Pause by Trisha DeCesare

Have you ever been in Savasana(Corpse Pose)?  If so, you know that blissful state of total relaxation that occurs at the end of our asana practice.  It’s the time we allow our bodies to settle into our mats and enjoy the pure pleasure of peace.

At the end of Savasana, the teacher instructs us to deepen our breath and to begin to wiggle fingers and toes, hug our knees into our chest and roll to the right side.  Then what??  Do we ever truly pause in that moment? 

Too often that important pause is hurried and sometimes even forgotten.  After all, it’s only a pause and we have more important things to do, right?  Wrong!  We know that Yoga is more than just going from one pose to the next.  It’s about breathing and moving through the poses.  It’s about noticing the moments between effort and ease.  And that’s exactly what the pause is all about.

To me, that pause is the essence of yoga.  It’s the perfect time to feel the stillness and peacefulness you’ve cultivated in your practice.  Your body is heavy and supported by the earth beneath you, your breath has slowed down and your mind chatter has quieted.  Ah, the pleasure of that moment, if only we take the moment to recognize it.

Next time, as you roll to your right side, play with the idea of staying in the fetal position for 8-10 full breath cycles before you push yourself up to a seated position.  Feel the pure joy of your practice at that very moment.

As a long time student, I cherish that moment and stay there as long as I need, even if the entire class already moved on to their OM’s.  As a teacher, I emphasize the importance of that moment with my students.  There is nothing like watching thirty people rolled into a fetal position, body heavy, breath soft, completely still.  The peaceful expression on their faces once they come to a seated position is priceless.  It’s the true meaning of “letting go”. It’s a time of transition, from your practice to the “real world”.  My hope is that this pause allows each of us the opportunity to draw upon our sense of well-being so that we can carry it into our daily lives.

What if you don’t practice yoga or didn’t have time to roll out your mat today?   There is still room for the practice of pausing.  Right now, close your eyes and take five deep inhales and exhales.  Feel the pause between the breaths.  When you’re ready, slowly blink your eyes open and notice how you feel. 

We all live such a fast paced life and rarely take the time to stop, even if it is for only 30 seconds.  But the truth is that no matter how busy our schedules, we can all find 30 seconds if we really want to.  It could be when we wake up, standing in line at the grocery store or when we’re picking up our kids from soccer practice.  We all deserve this time to re-connect back to what is really important, our health and well-being.

Namaste

Trisha DeCesare | Certified Yoga Teacher, RYT-500 |  Valley Village, CA

balancedyoga@gmail.com | www.balancedmbs.com 

Click here to learn more about Trisha DeCesar

When is Enough Enough?? by Amy Bishop

Recently, I went to a play group with some wonderful Mommy friends of mine. There are probably about a dozen of us with young toddlers who get together from time to time. The babies play, the mommies catch up. I don’t always get to go because of work, but when I do it’s a great time. This morning, as some of the moms, who are primarily stay-at-home moms, were talking about the classes their wee ones take, I felt a little sting. As a single working mom, I don’t get to take my son to classes, nor can I afford for him to be in several types of classes each week. I had a moment of feeling like I just wasn’t doing enough for my son. I wasn’t there enough. I wasn’t able to provide well enough. I wasn’t giving enough.

I then went to a client of mine who was telling me about two upcoming trips she has planned. One is a break by herself, and one is with her family. They sound like incredible trips, filled with activities and pampering, and I am so filled with travel bug envy, I can’t stand it. Once again, I had the feeling that I wasn’t able to provide enough. I felt like I couldn’t even give myself a much-needed break. I would love to go traveling, but work and bills leave me home meeting basic needs for my little one and myself. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough, or I’d be able to go away as well.

After my client, I headed over to the yoga studio where I teach. I overheard some of my colleagues discussing upcoming workshops they will be taking. One was talking about a retreat she was going on. They were all enthusiastic about their continued training and growth. Again, because of the demands of being a single working mom with limited time and funds, I found myself feeling like not enough. I’m not a good enough teacher because I’m not taking these workshops. I’m not a good enough teacher because I haven’t been on nor led any retreats. I’m not enough.

