Inspiration from TKV Desikahar by Janná Giles, RYT

As a yoga instructor, I see myself as a perpetual yoga student of this complex science. Along with attending teacher trainings, and assisting my teacher, Shiva Rea, I have a collection of yoga, ayurveda, tantra, and meditation books that help me stay inspired. One book that I love recommending to other yoga instructors and students alike is "The Heart of Yoga" by T.K.V. Desikachar. 

In this thoroughly enjoyable book, I was delighted in how Mr. Desikachar, the son of the great Sri T. Krishnamacharya, wrote. The language he uses to explain the not-so-broad-strokes of yoga philosophy and practice could be considered digestible for any person, regardless of yoga level. His down to earth way of writing seems to flow with ease and makes what he shares very accessible, and inspired me to continue reading. 

I appreciate Mr. Desikachar's references to Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, and other great texts, throughout the book. The text is rich with commentary found throughout the entire book, along with Krishnamacharya's outlook. I also found it helpful having the written texts available with transliterations, along with Mr. Desikachar's commentary in the back of the book. 

Following are some points I instantly resonated with when I first read his book:

- I teach Prana Flow®: Energetic Vinyasa, cultivated by Shiva Rea in my private lessons and public group classes. I also teach private group classes in workplace environments where some tend to think that Prana Flow may be too creative, spiritually based, or heart-felt to be appropriate for the workplace. One passage from this book that I've been excited to share with my students is the additional meaning of yoga; "to attain what was previously unattainable." Supporting the idea of expansion in all places, one simple application of this is offering the vinyasa kramas (sequences/stages) in the asana practice to open and strengthen my student's physical bodies more than some ever had thought possible. But even more applicable, I always introduced drawing focus to the breath to help quiet their citta vritti (whiling mind) during the opening movement meditation and throughout the class, chanting the pranava (OM) to help them feel themselves as vibratory beings, creating time for a sankalpa (dedication) at the start of class, circling back to reflect on that sankalpa at the end of class, and leading them through short meditations. As a result, I find most of my student come to show more interest beyond the physical benefits of yoga asana, as they gain an appreciation for nurturing their minds and spirits in expansion through additional spiritual studies. 

- Another point that has been especially helpful in both classes and my own personal life is an additional explanation of yoga. To paraphrase, "yoga is accessible to every human being, as states or qualities of the mind are universal to us all." This helps reinforce my own belief and has helped me relate and communicate with potential students who may have a dissimilar backgrounds to my own. For instance, conservative-Christians that have struggled relating to the concepts within yoga in my workplace classes, have been able to focus on those common "mind qualities" and use that as a basis on which to relate. By finding common ground based on universal truths that we can all agree upon, they have been both educated and relieved with the intention and purpose this wonderful practice can provide to us all. 

- Challenging my students to focus on the quality of their breath, as Mr. Desikachar explains, has also been helpful in teaching both me and my students how to know if we are in the correct vinyasa krama (stage or sequence) for our physical bodies that day. Noticing if we are able to maintain a consistent length of inhalation and exhalation throughout our practices, or if we need to speed up breath cycles in order to be in a higher vinyasa karma, has been invaluable. Sharing that each asana, and the movements between asanas, should be led by the breath and should feel balanced in the qualities of sthira (effort) and sukha (ease) also has me and my students connect with the correct modifications or variations for our bodies that day. 

Above are only a small sampling of what I took away from this wonderful book. This text has left me with a very sweet love and respect for T.K.V. Desikachar and I hope you'll enjoy this book as much as I have.

Janna Giles

300RYT & Certified Prana Flow Instructor | Om Voyage Yoga & Retreats Owner

OmVoyageYoga.com | janna@jannagiles.com

Click here to learn more about Janná.

When Enough is Enough by Richelle Morgan

Each time I step onto my mat, it's a brand new experience. Some days I feel like a rock star. Strong, fluid, graceful, on top of the world. Other days… meh, not so much. I'm awkward, tired, unfocused and completely out of tune with my body, breath and sprit. We all have those days. Where we want to crawl back under the covers and play hooky from life, but it's on those days that experience has taught me that I need my practice the most. That the mere act of stepping onto my mat would help shift my perspective. And that I didn't have to be a rock star everyday… that I was enough and exactly where I needed to be.

