Friday, March 30, 2012

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

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

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