Wow. What a message my sneaky little ego was trying to deliver! After having this consistent feeling of not being enough in any area of my life, I decided I needed to shift my focus. I asked myself a few questions: first of all, “not enough” according to whom? To whom am I answering?! Second, are my son’s and my own needs being met? NEEDS. Not wants. Not would-be-nice’s. Third, WHY am I being so hard on myself, and is it possible to look at my life from someone else’s perspective… someone who might be thinking “Wow, look how together she is! Look at everything she manages! Amazing!”

Yes, we can be much harder on ourselves than we ever would be on anyone else. But who does that serve? Does that make me a better mom, a better friend, and better teacher? Can I find the compassion that I give lovingly to everyone else and turn it inward? What are the ways I can slay this not-enough monster?

The first is by recognition and gratitude. I can look at all of the positives in my life, and I can take the time to say thank you. I can be appreciative of the “little things”, you know, like my excellent health and my healthy and wonderful son! Second, I can stop comparing myself, and I can stop assuming that everyone else has it all. No one knows what is really going on for another person, and more importantly, it has NOTHING to do with me! And finally, I can know that I am doing my best in every single moment and can choose to feel fulfilled.

If you ever experience moments where you feel you’re not enough, try this:

Sit comfortably and take a few deep breaths. Begin to feel grateful for your health exactly as it is. Feel grateful for the health of those who surround and support you each day. Think of at least five things in your life for which you are grateful. Then say this mantra either out loud or to yourself:

I have enough. I do enough. I am enough.

Repeat. And repeat. And repeat.

I have enough.

I do enough.
I am enough.   

Because you are. 

Amy Bishop | Certified Yoga Teacher E-RYT500, Personal Trainer | New York, NY
imayogini@gmail.com 

Click here to learn more about Amy.

Woman Heal Thyself by Viriam Kaur

I love that book by Jeanne Elizabeth Blum and have used it more than you know........

First of all I want to thank all of you for your support this past two months, yes, even those of you who I don't personally know in cyberspace.  Second of all, I want to acknowledge that I am one of the lucky ones, and I can't explain why.  I have incredible health insurance, and a husband who works very hard 12 hours a day at his job to provide that for me and my daughter.  So it gives me the privilege of having health care that so many people in our country do not have.  It gives me the privilege to go from Dr. to Dr. getting all of this support and help and I DO NOT take it for granted.  I am very very humbled and grateful.

For those of you who know me personally, it has been a roller-coaster ride to say the least!  I have had so many people praying for me. Thank-you so much.  For those of you close to me who will ask me why I am choosing to share this with the world, here you go:

I tell my story in the hopes of helping even ONE other woman out there in the world with the same issues as me.
I tell my story because I am human and realize, even as a deeply spiritual person, I do not control life, I just might affect it.
I tell my story because I am a teacher, but even more so, because I am a student.
I tell my story because I have to.
I tell my story because it scares the hell out of me to tell my story.

Because of chronic pain in my uterus, I was first told on July 12, 2011 I needed a full hysterectomy, I possibly had ovarian cancer and I was definitely going to lose my right ovary.

After several ultrasounds, I was told I had a 5 cm "complex cyst" on my right ovary (meaning it had tissue in it which could be malignant=possibly ovarian cancer + two other diagnosis I won't even go into......).  

Of course I immediately began doing research on-line about what this meant. I found forums, chat rooms, blogs, you name it, about women with my same issues and what they had been through. I pretty much resolved that I needed to go the "medical route" with this one. Ovarian cancer takes you FAST, it ain't nothin' to mess with, I have a small child for God's sake!

When I asked my Dr. how bad does it look, she said "it doesn't look good, we definitely need to biopsy it to make sure it's not cancer, you will probably lose the ovary, and quite possibly have a hysterectomy while you are under anesthesia". So ok, I thought, this is the card I was dealt......my husband and I both cried and hugged leaving the doctor's office that day. I apologized to my husband for having to deal with this, and then thought "wow, I'm a yoga teacher, spiritual leader and health promoter in my community, how is this going to look?". Yep, I actually thought that.

I am a classic generation X'er.  I believe in alternative and occidental medicine. I use them both. I have been criticized for this in the yogic community, but hey, I'm strong, I can take it.  I did decide to get several opinions before moving forward with the surgery. I had 3 specialists (EXPERTS in the field of oncology and uterine issues) tell me it was "impossible" for a complex cyst to go away and I should be more worried about it being cancerous than trying "alternative healing" techniques. My surgery was scheduled for August 24th! My 45th birthday, which I saw as a good omen :).  I accepted this........and was getting prepared.  I got all of my classes covered for 2 1/2 weeks for my surgery and recovery, and continued to teach all of my Yoga classes.  

