Archive for ‘yoga’
Yoga Sutra 1.33- The Lighted Path
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
One of the many gifts of a yoga practice is the way we can find ourselves in the space of peace or equanimity. There are many ways to practice yoga, and yet often the end result is this space of peaceful ease, sometimes called grace or bliss. How delicious!
One of the ways to practice yoga is through studying the sacred texts, like the Yoga Sutras or the Baghavad Gita. I was recently reading Sri Swami Satchidananda’s translation of The Yoga Sutras and came across this advice, “Whether you are interested in reaching Samadhi (bliss) or plan to ignore Yoga entirely, I would advise you to remember at least this one Sutra. It will be very helpful to you in keeping a peaceful mind in your daily life. You may not have any great goal in your life, but just try to follow this one Sutra very well and you will see its efficacy.”
The Sutra he is referring to is 1.33. “By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and disregard toward the wicked, the mind-stuff retains its undisturbed calmness.”
Ah, can you imagine a sense of undisturbed calmness in your mind, body and spirit? Delicious! So what is Patanjali speaking of in this Sutra? He suggests that in your daily life you will come across people expressing 4 energetic forms. They are sukha or happiness, duhka or unhappiness, punya or virtuousness and apunya or wickedness. The keys he gives for maintaining your sense of well-being in light of these energies are friendliness, compassion, delight, and indifference or disregard.
As you come upon a happy person, find a sense of friendliness to them. Recognize that there may be some old habits which may create some other response to someone’s happiness other than friendliness. Apparently even 4000 years ago people would act in a less than friendly way when approached by other’s happiness. Take a breath and ignite in you a friendly response. It will be a selfless act that all, including you, will benefit from.
Patanjali then suggests that when you come upon an unhappy person, reach inward and ignite compassion for them. Your feeling of well-being will be energized by compassion, rather than being sucked out of you in feeling sadness or even empathy toward them. You certainly will not help others by becoming unhappy as well.
The third interaction is when you come upon one who is virtuous. How delightful to see true virtue being expressed, and to inspire it within you! Let virtuousness in others be the lighted path for you to follow, with a heart that sings delight.
Then lastly, what do you do when you are in the presence of wickedness? Indifference is the key, he says. This one can often be confusing, as we may believe he is suggesting that we do nothing about wickedness. Not true. He is saying that when in its presence do not react with anything else other than indifference when it is in your face, because any action you will take at that point will be like pouring oil on a fire. Once away from the wickedness, your actions, centered in your undisturbed calmness, will be virtuous, compassionate and friendly. What magic you will create!
Happy – Friendly Unhappy – Compassion Virtuous – Delight Wicked – Indifference
And away we go….
Posted in Articles, Inspirations from Class, yoga, Yoga Philosophy | 1 Comment »
Fairy Godmother or Dream Squasher?
Monday, December 19th, 2011
The power of Yoga permeates our practice no matter which angle we approach it from. As we stretch, breathe bigger, quiet the mind and/or challenge our bodies things begin to change. A broadening of ourselves cracks open and we begin to see new possibilities on many levels. What we believed to be impossible at one point in our lives begins to seem not only possible but is already happening in our lives and all around us. We begin to dream of new possibilities, and see them realized.
As I was biking the island yesterday I began to have these thoughts and images around how we relate to one another when it comes to dreaming. It seems that there is a cultural conditioning, which is well accepted, to be what I will call a Dream Squasher. We may not realize we have that habit, or condition. We may even validate our actions with reasoning like, “but I need to help them out so they don’t get hurt,” or “I need to speak my truth.” In the end what we are inflicting on one another is another opinion (often unasked for) that pulls the rug out from the dreaming process.
Do you recognize this behavior in yourself? Want to set it free? First recognize your habitual responses that start in the gut and find their way to your tongue that are less than supportive, or down right undermining. You’ll also need to be clearly aware of when someone is sharing a dream, notice your conditioned need to squash it, and take a breath.
Here is your time to step onto the platform called supportive. No Fairy Godmother (nor Godfather) leaves home without this bit of magic. If you want to become a Fairy Godmother then first you will need to learn to charge your responses and words with the magic of support, inspiration and empowerment. These powerful three are the fairy dust we all are brightened and encouraged by.
Support is the way in which we keep something or someone “upright”. We sustain and provide help when asked for, and belief in the dream. We even stretch our own awareness to see how this dream will and can become a reality.
Inspiration is a stimulus energy that helps the creative process to mature. It is like compost that nourishes the dreaming process. There is the moment when we first begin to share our dreams that catches our breath, and we await the next “inspiration.” The Fairy Godmother gets to stimulate that inspiration, that intake of new ideas, and breathes energy into it.
Empowerment is the fine art of creating space for power to be declared. We bring the quality of esteem alive by giving high regard and consideration to another’s ideas or dreams which is like hypercharging the concept. With great dexterity we step aside and create the space for the manifestation of another’s dream. Pow!
Our transformation is complete as we begin to hear our words transform from discouraging, disapproval, and disempowering to our magic 3 – support, inspiration and empowerment. Responds like, “what are you thinking”, or “did you consider…” become, “wow, that’s sounds wonderful” or “I love hearing how excited you are with this idea, and I know you can bring it alive with the passion you are feeling.”