But I didn't always feel this way. I used to step onto my mat as though I were competing… I needed to be stronger, push harder, dig deeper. I didn't listen. I wasn't connected to what was going on with my body, my soul, my heart. Fast forward to injury, frustration and self-depreciation. I now know that the only competition I was in was with myself and my ego. In those early days of my practice, I had heard that what happens on your mat reflects what's going on off your mat. In that time I was overworked, stressed, scattered and dulled by my life and I scoffed at that idea. The physicality of my practice was creating a blanket for me to hide under and my ego was leading the way.

And then one day, every changed. It started out as a simple home practice. A typical morning following an online podcast. Moving, breathing, flowing and then I was asked to pause in warrior ll. To settle in and get cozy, as I like to say. Alignment cues were given. And then a bombshell was dropped. Five minutes. We were going to stay here for five minutes and notice what comes up. My monkey mind started to chatter, loud and clear. The heat in my front thigh began to simmer. And every excuse I could think of was surfacing to tempt me out of the pose. 

But I choose to stay in the pose. I choose to notice, to pay attention to what was happening on a deeper level. To really and truly listen to what my body was telling me. I settled into my breath, relaxed my shoulders and turned the volume down on the conversation happening inside me. And in those brief five minutes, it happened. Yoga happened. A lightbulb went off and as I allowed myself to just be, I became more aware. I realized that I was allowing my habits off my mat to make their way onto my mat. That my excuses, my tendency to push too much, to scatter myself too thin, to judge and criticize myself for not doing, giving, being enough had made it's way into my practice. And it was up to me to flush it out. 

That simple practice of staying present in the pose, of paying attention to what my body is capable of changed my practice. I have always taught self-love, self-appreciation and believing in your inner strength and nourishing it so that it grows, but in those days I was not teaching myself those same beliefs. Once I started to pay attention, to really connect to the details of my asanas, to develop quality over quantity, to give myself credit each and every time I made the choice to step onto my mat, a shift happened. Clarity was born and what I was creating on my mat started to mirror itself in my daily life. I became more grounded, focused, stronger and engaged. I opened my heart to let life and all it's messy splendour find its way in. It wasn't easy and it meant facing the darker sides of me. But I knew that if I dug in and continued on this path, after the storms cleared, I would be able to face life's challenges with a quiet strength and the knowledge that I was enough. 

So the next time you step onto your mat, take notice. Take a moment and just be. And then as you start to move, pay attention to the habits you've created. To the voice that rises when things get uncomfortable. Stay in a pose a little longer and focus on the quality of your movement. And when that little voice comes up that self-judges, criticizes or tempts you out of the pose, turn the volume down with love, a soft smile and quiet strength. And know that you are exactly where you need to be.

Richelle Morgan
Certified Yoga Teacher, Yogi, Wanderluster, Bliss Warrior | Tulum, Mexico
richelle@richellemorganyoga.com 
Click here to learn more about Richelle.

Science of Om by Jackie Elliott

I remember when I first came to yoga I was very skeptical yet intrigued by the practice of Om-ing.

On one hand it immediately reminded me of when my sister and I as kids would try to match pitch by making the sounds ah, ooh or mm. We would be entranced by the sounds wavering off one another and had our intent focus trying to perfectly match the sounds with even breath.

On the other hand it annoyed me going to class and not understand what om-ing was all about. I didn't feel comfortable participating in something I didn't understand.

So for those of you who may be in the same boat of intrigue and wonder here is a scientific description of what Om is/does.

OM is made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, when combined together, make the sound Aum or Om.

Einstein's famous equation E=mc2 saying (M)matter is a expression of (E)energy, noting every atom and molecule throughout the universe is formed out of energy vibration. States of energy vibration are on a microcosmic and macrocosmic level. So establishing that everything in the universe has a literal frequency or vibration lets talk about what the vibration of om is and does-

A article recently written my Sam Saunders states this " The sound Om, when chanted, vibrates at the frequency of 432 Hz, which is the same vibrational frequency found throughout everything in nature.

As such AUM is the basic sound of the universe; so by chanting it we are symbolically and physically tuning in to that sound and acknowledging our connection to all other living beings, nature and the universe."

Here is a quote from a scientific study of time frequency analysis graphs on the effects of chanting OM-"We have concluded that OM chanting affords steadiness in the mind scientifically. This provides calm and peace too to the stressed mind. The mental stress of a person gets reduced while the mind reaches steadiness. As a final point, we have confirmed scientifically the accomplishments of OM chanting in reducing the stress from the human mind." 

So there you have it- simply put science says OM is a uniting sound or vibration often used in chanting to acknowledge unity in turn calming and bringing balance to the body and mind. 

