Exploring the deeper meanings of the names, themes, and principles we find in yoga is part of the fun of being on the yoga path. Regarding the Sankrit names for poses you might have asked “Why is that pose named that or who is it named after?” You’ll find that...
The Second Yama – Satya
The Yamas are practices that build our character, and progressively eliminate distractions and ‘static’ from our mind and heart. Satya naturally flows from the first Yama, Ahimsa. Satya means truth and sincerity and springs from our decision to do no harm, to cultivate peace and live in aloha. Furthermore, satya...
Applying the wisdom of the Yamas: Ahimsa starts here
The meaning of the Sanskrit word ahimsa is non-harming or non-violence. One association with ahimsa is the decision to not eat animal products, but no matter what your dietary choices, ahimsa refers to a quality of care for self and others. Our practice of ahimsa is about our intentions, thoughts...
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras on Asana – Pt. 1
Maui Yoga Shala Teacher Training Many yogis on the path have heard about Patanjali's Yoga Sutra's. Is it a book that lists and talks about yoga poses we do on the mat or out in nature? While there are many such modern yoga texts with pictures and descriptions of yoga...
The Abundant Life
Abundance is one of those words that is used often but means different things to different people. We in the land of aloha see abundance as a way of life, a grateful perspective on life rather than a goal. An abundant approach to living is seeing with the eyes of gratitude,...
Yoga – Union
The word 'Yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit root 'Yuj', meaning 'to join' or 'to yoke' or 'to unite'. We can go on to say that yoga means unifying what seems to be opposite - body and mind, inner and outer, head and heart. When we synchronize breath and movement in...
Yoga and the Spirit of Aloha
Here in Hawaii, aloha is more than just a greeting, it is a way of life. The spirit of aloha is the heart-centered way of love, compassion and connection. We of course first associate the word aloha as a hello or good-bye. If we look a little deeper, the meaning...
Bikram Yoga
People oftentimes tend to confuse the Bikram Yoga and the Hot Power Yoga with one another, due to the heated room temperature used at both of these types of classes. But in fact, those two differ a lot... Bikram is constituted of 26 postures sequences selected and developed by Bikram...
Ashanti Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is one of the most fundamental Yoga practices that is pivotal to the western yoga tradition... Basically, that is a modern style of gymnastic exercises and stretching, which is practiced in combination with yoga breathing and ancient yoga philosophy techniques... , This type of yoga practice should...
Yoga for Couples
Yoga, by definition and design, means a "yoke" or union — hence it is a work, dedicated to uniting your mind, body and spirit as one balanced entity... So just very similarly to the Indian Tantra practice, partner/couples yoga deepens the workout experience by including your lover, friend or family...