as greater peace of mind. For many, a meditation practice accompanies a spiritual leaning. Maybe it’s felt that meditation will bring us closer to relationship with the divine, or a personal experience of divinity.
Notice, fellow yogis, that you can substitute “yoga practice” for “meditation practice” throughout what I say here and it works very fine!
In the practice of yoga, meditation is seen as a means for revealing to the yogi what is true. This truth business, as with much of yoga practice, works at multiple levels. At first, what becomes available as a newly seen truth may be something like “I didn’t realize how stiff my hips are” or “it turns out I’m pretty competitive, which I see by how I find myself comparing my meditation experience to how that guys’ sounded.” These truths can be accompanied by additional thoughts, judging ourselves, making resolves to change this or that behavior, etc. So our learning here begins to inform our life and inspire change right away. Mission accomplished! For some this can be the fulfillment of practice. This is very beneficial for such a person, and for all of us who know and interact with them, and therefore for the whole world by real association.
As we continue to settle into a meditation practice, truths will continue to present themselves. It seems very important to mention here that these truths may not match up very well with the original agenda. For instance, we may have undertaken meditation as a way to develop peace of mind. And after a short while, we may see that what is present here is a whole lotta NOT peace of mind. Maybe instead there are lots of judgment thoughts or anger thoughts or random-constant-movement mind or boredom mind or etc. It may appear daunting, if not impossible, to turn this around into anything resembling peace.
This is a very important juncture, and it brings us back to the original what and why of meditation. The practice is to bring awareness to experience, not to the experience we want to have or wish we were having or believe the blissful-looking gal is having or the one we had yesterday, but to this experience right here and now. So now we are invited to see beyond some original desire for acquiring a certain state or skill, to recall the original measure of faith and to allow this process to unveil what it will. Can we see this truth as it arises and even re-arises? Or do we stop when what is revealed becomes too uncomfortable or undesirable, or seems to be outside of the realm of the original intention? These are questions to keep in your back pocket as you proceed, with hopes that you’ll remember to take them out and review them when they’re most needed.
In many spiritual traditions of the world, the great transcendent truths are said to be available through the practice of silence and looking deeply at what is revealed thereby. This is certainly taught by the long-standing lineage of gurus and teachers of yoga. Patanjali, the great teacher and author of the Classical Yoga sutras, describes the goal of yoga/meditation as the possibility of a permanent state of being where awareness alone persists with the body/mind, and all belief in, and action as, a limited self falls away. Other traditions might refer to this as enlightenment or total awakening. This is a great topic all by itself for another post, so I will hold you in some suspense!
Nevertheless, I will close by giving away the ending in a way: just remember that every time you say “namaste” to your mat neighbor, you are in effect saying to your friend:
The complete, utter, selfless awakeness that I know I am sees the same awakeness in you; how tremendously sweet to meet my self like this!
Maybe go try that out in the mirror, right now, and let me know what happens! Really!
Cheer, Blessings, Namaste to you all! Love, Margaret
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Standing on your own two feet
The exploration of how we use our feet speaks to issues of security, self-support, and self-sufficiency. In the physical world, the ground is our ultimate support and it is through our feet and legs that we experience that support. Independence requires support. Without the support of the ground, our legs would be useless. Independence does not mean that we cannot depend on anyone else. On the contrary, we need stability in order to receive support, In what ways do you stand on your own two feet? In what ways do you “take a stand”? In your desire to be independent, do you still allow support? A firm foundation underneath us allows an integration of independence and support and lets us better under-stand whatever we are dealing with.
Namaste
~Beth
Namaste
~Beth
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Mary Oliver Poem
WHEN DEATH COMES
When death comes like the hungry bear in autumn;
When death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse to buy me,
And snaps the purse shut;
When death comes like the measles-pox;
When death comes like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
What is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everything as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
And I look upon time as no more than an idea,
And I consider eternity as another possibility,
And I think of each life as a flower, as common as a field daisy, and as singular,
And each name a comfortable music in the mouth tending as all music does, toward silence,And each body a lion of courage, and something precious to the earth.
When its over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it is over, I don’t want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened, or full of argument.
I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.
~ Mary Oliver
When death comes like the hungry bear in autumn;
When death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse to buy me,
And snaps the purse shut;
When death comes like the measles-pox;
When death comes like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
What is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everything as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
And I look upon time as no more than an idea,
And I consider eternity as another possibility,
And I think of each life as a flower, as common as a field daisy, and as singular,
And each name a comfortable music in the mouth tending as all music does, toward silence,And each body a lion of courage, and something precious to the earth.
When its over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it is over, I don’t want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened, or full of argument.
I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.