As with many transformational processes, the “feel good” quality is symbiotic. The benefits are felt by both the dreamer and you. There is such a rush when you are dreaming your dream and someone else creates the space and energy for it to be realized. As you support another that rush flies through you as well. I guess that’s why it is often called divine. Here is to more of us on the path of Fairydom.
Posted in Inspirations from Class, Spirit, Uncategorized, yoga | No Comments »
Yoga Teacher Training in Key West
Friday, October 14th, 2011
I just met with Amy from Stay Fit Studio and we are delighted to announce that our 2011-2012 Yoga Teacher Training program will be held in their beautiful studio. It is a spacious room with mirrors, a wooden floor and plenty of room for us to explore the practice of yoga, teaching and discover who we are. Sounds like fun to me.
This will be our 5th year running this program in Key West, and we are looking forward to it. Our 200 hour program is approved by Yoga Alliance, and covers
History and Philosophy of Yoga Meditation
Breathing – Techniques, Principles and Practice
Study and practice of Asanas (postures)
Assisting and modification of poses
Physical Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology
Energy Anatomy and Physiology
Yogic Lifestyle
Understanding Sanskrit
Chanting, Bandhas, and Mudras
The Business and Ethics of Teaching Yoga
Developing Your Teaching Style and Class Format
Observation of Yoga classes
Hands on assisting of classes
Practice teaching
Self Growth for Teachers
The program includes The Forum, which meets for 20 weeks on Monday evenings from 6:30-9:30 pm and 4 weekend programs running from Dec 5- April 23. The design of the program allows you to continue to live and work here in Key West while participating in the program. With over 140 hour contact hours, and some 60 hours of self-study this program will inspire, challenge and develop self awareness and a deeper connection to both yoga and yourself.
Whether you want to simply learn more about yoga, or you feel ready to take the leap and become a yoga instructor this program will offer you the experience and opportunity, not to mention challenge you mentally, physically and spiritually.
Are you ready? We are!
Posted in Classes, Workshops, yoga | No Comments »
Key West Wellness Retreat
Friday, March 4th, 2011
I am so excited to be working with Donna Shields and Katie Haley as we collaborate in a new venture, Key West Wellness Retreats. Our first offering is coming up fast, May 12-15, 2011.
Many of you are familiar with Yoga on the Beach, and our offerings, so let me introduce you to Donna Shields and Katie Haley. Donna Shields, MS RD LD is an Integrative nutritionist, cookbook author and radio talk show host of Natural Living. Katie Haley, BS LMT, is the founder of Cosmicflower, educator, and writer. Together we will be offering an adventurous journey into wellness, while exploring many of the beautiful locations in Key West.
This 3-day program focuses on integrative nutrition and healthy cooking, aromatherapy for wellness and healing, intuitive mediation using essential oils, an organic wine tasting and yoga on the beach. Guests will also blend their own botanical perfumes to take home.
We will be using some of the beautiful gardens in Key West during this retreat that are not typically available to tourists. As an added bonus, the program is accredited for continuing education hours for Florida registered nurses and massage therapists.
Can’t make this retreat? Our next retreat is November 10-13, 2011. Key West Wellness Retreats can also create a retreat for your group or organization depending on your needs and interests.
Did I just hear a sigh of relief? I hope you’ll be able to join us soon.
Posted in Key West Secrets, Retreats, Travels, yoga | No Comments »
The Art of Yoga
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010
Recently I was pondering the concept of Art. My mind jumped with questions. What is considered Art? Does Yoga fit into that concept? Why am I thinking of all this?
When I first think of Art I think of paintings, drawings, museums and past Art classes in school. The beauty of color, form, light and shadow arise in my mind. Immediately I find myself thinking of music, the vibration and sound of instruments calling out creativity. Then I see dancers moving, expressing, and flowing with the beat and rhythm of that sound. I hear the clacking of a keyboard as a writer pulls together words that evoke emotions, sensory experiences and stories.
I think of Art as the expression of life that uplifts spirit. That brings me to yoga. The beauty that can be felt, expressed and savored during a practice uplifts me each time I step onto my mat. There is a fragrance to my practice (and it is not my mat), one of sweetness, transformation, nature and spirit. As a teacher I am double blessed, as I get to be the player and the audience as I watch others in the Art of Yoga, and the transformations that are inspired.
My teacher created a style of yoga that I continue to teach called Alchemia. Alchemia is the feminine form of alchemy, the art of transformation. We use breathe to help guide the transformation with yin nature allowing energy to move with the breath. The artist in me sees it in others as their expression shift from fear, confusion, exhaustion, or uncertainty to one of discovery, expression, joy, and bliss. Countless times a student walks into our studio, on the beach dragging with them their woes, worries, stress and concerns. I then bear witness to their recreating their thoughts, feelings and physical expressions as nature, and yoga inspire creation in them.
The Art of Yoga is one of creativity and transformation. It touches people deeply and uplifts spirit. For many who feel fractured, disconnected and limited yoga has been an elixir that bathes them with life force, connects them to source and leaves them feeling whole. Yoga as Art? I say absolutely, with a touch of magic as spirit leaps forth.
Tags: art, yoga
Posted in Articles, Inspirations from Class, Spirit, yoga | No Comments »
