Abhyasa and Vairagya: Effort and Release
In the first chapter of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali describes two aspects of personal practice that will help us progress on our path of yoga – important qualities to understand for our practice on and off the mat. The first is abhyasa, which is often described as sustained, consistent commitment to practice over time. It […]
Why do a 300 Hour Teacher Training?
As yoga educators and practitioners, we know our practice is as dynamic and changing as we are. Everyday we learn something new and encounter challenges in our life and in our practice and everyday we have an opportunity to apply the wisdom of yoga to help us grow and evolve. Our yoga path is […]
Why take a yoga teacher training?
Some things that may cross your mind when asked about a teacher training: I never plan to teach… Don’t you have to be flexible to do yoga… Yoga is only for spiritual people… Nine months ago if I had been asked if I would take a teacher training I would have said all of those […]
Aparigraha – The 5th Yama
We have been exploring the yamas, number 1 of the 8 limbs of Yoga. The yamas are the universal ethics; the foundations for a yogic lifestyle. Observance of the yamas progressively eliminates the temptations and distractions that create suffering in our lives, and take energy away from our focus, growth and progress on our […]
Bramacharya – The 4th Yama
Bramacharya translated means ‘directing our energy to the Divine, to the Sacred’. For many dedicated Yogis, that is interpreted as a call to celibacy, so that all sexual energies may be directed toward awakening and spiritual evolution. A broader understanding of Bramacharya can also be a wise use of all of our energies; making choices […]
Asteya, the third Yama
Asteya means non-stealing. We know it to mean not to take what isn’t ours. If there is ever a questions of this, we have to stop and consider the action we’re about to take. But the subtle applications of asteya show up in all areas of our life, on and off the mat. The less […]
Dancers Pose
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 besides being named after body […]
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 is being in alignment with […]
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 and words as well as […]
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras on Asana – Pt. 1
Many yogis on the path have heard about Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra’s. Is it a book that lists 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 poses, or āsanas, we begin to see that the Yoga Sutras is more […]