~ Mary Oliver
Class Passes on Sale - Holiday Special
IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN ~ CLASS PASSES ON SALE
(November 22nd – December 24th)
5 class pass: regular $59; sale $50
10 class pass: regular $109; sale $100
20 class pass: regular $199; sale $190
Stock up on your class passes.... remember, class passes:
expire one year after date of purchase
can be shared with family & friends
have one (or two -for 20 cp) free class(es) for you to bring a new student, someone who's never been to LY before
are non-refundable
(November 22nd – December 24th)
5 class pass: regular $59; sale $50
10 class pass: regular $109; sale $100
20 class pass: regular $199; sale $190
Stock up on your class passes.... remember, class passes:
expire one year after date of purchase
can be shared with family & friends
have one (or two -for 20 cp) free class(es) for you to bring a new student, someone who's never been to LY before
are non-refundable
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Asana focus for weeks 3 & 4
Week 3: Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana (seated half bound lotus forward bend)
Trianga Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana (one leg back, seated forward bend)
Janu Sirsasana A-C (seated knee to head)
Week 4: Marichyasana A-D
Over time as I considered correct pronounciation of Sanskrit, I have time and time again seen information on Manorama. See the following link for her website with info on CDs available to assist with pronounciation. At some point I will research this more and will probably buy some CDs/see where she is conducting workshops, to further my own study on this topic. Please share any resources you find. http://www.sanskritstudies.org/About/About_Manorama.html
See you Monday!
~Maureen
Trianga Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana (one leg back, seated forward bend)
Janu Sirsasana A-C (seated knee to head)
Week 4: Marichyasana A-D
Over time as I considered correct pronounciation of Sanskrit, I have time and time again seen information on Manorama. See the following link for her website with info on CDs available to assist with pronounciation. At some point I will research this more and will probably buy some CDs/see where she is conducting workshops, to further my own study on this topic. Please share any resources you find. http://www.sanskritstudies.org/About/About_Manorama.html
See you Monday!
~Maureen
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Second Session of LYTT/DYP
Hello all. Glad to be back together - starting another session. The Bhagavad Gita books are in and although we won't use them until Session III, it's worth having them in advance to get started. We will discuss the History of Yoga on the all day as well as a more in depth discussion on the NiYamas -- the second limb of Ashtanga Yoga.
See link for 8 limbs info: http://www.livingyoganh.com/eightlimbs.htm
See you Monday.
Peace,
~Maureen
See link for 8 limbs info: http://www.livingyoganh.com/eightlimbs.htm
See you Monday.
Peace,
~Maureen
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Refine Your Practice, Inversions and Yoga Nidra
Here is the info I said I would post:
Benefits of Inversions:
An inversion refers to any posture or position that places the head below the heart. The reversal of gravity's effects helps to take pressure off the heart, decompress the spine, improve circulation, stimulate the endocrine system - and just make people feel good. Handstands, in particular, strengthens the shoulders, arms, and wrists, stretch the abdomen, increase balance, calm the brain and help relieve stress and mild depression.
I'll leave it at that for now.... with Google, Blogs, etc... you can search and explore this to whatever depth you would like, depending on your questions and where your practice is at.
Yoga Nidra:
Yoga is union or one-pointed awareness and Nidra is the Sanskrit word for sleep, that is sleep where the conscious mind is asleep and awareness remains active.
In Yoga Nidra, the state of relaxation is reached by practicing Pratyahara (turning inward), the 5th limb of yoga, moving away from outer experiences. When consciousness is separated from external awareness and from standard sleep, it can be very powerful and can be applied in many ways, for example, to develop memory, increase knowledge and creativity, or transform one’s nature.
Yoga Nidra also induces complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. Adherents claim that half an hour of Yoga Nidra can replace up to three hours of normal sleep, although its regular use as a sleep substitute is not recommended as the body and mind still requires sufficient rest through standard sleep.
Enjoy!!
Benefits of Inversions:
An inversion refers to any posture or position that places the head below the heart. The reversal of gravity's effects helps to take pressure off the heart, decompress the spine, improve circulation, stimulate the endocrine system - and just make people feel good. Handstands, in particular, strengthens the shoulders, arms, and wrists, stretch the abdomen, increase balance, calm the brain and help relieve stress and mild depression.
I'll leave it at that for now.... with Google, Blogs, etc... you can search and explore this to whatever depth you would like, depending on your questions and where your practice is at.
Yoga Nidra:
Yoga is union or one-pointed awareness and Nidra is the Sanskrit word for sleep, that is sleep where the conscious mind is asleep and awareness remains active.
In Yoga Nidra, the state of relaxation is reached by practicing Pratyahara (turning inward), the 5th limb of yoga, moving away from outer experiences. When consciousness is separated from external awareness and from standard sleep, it can be very powerful and can be applied in many ways, for example, to develop memory, increase knowledge and creativity, or transform one’s nature.