Preparing for my surgery, I continued to do my acupuncture, juice my veggies, eat mostly vegan, stay off coffee, take my minerals and supplements, do my Hatha and Kundalini Yoga practice (yes, even with my pain) and added Yoga Nidra everyday.  I then dropped a yoga class, because after having a conversation with my cyst (Yes, Louise Hay in full effect!) I learned I was putting too much in the out-put box and not enough in the in-put box (e.g. self care). I continued to think positively and used ALL of my tools everyday, without fail.

My pain was getting less and less and exactly 6 days before my scheduled surgery, my pain was completely GONE.  This, after being in chronic pain for almost 2 months.  I called my doctor immediately and told her I needed an ultrasound because my pain was gone and I had an image of going into surgery and them finding NOTHING.  She tried to tell me it was impossible for the cyst to be gone, but I begged her to "humor me" (she's the one that backed my home birth, so she knows me well).  She told me to come in that day.

When I went in and she did the ultrasound she could not believe it, the cyst had shrunk to about the size of a cherry and was filled with fluid, it was no longer 'neoplastic'.  She was literally shocked.  She sent me to the radiologist right away and I went 4 days before my surgery. I am so happy to tell all of you that as of Aug. 23rd, the cyst is as small as a raisin.  Only 2 cm.  "Ok great!" I thought, "I'm cancelling the surgery".  

When I called the surgeon's office they really could not believe it and the nurse told me they still needed to do a

laperoscopy to biopsy it; to make sure it's not cancer.  
The nurse then told me and I quote "the cyst could have burst and be spreading cancer in your uterus". 

Meanwhile, 2 other doctors told me cancer does not shrink in size, and I did not need the surgery.  However the oncologist/surgeon STILL INSISTED I needed the surgery! 

YOU HAVE TO BE SO STRONG, YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF SO MUCH 

I told them I WOULD NOT be coming in for surgery, and hung up.  

I then called the other specialist I had seen in Van Nuys who told me complex cysts DO NOT go away~(to share the great news).  The nurse then shared with me that yes, by gosh she did remember one woman whose went away, and "it came back 6 months later with a vengeance".  (Can I get a break here?) 

YOU HAVE TO BE SO STRONG, YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF SO MUCH

I went ahead and made another appointment with YET ANOTHER SPECIALIST/EXPERT in the field, this time at one of the most reputable institutions in the country (possibly the world), Cedars Sinai. 

After seeing the oncologist at Cedars Sinai last week, he confirmed it was not cancer, cancer does not shrink, and also confirmed I DID NOT need surgery.  He could not explain how the complex cyst had shrunk, he said, it "rarely, if ever happens". He did however tell me I must continue to monitor it and have ultrasounds regularly and keep "doing what you're doing, you did something right".  His only question to me was "I'm just curious, why did you go back for another ultrasound before your surgery?".  I told him, "intuition".  Yogi Bhajan says "intuition is everything".

Again, thank-you all so much for being on this journey with me and allowing me to share my deepest truths.  I LOVE you all! Om Om Om, Sat Nam, in radiant health :)~ Valinda~Viriam Kaur

Certified Yoga Teacher E-RYT500  | Redondo Beach, CA
valinda@southbayyoginis.com |  www.SouthBayYoginis.com 
Click here to learn more about Viriam

Surprise!!!! This Moment may be EVEN more MIRACULOUS than you Ever Thought Possible! by Jeanette Pearson

This morn­ing, I was read­ing some tid-bits from one of my favorite blogs  and I came across a deli­cious mantra that has become my theme for the day. Accept What Is as a Miracle.

I can sum up my rela­tion­ship to this quote in one word "whoa". What this sig­ni­fies to me is a con­scious, deep, even rad­i­cal accep­tance of THIS MOMENT, as it is. It is a gen­er­ous act of sur­ren­der and grat­i­tude. So, it got me to thinking. What if this moment is even more mirac­u­lous than I EVER thought pos­si­ble?
What if the mir­a­cle is ever expan­sive and lim­it­less?
What if all I need to do to con­nect to this space of pos­si­bil­ity is BE with it and allow the mir­a­cle itself to expand from within me?
What if I am the mir­a­cle?
What if I am a reflec­tion of the mir­a­cle expand­ing from all things?
What if the impos­si­ble has “all of sud­den” become possible?