Namaste!

Jackie Elliott | Certified Yoga Teacher, ERYT-500 

Jackiesyogaseattle@gmail.com

Click here to learn more about Jackie.

Beautiful Injury What a Concept by Cypresse Emery

I teach a fun and fast paced power flow class every Saturday morning. There isn't anything we won't try, all with the emphasis on the balance between stability and freedom. This morning, student after student came in with numerous injuries: shoulders, knees, necks, hamstrings, low backs. Being a Yoga therapist, I had a mini freak out in my head as all these injuries layered in on top of one another. I questioned just how this practice might pan out with so many diverse concerns. My intention in teaching is that each practitioner walk out feeling better than they did when they came in or they have learned something about themselves, their practice or their patterns. Maybe both. I was in for it and had a fair amount of tension in my own body that brought me to reckon with the opportunity of such a class.

Then, as often the angel of Yoga does, I was reminded that injuries aren't bad. Injuries are inherently imbalances that teach us where and what is imbalanced. Usually, they do this in the form of alarming pain, which we naturally resist and want to avoid. Suddenly, the fear of facilitating a class that addressed numerous injuries transformed into the opportunity to embrace all the injuries as teachers, friends even. I welcomed the students to see where in their bodies, breaths or minds, they were struggling or facing some sort of pain. Like a good friend, sit with the pain for a bit and see what it wants to say. The injury's job isn't to hurt us; it is to alert us to what needs to change. Upon working with many of the conditions present in the practitioners, under the scope of "Injury as Teacher," a beautiful thing happened. The uncertainty and fear of the injuries were softened. People who had come in with pain on their faces had started to smile, shine even. The pain, while still present perhaps, was not a threat. It was a friend who cared so much about our well being that it asked us to pay attention and return to balance. It asked us to be kind to ourselves. It was asking us to embrace everything at our disposal as a way to return to wholeness, including our pains and that which we would push away. Beautiful injury - what a concept.

                 

And, it worked because we worked it. The attitudes of trepidation were shifted to attitudes of friendship. There is, after all, nothing to fear. When we can replace our reactions of dread with choices to connect, we find our lives much better for it. As Rilke said: "Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love." Now, I like that, and I hope that that the students who courageously stepped up to sit with their injuries today found they walked out feeling better for having done so. If nothing else, perhaps some of us learned we could all stand to shift the paradigm. 

Cypresse Emery | Certified Yoga Teacher, ERYT-500 

chemery40@comcast.net 

Click here to learn more about Cypresse.

Yoga: what is it good for? by Sofiya Hyder

The wisdom of the hatha yogi is not only in balancing the solar and lunar currents in the body, but also in uniting embodiment and self realization.  The senses and desires of a human being can distort reality by exaggeration and egoic projection or be viewed as circuits of creative energy whose play is perpetual, purposeful, and limitless.  Similarly, our sexuality, spirituality, and personality can become oppressive and one dimensional or be tuned to reflect our unique and radiant connection to our higher self & full potential.  Through the practice, we gradually shed layers of old conditioning and began to open up to different states of consciousness, deeper forms of presence, and an array of physical expressions.  The question that burns for me, however, is whether the difference between real transformation and a fleeting experience or even a fantastic act is not to found in the support of a community that is open, inclusive, and rooted in love….?

The source of this love can be called mystery, imagined as a god or a goddess, or conceived of as the “unborn.”  It is the very flow of life and timeless as a sacred geometry of art and worship.  It is felt as inner peace.  We live in a strange culture, one where our wounded relationship to power makes a taboo of intimacy and a mockery of intuition, and our bodies are the first to register this disharmony through aches and pains and dis-ease.  The love that is needed is a rite of passage, a coming of age, and a trust that binds ritual and initiation to devotion and service.

As we stretch our hamstrings and maximize our lung capacity, I would like to remind us that there is also a way in which our “workout” can be a prayer, an investigation, and an offering.  By understanding our minds, our relationship to movement, and the structure of our drives, we create a ripple effect that has a positive impact on the whole world without the high cost and risk of dogma.  By accepting the call to bring mind body & soul together, whether on or off the mat, we express our greatest strength and vulnerability – the ability to touch and be touched. 

Sofyia Hyder | Yogi & Spiritual Poet | Carrollton, TX 
hyder_sofiya@yahoo.com | www.facebook.com/allroadsleadtoaum
Click here to learn more about Sofiya Hyder

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

Click here to learn more about Aiyana.