Yoga Nidra also induces complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. Adherents claim that half an hour of Yoga Nidra can replace up to three hours of normal sleep, although its regular use as a sleep substitute is not recommended as the body and mind still requires sufficient rest through standard sleep.
Enjoy!!
Anatomy Book
LYTT/DYP group....
Karen found this book and Jenn Chase also told me about it. Beth and I will review to see if we will use this, in addition to or in place of the anatomy book we planned to use.
"Yoga Anatomy: Your illustrated guide to Postures, Movements, and Breathing Techniques" by Leslie Kaminoff on Amazon.
See you a week from tomorrow!!
Karen found this book and Jenn Chase also told me about it. Beth and I will review to see if we will use this, in addition to or in place of the anatomy book we planned to use.
"Yoga Anatomy: Your illustrated guide to Postures, Movements, and Breathing Techniques" by Leslie Kaminoff on Amazon.
See you a week from tomorrow!!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
living yoga on and off the mat
Hi all!!
In our all day session on October 13th, we will discuss Yamas and living yoga on and off the mat. What does that look like? What does it feel like? Use all the senses to explore this.
Also, reminder to journal about your personal code of ethics for teaching and/or practicing yoga!
Here is one of my favorite quotes, thanks to Beth for bringing this quote to my attention. It's from Marianne Williamson. In yoga we tend to move away from readings/quotes that mention God in respect to different cultures and beliefs. One of the NiYamas is Isvara Pranidhana – faith/trust in a higher being. In some yoga sutra tranlations, it reads 'trust in God'. So, as we do with the sutras or other readings, if your 'higher being' is not God, please substitute that with what it represents for you. We will talk more about this in Session II when we study the NiYamas.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Shine on!!
~Maureen
In our all day session on October 13th, we will discuss Yamas and living yoga on and off the mat. What does that look like? What does it feel like? Use all the senses to explore this.
Also, reminder to journal about your personal code of ethics for teaching and/or practicing yoga!
Here is one of my favorite quotes, thanks to Beth for bringing this quote to my attention. It's from Marianne Williamson. In yoga we tend to move away from readings/quotes that mention God in respect to different cultures and beliefs. One of the NiYamas is Isvara Pranidhana – faith/trust in a higher being. In some yoga sutra tranlations, it reads 'trust in God'. So, as we do with the sutras or other readings, if your 'higher being' is not God, please substitute that with what it represents for you. We will talk more about this in Session II when we study the NiYamas.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Shine on!!
~Maureen
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
BANDHA BLOG from Beth
I can't stress enough the importance of approaching this practice of shaping the breath with a sense of exploration, curiosity and playfulness.
Movement very literally begins in the mind as an image guiding movement. (Thanks Rachel for your question about visualization). Effort to change movement inevitably leads to a distortion of the intended pattern. I look at the more advanced and subtle aspects of this internal practice of Banhdas not as something to gage my own performance against but as a context in which to explore the internal experience in my practice. In other words, forget about the idea of "getting it" or "not getting it".
Along this vein, I love these words from David Swenson:
"There is no end to the refinement of practice. Yoga has no limit or finality. Rather, the greater the depth of knowledge obtained, the greater the understanding that there is infinitely more to know."
Share your visualizations!
Beth
Movement very literally begins in the mind as an image guiding movement. (Thanks Rachel for your question about visualization). Effort to change movement inevitably leads to a distortion of the intended pattern. I look at the more advanced and subtle aspects of this internal practice of Banhdas not as something to gage my own performance against but as a context in which to explore the internal experience in my practice. In other words, forget about the idea of "getting it" or "not getting it".
Along this vein, I love these words from David Swenson:
"There is no end to the refinement of practice. Yoga has no limit or finality. Rather, the greater the depth of knowledge obtained, the greater the understanding that there is infinitely more to know."
Share your visualizations!
Beth
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Global Mala
Check the link for photos from Saturday's Global Mala event.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmillernh/sets/72157602114621330/
Thanks to all that participated.
Peace,
~Maureen
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mmillernh/sets/72157602114621330/
Thanks to all that participated.
Peace,
~Maureen
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Breathing Blog from Beth
In the practice of Yoga we move from the gross to the subtle. We move from the outward expressions of the practice to the inward expressions of the practice: Drishti, Breath, Bandhas. Through these unseen parts of the practice, our postures become about moving energy rather than using muscular effort. Yoga becomes a way of expanding the ability to know our own mind and a way to open to the tremendous sensory information within our own body.
We all must start with the most gross aspects of the Ujjayi breath, breathing through the nose, lengthening the breath like a whispering from the back of the throat. Once we can stay with these aspects of Ujjayi, we are ready to begin to experience the breath as the movement of Prana, the ubiquitous life force energy that rides on the breath. Our attention then resides with the direction of movement of the air we are exchanging from within us and around us rather than primarily with what we are "doing" with the outer movements of the body. This is the beginning of articulating the deeper parts of our selves both mentally and physically. We begin literally to know where we are in space from the inside out.