Regard­less of whether or not I am “right” about any of these “if’s”, I do know that I am will­ing to live pas­sion­ately in the space of mir­a­cles. I am open and up for the rad­i­cal sur­prise of what is. I am FULLY up to prac­tic­ing Accept­ing What is as a Miracle. How about you? Wanna Play? If so, read on and dive pas­sion­ately into the process. For all of you “Mir­a­cle Enthu­si­asts” out there, here is the prac­tice, an invi­ta­tion to dive into what is with accep­tance and grat­i­tude with­out shift­ing any­thing around, sim­ply notice the posi­tion­ing of your body, feel exactly how it feels.

Close your eyes and see if the feel­ing inten­si­fies.
If you notice any ten­sion, soften it out of the body through your breath
Feel your next exhale fully, allow­ing the mir­a­cle to unleash from within you
Feel your next inhale as it wells up, allow­ing the mir­a­cle of life to flood your body process.
Allow the feel­ing, just as it is, to unfold as a mir­a­cle
Repeat these breaths con­sciously and see how long you can cul­ti­vate your inhales and exhales.
Allow the prac­tice to be sim­ple and fluid, allow­ing for each breath to dive you deeper into the mir­a­cle.
Notice if you can slow down just enough to feel the space deep inside of you where each pulse of your breath rises and falls.
From a deep resonate know­ing, acknowl­edge your­self as a mir­a­cle
From a space of acknowl­edge­ment, open to the pos­si­bil­ity that you are even more mirac­u­lous than you ever thought pos­si­ble.
Repeat to your­self “I accept what is as a mir­a­cle“.
Share the mir­a­cle that you are abun­dantly with this world.
There is no limit to the mirac­u­lous power of your spirit.
As a mir­a­cle enthu­si­ast, inspire oth­ers to access the mir­a­cle in every breath by sim­ply being YOU!

Sound fun? If you end up tak­ing on the prac­tice, lemme know how it goes!
I would love to hear about what shifts. What trans­forms and that enlivens in your mirac­u­lous life process!!!
ROCK ON my friends!!!

Breathe Deeply ~ Live Fully ~ Love Infinitely

Certified Yoga Instructor, RYT-200 |  Solana Beach, CA
Jeanette@DynamicAsanaYoga.com | DynamicAsanaYoga.com 
Click here to learn more about Jeannette.

Nothing Like the Present by Shannon Lyons

"Times are a changing," sang Bob Dylan. I've never been much of a Dylan fan, but I can't get this song out of my head. This summer has started with a bang for me, with my acceptance into graduate school, a move back to the states from the island of Puerto Rico, and now a brand new Jala ambassador program in my life, I am filled with emotion.

Through so much change, an amazing shift of awareness has happened: I am completely present. Quiz me now and I'll recite my whole week back to you with vivid detail. (I'm feeling mighty confident!)

My husband and I decided that although we are sad to leave such an amazing place, we are embracing this new chapter by opening our arms wide to every experience, just for the sake of it. The uncertainty if we'll ever take part in the island life again has us out of our comfort zone and branching out. This seemed daunting and scary at first, but what a huge blessing! We're visiting places we always said we'd go & doing things we've always wanted because there is a time constraint. Why, just this weekend I skinny dipped with all of my best girlfriends here under the super moon, in the Caribbean, off a sail boat. Yes, I would say that is living in the moment.

Now, I understand this is not the ordinary day to day life everyone leads. However, let my story inspire you even in some minute way. Set a deadline for yourself, even if it is fictional or outrageous, and see what you can do. For example, have you always wanted to visit the parks in your town but never make time to do it? Plan a picnic by the end of the month and amaze yourself over the simple fun you can have. Need a huge change? Challenge yourself to kiss a stranger or save as much money as you can in 1 month for a vacation. Watch your life from a vantage point of a ticking clock countdown. Everyone knows the "life is short" mantra, but what can you do with that time frame?

This is yoga. Not just the sweating and breathing for an hour on your mat. Take what you've learned in class in expand it out there, in your own world. This is one of the greatest gifts yoga has shown me, and I'm living in love each and every day because of it.

