Category Archives: Yoga Philosophy

Oct22

Happy

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Last night, while the rest of St. Louis was watching the Cardinals, I watched the documentary “Happy.”

The study of happiness was very interesting to learn about. What makes people happy?

A few things that stood out to me: (1) money and image do not contribute to happiness; (2) physical fitness is highly linked to happiness; (3) relationships and community are key to long life and happiness; (4) activities that bring you simple pleasure, like playing an instrument, are linked to happiness.

Then, oddly enough, this morning I began some of my teacher training pre-assignments. I watched this video of Harvard professor Tal Ben-Shahar, whose Harvard course on happiness was featured in the “Happy” documentary.  He talked about how positive psychology focuses on what works, instead of what doesn’t. He said we need to take responsibility for our own happiness, that it is a part of our true nature, and that by focusing on the good we will cultivate happiness.

One take away from this video that I am going to bring into my life is a gratitude journal. Every night, I am going to write down five things for which I am grateful. Do you do this? I think it will be a nice reflection of my day, a ritual to send me off to sleep.

Feb7

Meditation

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(source)

I’ve recently started a meditation practice.

It’s hard!

Sometimes the time flies, other times it draaaaags on.

I use the Simply Being app on my iPhone for guidance.

After reading this article from the New York Times, I realized I need to take a time out each day for myself.

Technology and social media are amazing inventions. But, what are their costs?

How many times do you wake up in the morning and immediately check your email or Facebook…or, for guys, ESPN.com?!

What a racket! All that junk separates you from yourself, it takes your mind immediately from the peaceful sleep you’ve had to the external world, where the ego is king.

I’ve started a simple morning routine that I think will help me stay grounded and bolster my creativity and clarity throughout the day.

Upon waking, I do some basic grooming, wipe the sleep from my eyes, do a few gentle yoga stretches, meditate (just for 5 minutes at this point) and journal. The whole process takes maybe 20-30 minutes. And, I feel so accomplished!

Do you practice meditation?
What’s your morning routine?
Ever taken a technology vacation?  

Jan9

It is what it is.

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So many times, I find myself on the mat and completely unable to find peace and enjoy my time. I find myself focusing on my abilities…what’s stretching, what’s fighting…

It’s a cycle; then, I’m focused on my mind’s tense, distraction and limits.

This has taught me to try approaching my practice more openly. Acknowledge there are times I get right into the groove, while I still have times it’s just not happening.

My practice is was it is.

Any way it’s expressed, your practice is your devotion to yourself. No matter how you think it measures up, it’s still a step made in your journey. Practice contentment.

Jan2

That’s so 2011

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I meant to share this before the New Year, but alas I’m a bit late…

In my classes last week, I tried to stress the idea of not only focusing on adding things to your life in the New Year. We tend to bombard ourselves with to-dos and goals each January, and I encouraged my students to approach this new start in a different way.

Instead of striving to do more, think about what you can leave behind. What can you do less of?

This notion can be applied to a yoga practice or real life.

In life and yoga, I know I can do without the complaining. What do I have to complain about, really?! Nothing…that’s what!

So, what are you going to leave in 2011?

Dec14

a great big soul

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I just finished reading “The Grapes of Wrath.” The following is Tom Joad speaking to his mother as he’s leaving the family so he won’t be caught for murdering the man who killed his friend Casy. (I’ve broken it up here so it’s easier to read…it’s a long piece of dialogue and appears as one big paragraph originally.)

Lookie, Ma. I been all day an’ all night hidin’ alone.
Guess who I been thinkin’ about? Casy!
He talked a lot. Used ta bother me.
But now I been thinkin’ what he said, an’ I remember–all of it.
Says one time he went out in the wilderness to find his own soul,
an’ he foun’ he didn’ have no soul that was his’n.
Says he foun’ he jus’ got a little piece of a great big soul.
Says a wilderness ain’t no good, ’cause he jus’ got a little piece of a great big soul.
Says a wilderness ain’t no good, ’cause his little piece of a soul wasn’t no good ‘less it was with the rest, an’ was whole.
Funny how I remember. Didn’ think I was ever listenin’.
But I know now a fella ain’t no good alone.

Namaste

Oct18

Full Moon Meditation

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Last Tuesday was a full moon. My friend Lisa and I joined 10 others at Pura Yoga to celebrate with a full moon meditation. The Kundalini meditation was led by Phoenix, a wonderful teacher. We sat in a circle, holding hands and repeated a simple chant, going around the circle taking turns with call and response.

I was nervous at first to sing the chant on my own. After the first round though, it was no biggie. It felt great to just let my voice out and hear everyone else join my in the prayer. The time flew by and I was able to totally withdraw from the external into a place of concentration, centererness (that’s a word…I swear…) and love.

After the meditation, we sat around a bit chatting, enjoying yoga tea (I die for that stuff) and treats! I couldn’t keep the smile off my face as I walked back to my car to head home. There’s just something about sharing an experience like meditation with others that creates such a powerful, lasting energy in me. I love it!

What are your thoughts on chanting? Have you tried it? Are you scared of it?

How do you practice meditation?

Oct13

I Miss Yoga Teacher Training

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For nearly a year, I drove from my parents’ suburban home into the city every Saturday to attend Global Yoga Center‘s 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. For five hours, I was surrounded by people who were on a similar path to me. We shared a passion for yoga. Though some didn’t set out to become teachers, it was more about deepening their own practice, we all taught each other how yoga manifests in individuals. I miss this time of my life dearly. It was a transformative experience that I will never forget.