I invite you all to explore this in your asana practice or simply sitting and breathing and share your experience with the group on our BLOG.
Inhale, direct the breath all the way down to the base of the body, the tailbone and the feet. Exhale, direct the breath upwards all the way from the base of the body through the crown of the head.
Victorious breath-
Beth
FROM KURT:
Last night was great! A special thanks to "Mary-Beth Poppins" with her umbrella, for totally confusing me on what I thought I understood. But its good as I now have to re-examine what I thought I knew. Love having the 2 different styles of teachers...it adds a lot of depth and breadth to the instruction.Kurt
September 18, 2007 5:41:00 AM PDT
Talitha said...
Thank you Beth & Maureen for a great experience last night!! I really took a lot from the time. It left me craving for more more more. :) I have been practicing my ujjayi breath since I left LY last night. I had my "Aha" moment with my breath this morning. It will be a good day. Enjoy the day everyone!!
We all must start with the most gross aspects of the Ujjayi breath, breathing through the nose, lengthening the breath like a whispering from the back of the throat. Once we can stay with these aspects of Ujjayi, we are ready to begin to experience the breath as the movement of Prana, the ubiquitous life force energy that rides on the breath. Our attention then resides with the direction of movement of the air we are exchanging from within us and around us rather than primarily with what we are "doing" with the outer movements of the body. This is the beginning of articulating the deeper parts of our selves both mentally and physically. We begin literally to know where we are in space from the inside out.
I invite you all to explore this in your asana practice or simply sitting and breathing and share your experience with the group on our BLOG.
Inhale, direct the breath all the way down to the base of the body, the tailbone and the feet. Exhale, direct the breath upwards all the way from the base of the body through the crown of the head.
Victorious breath-
Beth
FROM KURT:
Last night was great! A special thanks to "Mary-Beth Poppins" with her umbrella, for totally confusing me on what I thought I understood. But its good as I now have to re-examine what I thought I knew. Love having the 2 different styles of teachers...it adds a lot of depth and breadth to the instruction.Kurt
September 18, 2007 5:41:00 AM PDT
Talitha said...
Thank you Beth & Maureen for a great experience last night!! I really took a lot from the time. It left me craving for more more more. :) I have been practicing my ujjayi breath since I left LY last night. I had my "Aha" moment with my breath this morning. It will be a good day. Enjoy the day everyone!!
Friday, September 7, 2007
Living Yoga Teacher Training/Develop Your Practice
Hello everyone.... welcome to the world of LYTT/DYP blogging.... it will be fantastic to have as much participation as possible to explore the various aspects of our program as well as to stay connected in between sessions. Current LY teachers will also be weighing in on the blogging and offer their words of wisdom, having been where you are now!!In this first posting I would like to offer the opportunity for us to post - living the Yamas off the mat.... please post how you do that, others you have observed, anything really.
Peace.
Yamas ~ moral codes/ethical disciplines ~ establish yourself in peace
Ahimsa – non-violence in your thoughts, words, actions
Satya – truthfulness, integrity of thoughts, words, actions
Asteya – non-stealing/not taking what is not yours/not taking more than you need
Brahmacharya – healthy expression of sexual activity
Aparigraha – generous in every thought, word, action
Peace.
Yamas ~ moral codes/ethical disciplines ~ establish yourself in peace
Ahimsa – non-violence in your thoughts, words, actions
Satya – truthfulness, integrity of thoughts, words, actions
Asteya – non-stealing/not taking what is not yours/not taking more than you need
Brahmacharya – healthy expression of sexual activity
Aparigraha – generous in every thought, word, action
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Back to Blogging
We will be posting more regularly on this blog - please provide any feedback or thoughts you have about events, the schedule, our community or the yoga community at large.
Reminder that the Rock 'N Race is May 16th and you can sign up to join the Living Yoga team anytime right up to the day of the event. We currently have over 24 people walking/running with our team. The Rock 'N Race will benefit the Payson Center for Cancer Care at the Concord Hospital. If you'd like to join us, flyers are available at the studio or www.concordhospital.org. Due to our involvement in the event, the 5:30pm Primary Series and the Intro classes will not be held.
Happy May!!
~Maureen
Reminder that the Rock 'N Race is May 16th and you can sign up to join the Living Yoga team anytime right up to the day of the event. We currently have over 24 people walking/running with our team. The Rock 'N Race will benefit the Payson Center for Cancer Care at the Concord Hospital. If you'd like to join us, flyers are available at the studio or www.concordhospital.org. Due to our involvement in the event, the 5:30pm Primary Series and the Intro classes will not be held.
Happy May!!
~Maureen
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