Yoga Teacher | Rincon, Puerto Rico
shan.pr.yoga@gmail.com | www.ShanSurferYogi.Com
Click here to learn more about Shannon

The Royal Kumari by Chloe Park

Have you heard about the Royal Kumari? She lives in a palace in the center of the capitol city of Nepal, Kathmandu.

Kumari Devi. She is a young pre-pubescent girl, chosen as the incarnation of divine female energy. Otherwise known as the goddess. The people of Nepal worship her, adore her, love her for all that she’s done for them. But what exactly has she done? Nothing really. But what does she represent? Everything, really.

The Kumari Devi is never to leave this palace. Not until she reaches puberty. Her innocence and purity is honored and praised to the highest of reverence. She is just barely seen from the outsider viewing in, through thin sheaths of white chiffon veiling the full silhouette of her majesty.

She represents the Goddess. The Sacred One. The Holy One. Maha Shakti. God. Consciousness. Nature. The Divine. The Highest of all Highs.

The people of Kathmandu have created this young child to not only be a representation of this Holy One, but also to serve as a reminder. Situated prominently in the center of the Durbar Square, she lives in the palace, gracing the people of Nepal as the visual form of this great divine energy-- that is inexplicable and incapable of ever being caught. Her role is to serve as a channel to the Divine.

Life in the Eastern framework feels a lot more natural than Fox 11 News and McDonald’s.

What is your connection to the divine? That’s where spiritual practice comes in. Your yoga practice is your direct link to return back to the Source of all things. Especially in the modern times that we are living in, it is such a challenge to remember why it is we’re all here. There are many forces working against us, especially in the Western world.

Yoga Teacher | Bali, Indonesia
mail@chloeparkhealing.com | www.chloeparkhealing.com


Click here to learn more about Chloe

Yoga For Our Children by Texas Boesch

Hurry….!

This seems to be a mantra echoed in many homes by Moms everywhere.

We live in a fast paced world, we’re over-worked, over-scheduled and very often, over-stressed. And so are our children. Between competition at school, sports, after-school activities and homework, kids often feel a great deal of pressure. Thankfully, there is a way to counteract that stress…without a trip to the doctor or pharmacy. Just as Yoga is beneficial to adults, so it is to children as well.

As both a yoga instructor and a mom, I can tell you first hand, yoga and children are a perfect match. Children’s natural curiosity and flexibility lends perfectly to practicing yoga. While a class/session should be much shorter in duration than a class that an adult would attend, much of the same poses and principles can be applied. A half hour class is perfect for kids. As they get older, their attention span increases and they become more accustomed to the practice, more time can be added.

The key is to make it fun. Kids love animal poses…when children imitate movements and sounds in nature, they get an opportunity to experience a real connection to their world. In cat pose for example, children are familiar with seeing a cat arch its back and are able to imitate it with ease. With my own children, I often make a game out of our yoga practice; playing “Simon Says” with yoga poses. By keeping it fun, not only does it keep their interest, but it also keeps them coming back for more.

Interspersing breathing techniques and relaxation poses throughout the class gives children the chance to wind down and quiet their minds- skills that also help them in their daily life.  Reaping the true rewards of Yoga. Children respond well to guided meditations/visualization and it’s is a perfect way to end the class. Children will walk away from class feeling centered and calm.

Keep in mind, that children learn best by example. If they see you practicing yoga regularly, then chances are they will want to join in. What a wonderful way to spend quality family time together, than participating in something beneficial for body, mind and spirit.

Namaste

Texas Boesch, ERYT-500, Personal Trainer, Playa Del Rey, CA 

info@thefitnessunderground.com | www.thefitnessunderground.com

Click here to learn more about Texas.

What should I do? What should I do? By Amy Bishop

So many times when our lives are in turmoil, we turn toward another person (or many people!) for answers. Who do you call when times are tough? Your mom? Your best friend? Your therapist? And do you disguise your quest for yet another opinion as just wanting to talk, when really you’re hoping for some solutions to be offered? Do you ever find yourself wishing that someone would just tell you what to do?

