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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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Tapas: Stoking the Inner Fire
Tapas is one of the five niyamas of yoga, or moral disciplines that guide yogis in their daily practice. Translated to english, Tapas means to heat or shine. Not to be confused with agni, which is often used to describe the fire of purification created through the yoga practice (and also the name of the Hindu God of fire). Instead, tapas is the act of building the inner fire, it is a process of self discipline that ultimately leads to change. Tapas in the Physical Practice of Yoga Practicing the yoga postures is one of the easiest ways to feel tapas in action. While there are some styles of yoga that are cooling,…
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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…
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5 Yoga Myths We Need To Bust
Not flexible enough, not strong enough, and not having a thin, able-body are all reasons why newbies shy away from the practice of yoga. Any yoga teacher will tell you that these factors have nothing to do with the actual practice of though. Today, I’m going to tell you why. Here are five yoga myths that need to be busted! I’m Not Flexible Enough For Yoga I hear this all the time and I can’t help but laugh. Flexibility is a byproduct of the physical practice, not an initial requirement. When I came to yoga I was far more strong than flexible. In fact, when I started my teacher training I couldn’t even…
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Understanding the Mechanics of Yoga Backbends: Your Hips and Lumbar Spine
I’m going to be honest, I absolutely hate backbending postures. That’s why I never have any expectations when entering backbending poses. It wasn’t until I fully understood the mechanics of backbending, that I started to find a little more ease with it. Don’t get me wrong, I still despise backbends, but you have to practices the poses you hate too. What Does Backbending require? In yoga, back bending and spinal extension are one and the same. In every backbending posture, the intention is to stabilize your low back and work with your natural lumbar curve. The same goes for your neck or cervical spine. You want to stabilize and utilize these natural curves,…
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How to Practice Dirga Pranayama; Three-Part Breathing
This post contains affiliate links, for more information read disclaimer Dirga Pranayama translates to three-part breathing and is often one of the first breath techniques taught to yoga practitioners. This breath helps focus our mind and invites us to tune into the sensations of our bodies. By intentionally manipulating breath into three separate parts of our body, dirga pranayama takes us into the present moment and out of worries or fears in our minds. The three areas we focus on while practicing this breath are our belly, ribs, and chest. On a daily basis, we perform very shallow breathing patterns. Predominantly, we stick to surface level chest breathing. By training ourselves in three-part…
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Benefits of Viparita Karani – Legs up the Wall
Viparita Karani or legs up the wall is by far one of my all-time favorite yoga poses! If I don’t make it to my mat one day, for whatever reason, as long as I practice this pose I feel grounded and accomplished. Legs up the wall is incredibly rejuvenating and relaxing. This pose is extremely accessible, so whether you’re a seasoned practitioner, or you’re just starting out, this pose is for you! Physical Benefits of Viparita Karani physically, this pose gently works our hamstrings and creates space in our low back. By elevating our legs, it increases circulation and drains any excess fluid. People who suffer from edema or sciatica can benefit greatly…