In particular, I miss…

…dedicating 5 hours a week to my practice

…being exposed to different styles and teachers

…the yoga space we used for our training (Namaskar Yoga)

…listening to “This American Life” while I drove into the city

…my yoga friends, who I wish I kept in better touch with

…approaching life as a student

…learning alignment of asana and practicing it

…studying yogic texts and writing about them

As I write this list, I realize that, with the exception of a few things, I can recreate this training for myself with a bit of time and determination. I can dedicate more time to my personal practice, try new teachers and styles, experience life as an opportunity to learn (THIS article is inspiration for that) and read more about the path of yoga.

Have you attended a teacher training or workshop that you would like to return to?
What are your favorite things about practice and what are your goals in your yoga practice?

Here are a couple blog posts I’ve enjoyed lately:
How to Get Your Yoga Groove Back by Y is for Yogini
Go On, Have A Laugh by Beeyond Yoga

Oct5

Intention

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Each yoga class starts off a bit differently. Every teacher and style has a unique approach. Whether there’s a pranayama (breathing) exercise, relaxation technique or just warm-up poses, the start of a yoga class sets the tone for that day’s practice.

I like to start each practice with an intention. I feel intention helps focus your energy and makes your practice more than a physical exercise.

Some may find intention intimidating or something they can just skip over, when really it’s easier than you may think and can make a huge difference in the quality of your yoga session.

There has to be a reason you showed up on the mat to practice. The practice of yoga teaches us to turn inward and practice a journey of self discovery. Why do you practice?

Think about this not on a grand scale but on a micro one. At this very moment, as your setting up for your practice, what is motivating you to go through these poses? What do you hope to achieve in this practice today?

Try to think beyond the physical. Though mastering a particular pose is a great goal, think about what that pose represents for you.

For example, if your goal is to do a headstand, perhaps your intention is to let go of fears that hold you back from going for it. Or, maybe your intention is to trust yourself to know if you’re ready to do it or not. Or, maybe your intention is to let go of that goal so you can enjoy the rest of your practice.

Intention can take your practice to another level and open you up to a new mode of self discovery. Try it, and let me know how it goes.

Do you practice with intention? What’s your favorite intention to move from?

My intention lately has been to maintain a present mind in my practice, letting thoughts go and enjoying each pose and moment as it happens. 

Jun20

Tips for a Rewarding Yoga Practice

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Whether your a new student or have been practicing for years, the following tips may be helpful to grow your yoga practice from a physical exercise to a more meaningful spiritual experience.

Leave Judgement at the Door
Don’t judge yourself. Don’t judge others. It doesn’t matter what you did or didn’t do in your practice. All that matters is that you made it to the mat and grew any bit that you did. Honor yourself by applying this same thought to others.

Let Your Love Flow
The most amazing experiences in yoga occur when you open up physically or mentally without even trying. This is only possible when you let love lead. Allow your inner self to guide you and you’ll experience sensations you didn’t even know were possible.

Get Excited
Try not to make your practice work. Get excited to spend an hour of devotion to yourself. The only obligations you have during a yoga practice are to yourself. How extraordinary to have a chunk of time in your day to be totally self involved!

Set and Intention 
Most classes prompt this, some don’t. Either way, make sure you put a motivation behind your practice. Think about what you want to achieve in your practice, or even in your life, and devote that practice to that goal, large or small.

Live Your Yoga
Take those feelings you create on the mat to your everyday life. Bring that blissful, peaceful feeling with you to work. Recreate it when you’re feeling down. Make your yoga a life long practice and let your inner light shine!

Do you have anything to add? Were this tips helpful?

Honor the light in you and you will be able to honor that light in others!

Namaste

May26

Shanti (Peace)

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I was inspired to write this post on Saturday while volunteering Bell Garden, a community garden here in St. Louis. I was wearing a T-shirt with a peace sign on it, a Globalize This T-shirt (check them out here) to be exact.

A man who was working on his garden plot stopped me and exclaimed at how wonderful it was to see a young person representing the sign of peace. He then recalled the first peace sign he wore, a leather necklace that he had unfortunately since misplaced.

This conversation made me want to research the sign of peace, Shanti in Sanskrit.

The symbol was designed by Gerald Holtom and Eric Austen made it into this ceramic badge in 1958 for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Eventually, the symbol was embraced by the American anti-war movement and made its was from college campuses into the mainstream.

To me, the sign of peace is symbolic of creating a global community based on respect. It’s an attitude of compassion and understanding. Practice peace by approaching situations with an open mind, try to avoid giving off an energy of confrontation.

On a more personal level, achieve peace within yourself through your yoga practice. Shanti, inner peace, is found by eliminating anxieties and stress from your mind, connecting with your True Self and experiencing complete independence from the ego and external forces.

The path to enlightenment, through your asana (physical yoga practice) and meditation will help you reach a feeling of peace within. With inner peace, you will be able to let that peace shine through to the world and truly embrace the symbol of peace.

To achieve peace of mind, I suggest integrating pranayama (breath control) into your daily routine. Simple pranayama can be sitting still and focusing on the rise and fall of your chest as you take air in and out of the lungs.

I will be posting more pranayama techniques in upcoming posts, so stay tuned!