Recently a friend of mine called me because she was having some guy troubles and wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue or to end the relationship. After a lengthy conversation of pros and cons, “well, but he’s…”, “I know, but…” and “yeah, but on the other hand…,” she said to me, “What should I do?” When I gave that annoying therapist response of answering with the question, “Well, what do you think?,” the answer was “I don’t know.” “Yes, you do,” I replied. “Yes, you do. You’ve just stopped listening to your inner voice.”

We seek answers from others all the time: we go to mechanics to figure out what’s making that noise under the hood; we go to doctors to tell us why we have a headache and sore throat; we ask our yoga teachers why something hurts or why we can’t do a posture. Now, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t seek the advice of professionals when it’s actually warranted, but what ever happened to listening to a gut feeling, following a hunch, or letting an instinct be heard? What ever happened to the question “what do I need to know right now?”

The next time that you find yourself frantically seeking advice as you try to make a personal decision, stop! Put down the phone. Don’t meet at Starbucks. Step away from Facebook. It’s time to look within.

Find a quiet, peaceful place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted. Turn off your phone, your computer, your ipod. Get out of your system all the fidgeting you need to so that you can be still. Then close your eyes and allow your breath to deepen. Notice any tension in your body and allow it to leave with the exhalation. Relax into yourself as you set aside any thoughts, worries or to-do lists. In the simplest way, such as “I’m concerned about ___________”, draw into your mind what is your area in question. If you don’t have a specific question, that’s fine! Then ask, “What do I need to know in this moment?” That’s it. Don’t try to reason through answers. Don’t try to process. Just allow. Allow the Universe, your internal guidance system, God, your Higher Power, your gut feelings- whatever name you want to give it- to respond. The answer may not come in that sitting. It may not come the next day. It may not even come in a week. But if you allow and are open and are receptive to signs, then you can trust that the answer is on its way. Begin to turn inward for answers. Practice. And soon you’ll discover that your intuition will grow stronger and will be more obvious. You’ll begin to trust your Self. And you will be on your way to a more connected, happier life than you ever will be if someone else is calling your shots.

Amy Bishop | Certified Yoga Teacher E-RYT500, Personal Trainer | New York, NY
imayogini@gmail.com

Click here to learn more about Amy.

Happiness & Peace of Mind are a Choice by Linda Baffa

 
“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years” - Abraham Lincoln
I pulled this quote out of the box of meaningful sayings at The Green Yogi where i taught yesterday.   And when you pull a card out of a box of meaningful sayings, you KNOW the first one you pull is the one you need.  Just like when you ask yourself a question in meditation, the first answer that comes up is the one you need.... I’ve been thinking about this quote a lot since yesterday morning at 8am.  Mostly, it’s simply been a strong reminder to me.  As ever since September 11th, 2001, I pledged to live my life to the fullest, knowing that it could be taken from me at any point in time.  Every day, Every year... I refuse to become complacent or unsatisfied in any area of my life.  And that is why I do yoga and meditation.  My daily practice connects me to create a peaceful and open mind, connected to my inner truth and intuition, so that I can live my best, most joyful life each and every day.  I will absolutely not settle for less.  Happiness and peace of mind are a CHOICE and are cultivated through a CHOICE to honor and practice them.   Don’t ever forget that. 
After I taught that 8am class, I had breakfast with two of lovely yoga friends and one of them said, “you know what’s crazy?  I’ve been having deja vu all the time lately.  Why do you think that is?”  I said... I think it’s because you are living the life you manifested.  You are living the life you want to live and the one that you have created for yourself.  Dreams and thoughts are so powerful that when you imagine yourself doing the things you want to do and living the life you want to live, they ACTUALLY happen.  So, dream the life you want to live.  Even if that dream is as simple as to just be happy.  See yourself smiling.  See yourself in situations that bring you joy and fulfillment.  And when you die, there will be no fear and no regret.  You will simply leave this world peacefully knowing you LIVED your life - the one you wanted to live. :)

Linda Baffa

Yoga Nani Owner | Certified Yoga Teacher 500Ryt| El Segundo, CA

lindasyoga@gmail.com |  www.yoganani.com

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Click here to learn more about Linda.

The Dance of the Sacred Sisters By Aiyana Athenian

I love the dance of Yoga and Ayurveda.  After years of teaching yoga classes, training teachers and exploring an array of styles of Yoga, I decided to deepen my practice through the study of Ayurveda.  I had been exposed to Ayurveda for quite some time, but upon diving into the waters of this ancient “sister science” to Yoga, I discovered a deep love in the dynamic union of these two “sisters.”  Ayurveda became so much more than just a “quiz to determine your dosha,” it became a way to make yoga sadhana really personal, really “right” for the individual.

