Yoga
Asana, meditation and philosophy.
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Asana & Prana: The Vital Life Energy
Prana is the vital life energy that flows through every living thing on this earth. In Chinese medicine this energy is referred to as Chi. Many ancient cultures have an understanding of this energy, and it’s referenced in storytelling, traditional medicinal practices, and yogic philosophy. Understanding prana, and the subtle body systems, can drastically change the way you approach your asana practice. Prana and the Asana So what do the yoga postures, or asana, have to do with prana? The yoga postures are practiced for a number of reasons. One of those reasons, is to help regulate the energetic body. Certain postures tap into these energy centers known as chakras, and can help…
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Hatha Yoga: How to Approach the Theory and Practice
Hatha Yoga is a traditional approach to modern asana or posture practice. While Hatha yoga is derived from ancient texts such as the Upanishads and Vedic teachings, its approach is all encompassing. My favorite modern day resource on Hatha Yoga is The Hatha Yoga Pradipika. This book is used in teacher trainings and workshops all over the globe! It is one of the most comprehensive resources that bridges the gap between traditional yoga and modern day asana. A Brief History of Hatha Yoga Despite the belief that hatha derives from the words ha, meaning sun, and tha, meaning moon. Hatha yoga actually translates to “with force or great effort”. Hatha was one of…
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How to Practice Ishvara Pranidhana: Surrender to a Higher Source
The final niyama in yoga’s eight limbed path is ishvara pranidhana, or surrder to a higher source. The yoga niyamas are the second limb of the eight limbed path, and are referred to as mental observances. Both the yamas and niyamas are the foundational teachings in yoga philosophy, and Ishvara Pranidhana is the perfect niyama to summarize the first two limbs of practice. One of my favorite resources regarding this topic is The Yamas and Niyamas, Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Principles by Deborah Adele. Before diving into the topic of surrender, the idea of a higher source is personalized to each practitioner. Traditional texts may refer to this higher source as God, or Brama…
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How to Practice Saucha, Purity
The yoga niyamas are the second limb of the eight-limbed path of yoga. Similar to the yamas, students should have a solid understanding and application of the niyamas before diving into the practice of yoga asana or yoga postures. While the yoga yamas are moral disciplines that focus on how you interact with the world around you, the niyamas are mental observances. As with each limb, the niyamas guide you deeper into the layers of your being, and closer to your core self. The First Niyama, Saucha Saucha means purity or cleanliness and is the first niyama of the eight-limbed path of yoga. Being the first yama, saucha effortlessly ties in the practice…
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Three Tips for Your First Ashtanga Yoga Class
Ashtanga yoga can be an intimidating practice. While the ashtanga yoga method has grown in popularity, it’s still hard to come by in a studio setting. When I first ventured into Ashtanga most of what I learned was on my own in my home yoga practice. I followed along to YouTube tutorials and David Swenson’s Ashtanga Yoga Manual for years. By the time I finally had the chance to practice in a traditional Ashtanga yoga studio I was so nervous. Here are three tips for your first ashtanga yoga class! Start with Mysore Mysore class is a traditional style of teaching and learning Ashtanga yoga. Ashtanga yoga originated in Mysore India, hence the…
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What is the Difference Between Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga?
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is one of the oldest texts that educates readers on the physical aspect of yoga, the yoga asana. Therefore, Hatha yoga has set the foundation for modern forms of the yoga asana we see today. Because of this, all forms of modern yoga could arguably fall under the branch of Hatha yoga. However, there are some key differences between Hatha yoga and the more popular Vinyasa style of practice. What is Hatha Yoga? Hatha means sun (ha) and moon (tha). The hatha yoga practice balances the right and left side of your body aka the solar and lunar energies. You can achieve this through asana, pranayama (breathwork) and meditation…
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What is the Ashtanga Yoga Tristana Method?
Ashtanga yoga is structured, challenging, and quite frankly, not everyone’s cup of tea. However, aspects of the Ashtanga yoga system can easily be applied to various lineages of yoga. By adopting the tristana method used in Ashtanga you can greatly improve your overall asana practice. Using three points of focus, the tristana method draws your awareness inward to the divine, energetic experience of yoga asana. The Tristana Method Moving beyond a strictly physical practice, despite its challenging postures, the system of Ashtanga is careful crafted around the inner workings of asana. This can be observed using the focal points of the tristana method, the breath, bandhas, and gaze. These three tools create concentration…
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Yoga Heart Openers for Backbend Prep
Heart and shoulder openers are probably my least favorite types of yoga postures. My shoulders and thoracic spine are not flexible, and I know I’m not alone. Most people have tight shoulders, whether it’s from poor posture, sitting at a desk all day, or strength training. Luckily there are many postures that tap into this space and can help you prep for your backbends. Here are my favorite yoga heart openers that stretch your shoulders and feel good too! Eagle Arms Eagle arms is one of the most underrated heart openers. It seems counterintuitive since your arms are closing off the front of your chest. However, by freeing up space through the back…
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Create Your Own Home Yoga Practice
Having a solid routine and home yoga practice is a life saver when it comes to maintaining consistency and reaping the benefits of the practice. 2020 brought to light just how reliant most of us are on our studios and gyms, and left many feeling like they couldn’t keep up with their daily yoga routine. While it’s always nice to go to class to move and breathe with your fellow students, it can also be extremely limiting if that’s the only time you get to practice on your mat. Trust me, I know it’s always easier to have the accountability of your community and teachers, but as we learned form the pandemic, it’s…
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Yoga exercises to relieve stress and anxiety
With the world slowly returning to a new state of normal after the corona virus, it can all be a little overwhelming. New stresses and old stresses bubble up to the surface, and you might be feeling a little uneasy. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Millions of others are feeling the same anxiety surrounding our current state of affairs, and that’s normal. Don’t worry though, here are some yoga exercises to help you reduce anxiety and live in a post pandemic world. Mindful Breathing Breath is vital to our bodies. Not only does breath literally keep us alive by oxygenating our blood and organs, but it also plays an important role in cueing…
