Yoga Nuggets

What is yoga…really? Yoga is whatever you need it to be in the moment of your practice. If you need a raise in energy, an active practice can ignite that spark of energy within you. If your body needs to let go of tension, a more passive practice of movements can guide the body and mind to release it. Physically, yoga will help you learn the power of surrender and the strength of persistence. Awareness is a key that unlocks the mind.  Consider breathing one of the keys to opening many doors starting with the physical. Breathing creates space. Space gives room to move. Movement takes you to new places to explore. The physical space opened makes it so much easier for the non-physical and mental doors to appear. Your practice opens your mind so that you strengthen the ability to truly feel your intuition. Your intuition of who you are, what your heart says, and awareness of the interconnectedness of all life expands. Perhaps this is the best form of en...

For many, practicing yoga is much easier than the practice of meditation. With yoga, you're focused on breathing and feeling the body navigate from pose to pose. Those two components are just about enough to get the "back seat driver" (your mind) to quiet down a bit. Get to Savasana and one of two things can happen. You're in the zone of surrender and keep the inner chatter down to a minimum or the voice slowly starts its relentless expression. Sound familiar? You're not alone. For many, the concept of meditation sounds great; however, when it gets time to make the effort to do it...well, that's another story. First issue is to determine how to actually do it. Google "meditation" and a long list of choices to consider trying pop up. There are guided meditations, chanting meditations, breathing meditations, walking meditations...and so on. Studies have shown how meditation can alter the brain frequencies ; thus, put you in a different state of mind....

 Take a click to see article written for Yogamint. Just know the words of T.K.V. Desikachar are very true: "in stages, the impossible becomes possible." Think something is impossible? Dream again. http://yogamint.com/indepth/dare-to-dream

Yoga has officially hit the mainstream in a big way. New styles of yoga practice appear to pop up when you simply Google the word yoga. It would be easy to be distracted from the true purpose of it. It is fun, challenging and wise to experience new ways; however, do not forget the heart and home of your practice…YOU. To assume one way to practice is better than another is a mistake. Only you know what is best for you. It goes beyond fitness, strength, and knowing how to breathe. If you have ever put together a puzzle of a thousand little pieces, you can envision how the practice of yoga works. As you do more, you see more. Ponder Einstein’s quote: “All religions are branches of the same Tree.” The same applies to yoga. It’s personal and speaks to your heart.   Therefore, all practices of yoga are branches of the same Tree. What appeals to you may do nothing for another. Practice with awareness of your physical, mental, and spiritual balance. Ganga White, author of Yoga Beyond ...

I often get asked what type of yoga do you teach? Initially, I would try to explain the various details; however, music gave me the best answer...whatever I feel the heart needs to "hear". Music is very personal and speaks beyond the ears of the listener. The same is for a yoga practice. Sometimes you need to restore your body and mind. Or, you've got to get some good energy flowing through you and an active, heat building practice makes it happen. Just like music, you feel drawn to listen to classical one day and reggae the next. The voice and words of a singer can make you move....just like your awareness of inhaling and exhaling in a yoga practice. Don't fight it...flow with it. I am not one to tie myself to a specific approach in just about anything. A yoga practice changes as your body gets stronger and more flexible. More significantly, the mind follows the body. To lock yourself into one mode limits your edges. In fact, as of now, I am not going to practice o...

As your practice of yoga integrates itself in your body and mind, a lot changes. It is a cool journey of metamorphis while in this body. You really start to understand how everything is truly connected from the inside out. You might notice how you can intentionally slow down your heart rate, feel the subtle lengthening of a muscle take place or even mentally release a cumbersome feeling. The skies the limit on this journey. Each practice is unique if you stay focused on what you need. Explore different ways to experience the same pose you have done a ton of times. Recently, I have really enjoyed the experience of staying in a pose for 30-60 seconds before going to the next. Try a Sun Salutation with this technique to experience strength in stillness. You will notice that as you reach up in the beginning, you really feel the rib cage lift, the foundation of the feet ground the Earth, the arms getting longer and more. When you surrender in the forward fold, you give the spin...

Going to a funeral is a pretty stark reminder of the brevity of life. It does not matter if you make it to 100 years; in the scheme of things, it's quick. Take the time you have been given to truly live. Yes, we have bills to pay and responsibilities to others, but if you're not careful, you might lose sight of what life is really about. Time is an illusion. Things or circumstances can change almost quicker than you take a deep breath. Hearing and truly feeling the love and happiness that this special person shared with countless people reinforced truths that we all know...but, forget sometimes. Here are 7 truths to practice. And, yes, just like yoga, consider life a practice. You came here without training and continue to learn along the journey. Just like a yogi hits the mat for the first time, so do all us in this practice of living. 1. Love is the Light that brightens another. Share it, receive it, and keep it going. You won't lose anything...it only gets brighter. ...