The path of Yoga (and Ayurveda too) is just not a one-size-fits-all model.  Even though students may take a class and all follow the same poses the instructor is leading, that does not mean every single posture is exactly intended for each body in the class that day.  Ayurveda offers a means to assess what we have going on in our bodies and minds day to day.  Then through the application of principles of vikruti (the fluctuations on the original constitution, or dosha) one can adjust his/her practice to meet the needs of his/her mind and body arising in that moment.  We are constantly changing, and our practices need to reflect this.  We are affected by a change in weather, a conversation with a friend, a new job, what we ate for breakfast, etc and our yoga practice will provide the most benefit when we can tailor it to the individual needs of the moment. 

I had a yoga student ask what yoga would be most appropriate for her, as she was feeling a bit tired and sluggish and mostly just wanted to curl up in a ball and go back to sleep, or eat some more “comfort food.”   It was late winter and while her schedule was moderately busy, it wasn’t overly taxing.  Ayurveda teaches us to look to the natural world and apply the opposite elements of what is manifesting.  In this case, we opted to heat up the room, energize her body with some warming flows, and uplift her mind with some refreshing pranayama.  When we were finished, she looked radiant and said she felt better than she ever could have imagined.  However if the same person had asked that question at the beginning of the winter and had been showing any signs up excess activity in her life, the class would have taken an entirely different approach- completely restorative and grounding. 

I am continually inspired by the therapeutic results students experience when understanding how to use Ayurveda to make their yoga sadhana personal and truly healing.  It is this ever-changing approach to Yoga through the application of Ayurvedic wisdom that makes this path so incredible for me and allows me to feel authentic, both in my personal practice and as I teach and train teachers. 

Aiyana Athenian

Co-Founder, ShivaShakti School of Yoga & Healing Arts | Yoga Teacher E-RYT 500 LMT, CAC | Rockland, ME

info@shivashaktiyogaschool.com | www.ShivaShaktiYogaSchool.com

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Morning Sadhana Super Charge Your Day!

How do you start your day before you face the world each day? 

I start each day with morning meditation called Sadhana which includes Kundalini Yoga Kuriya (series of asanas, breathing techniques, and chanting), and meditation combined with breathing techniques, mudras, bhandas, and/or chanting.  To me, this became such an important ritual like brushing my teeth.  If I don’t do it, I feel something is off.  Morning meditation to me is like setting my high vibration “reference point” where I can come back throughout my day whenever I am thrown off center.  Yes, things happens in life, and my mind reacts in unexpected ways, and can put me into dark state of mind.  I find that knowing where to come back really helps me shorten the time I might spend being in a negative state of mind.  My morning practice is based upon the Kundalini Yoga Kuriya and Meditation, but your ‘Sadhana’ can be anything you do consistently so that you can clear your own consciousness to relate yourself to the infinity within.

By doing Sadhana, we can tune up our nervous system and attune ourselves to our highest inner self.  A morning spiritual practie is the key for setting the tone of your  entire day so that you can take control of your day, not allow the day to over take your mind.

“Sadhana is self-enrichment. It is not something which is done to please somebody or to gain something. Sadhana is a personal process in which you bring out your best." ~ Yogi Bhajan

In my practice, I repeat the same Sadhana at least 40-days.  There is a natural 40-day rhythm to habits in the body and mind. It takes about 40-days of consistent practice to break a habit.  Now, for the first time, I am starting a challenging 120-days meditation.  It said that after 120-days, the habit becomes "who you are".  I am interested in finding out if I can keep the commitment, and also how my consciousness will shift during these 4 months.

After my Sadhana, I drink a reshly juiced green juice and a blended super food smoothie.  I feel centered and super charged before I open the door to meet my new day.  When I miss my morning practice, I do it in the afternoon or the evening, but I do feel the difference throughout the day.  You can say that I am depending upon Sadhana, but I believe it is a good addiction to have!

“Develop a regular Sadhana and you take control of your life. Develop a deep sadhana and you open the doors of experience. Commit to meet your higher Self each morning and your decisions and your life become original; your life will bear the signature of your soul; your radiance will express the meaningful intimacy of the Infinite in each moment. Immerse yourself in the joy of victory that comes from starting each day with a powerful sadhana and every challenge becomes opportunity.” - Kundalini Yoga Sadhana Guidelines. Second Edition. Kundalini Research Institute, 2007.

Let’s start taking control of our life by doing regular sadhana, so we can live happy, healthy and holy!!

Kiyomi Takahashi

Certified Yoga Teacher 500RYT  | Venice, CA kiyomiyoga@gmail.com |  www.kiyomiyoga.com

Grow...Thrive...Love Energizes My Life. By Suzy Nece

When I took my first yoga class some 20 plus years ago – I left before sivasana(final relaxation) and was moaning, groaning, cursing (under my breath) – Thinking: ouch…people really do this  **$@(#@*($@!  

It was so slow and painful and boring! It wasn’t until I herniated a disc dancing, that I went back to the mat out of desperation.  I had tried everything: rest, physical therapy, acupuncture  - I was loosing my mind…and friends....It was then that the love affair began…. I was smitten with the flow! Ahh…the beautiful, sweaty scent of Ashtanga….that was the smell of my enlightenment.  I found a way to dance on the mat…. Injuries are opportunities to grow – to be creative with your practice and reinvent yourself.

That was the first time yoga saved my life… Yes, yoga saves lives – and not just your own.  Sometimes I think if it weren’t for my daily practice, I might hurt someone!  I regularly credit yoga (cheekily) for keeping me out of jail. 

Years later, I ran back to the mat (literally with my tail between my legs) battling IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).  My agro, fiery flow classes weren’t cooling my nerves.  Again, I tried everything…the tests, the drugs, the counseling… My body and mind were out of control. I couldn’t digest what the world was throwing my way. Once again yoga gave me my life back …I found my way to Iyengar yoga, creating mental and physical balance through proper alignment.  Pranayama (breathing techniques) was the key to calming my inner body and giving me peace of mind.  Breath control was the gateway to empowering my thoughts and beginning my “mind over tummy” battle.  Through stillness I discovered the healing sound of my own breath, and thanks to a well placed bolster, I learned how to prop myself up when I felt completely run down.  I was revitalized & began to thrive.

My most recent yoga renaissance came to me postnatal– I practiced yoga through out my pregnancy, up until the point when my ankles were so swollen they squished when I walked.  People were afraid to see me in class.  I was a giant monster rocking handstands in my 7th month.  This yogini was planning for a natural hypno-birth when life had a different plan.  One month early, with my blood pressure at 220/120 (preeclampsia), I had an emergency C-section and a premature baby. 

I am so grateful for the gift of my daughter but the hormones, sleep deprivation and breast feeding blues, took me to the edge of my sanity and mat again.  I had lost myself. I didn’t look or feel like I thought I was supposed to - I was tired, scared, angry, and couldn’t shake paranoid circular thoughts.  

I was stuck in the past, afraid of the future and missing the moment.  I wasn’t breathing.  Practicing yoga with my daughter was brilliant therapy.   She taught me to accept a “new normal”.  Watching her belly breathe when she was sleeping… opening my eyes to her experiencing the world for the first time…seeing her smile…her giggle, gave me purpose…I was reintroduced to my breath by a belly laugh!  That laughter I felt swelling in my gut wasn’t just about the money I was saving on psychotherapy… It was my whole being smiling…as I was at peace with my body and madly in love with my little girland my new yoga.  Laughing is breathing…It is the pranayama of bliss.  If we can laugh together, we can do anything together.  

Life is hard … yoga doesn’t have to be.   There isn’t just one body type, personality type or demographic for yoga.  There isn’t just one way to perform Triangle Pose (trikonasana). You can practice on your back, on your belly, on your side, on a wall, on a chair, on your head…it is all about looking at life from every perspective.  Broaden your worldview – look at yourself – your issues – your obstacles from every angle.  When you feel stuck in a rut turn your world upside down, when you are overwhelmed lie on your back- feel the arms of the earth open up and cradle you - open your body & mind to being supported - Do an entire practice with a human sandbag: a 10 lb baby… dance, sing, down dog! 

Transform your practice-transform your life!

Suzy Nece 200RYT

The Yoga Loft Manhattan Beach Owner, Manhattan Beach, CA

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