Can you reach "beyond" your fingertips? Can you expand your lungs fuller than you ever have in your life? The ability to EXTEND and EXPAND is at the root of a yogasana practice.
In life - all things either EXTEND and EXPAND - or - they CONTRACT and DIE. The entire universe is expanding outwards and extending itself in a forward motion.
It hurts for a new yoga student to extend and expand. They feel the tightness in their muscles and skin, and they want to stop. They don't want to feel discomfort.
But we must move through discomfort to feel comfort - we must extend and expand or we will contract and die. There is no middle ground. Their is no resting place.
When we extend and expand we feel vibrant, alive and confident as we're moving in the same direction as all of life. When we stop extending and expanding - we contract and die and feel as if life is a struggle.
Extend and expand and feel life move through you fully.
Namaste
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Royal Poses (Raja-asanas)
Raja means ROYAL in Sanskrit - Asana means poses. The "Rajasanas" of yoga are Sirsasana (headstand) and Sarvangasana (shoulderstand).
Sirsasana is known as the "King" of all asanas, while Sarvangasana is known as the "Queen" of poses.
Sarvangasana should ALWAYS follow Sirsasana in practice. You can have poses in-between headstand and shoulderstand. Yet, shoulderstand should always be done when a headstand is done.
Sarvangasana can be performed without doing Sirsasana in a practice.
Think of it like this. A King doesn't rule well without his Queen. But a Queen has no problem ruling on her own.
Enjoy the poses.
Sirsasana is known as the "King" of all asanas, while Sarvangasana is known as the "Queen" of poses.
Sarvangasana should ALWAYS follow Sirsasana in practice. You can have poses in-between headstand and shoulderstand. Yet, shoulderstand should always be done when a headstand is done.
Sarvangasana can be performed without doing Sirsasana in a practice.
Think of it like this. A King doesn't rule well without his Queen. But a Queen has no problem ruling on her own.
Enjoy the poses.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Let the wind of change move through you.
Vayu is the Hindu god of wind. Agni is the Hindu god of fire. Both Fire and Wind have transformative attributes. Yet, most people in the West only think of using FIRE (Agni) to make changes within themselves.
What I mean by this is that most people think that they will only see a change in their bodies if they work "harder" in their yoga practice. They think they need a "good workout" - they need to "sweat" - they need to "feel the burn" - Fire - Agni.
However, the changing power of "moving air" - breathing - accessing Vayu - can change the body just as dramatically. In fact, the practice of consciously breathing while performing asanas will calm the mind - thus enabling the brain to emit "relaxation" neuro-peptides throughout the nervous system. This will allow the muscles to relax and open and stretch further than you could by using the burning power of force.
I encourage you to get to know VAYU - the Hindu God of Wind - during your next practice.
What I mean by this is that most people think that they will only see a change in their bodies if they work "harder" in their yoga practice. They think they need a "good workout" - they need to "sweat" - they need to "feel the burn" - Fire - Agni.
However, the changing power of "moving air" - breathing - accessing Vayu - can change the body just as dramatically. In fact, the practice of consciously breathing while performing asanas will calm the mind - thus enabling the brain to emit "relaxation" neuro-peptides throughout the nervous system. This will allow the muscles to relax and open and stretch further than you could by using the burning power of force.
I encourage you to get to know VAYU - the Hindu God of Wind - during your next practice.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
The Art of Sequencing
Kate is doing a workshop this weekend - Saturday & Sunday - February 10th & 11th on "The Art of Sequencing" The times are 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. both days. You can come on Saturday or Sunday or both. Saturday will focus on the physical attributes of sequencing poses. For example - why you would do shoulderstand AFTER headstand. Sunday will focus on the "energetic" sequencing of poses. For example - why you would do forward folds to relieve anxiety and why you would do a backbend sequence to alieviate depression.
Please call Kate if you'd like to attend. She'll reserve a spot for you.
Namaste
Please call Kate if you'd like to attend. She'll reserve a spot for you.
Namaste
Friday, February 2, 2007
We made the papers!
Today's Valley Times - 2/2/07.
Article entitled: "There's no excuse not to exercise"
Read it here - http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/alameda_county/pleasanton/16605697.htm
Article entitled: "There's no excuse not to exercise"
Read it here - http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/alameda_county/pleasanton/16605697.htm
Constantly Practicing Detachment
Yoga Sutra 1:12 says - "Abhyasa vairagyabhyam tan nirodhah"
So what does that mean? Abhyasa means constant practice. Vairagyabhyam means detachment from desires. Nirodhah means to extinguish (nirodhah and nirvana have the same meaning). Thus, this sutra says that by practicing detachment we can extinguish the thoughts in our mind that keep us from experiencing peace.
Are our WANTS every satisified? Aren't our NEEDS always met? Craving, desire and wanting more only leads to suffering (dukkha) Practicing detachment from our wants brings peace of mind.
This is a hard pill to swallow for many people. But just try practicing it for today. See what happens. You may just feel better by the end of the day.
Om shanti shanti shanti
So what does that mean? Abhyasa means constant practice. Vairagyabhyam means detachment from desires. Nirodhah means to extinguish (nirodhah and nirvana have the same meaning). Thus, this sutra says that by practicing detachment we can extinguish the thoughts in our mind that keep us from experiencing peace.
Are our WANTS every satisified? Aren't our NEEDS always met? Craving, desire and wanting more only leads to suffering (dukkha) Practicing detachment from our wants brings peace of mind.
This is a hard pill to swallow for many people. But just try practicing it for today. See what happens. You may just feel better by the end of the day.
Om shanti shanti shanti
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Do no harm
Ahimsa - non-violence - is the first of the five Yamas (moral restraints) outlined in the eightfold path of Yoga by Patanjali.
None of us think that we're violent. Yet, often we harbor "non-kind" thoughts towards ourselves and others. How many times have we said to ourselves ..."I hate him...I hate that....I hate myself for doing that?"
Do no harm in word, thought or deed. Loving kindness is what the world needs and what we all desire. We each have to be the wellspring from which this expression comes forth in order to experience it in our individual and collective worlds.
Practicing ahimsa is practicing yoga - and - just like practicing asanas (poses) - practicing ahimsa will HEAL your body!
Namaste -
None of us think that we're violent. Yet, often we harbor "non-kind" thoughts towards ourselves and others. How many times have we said to ourselves ..."I hate him...I hate that....I hate myself for doing that?"
Do no harm in word, thought or deed. Loving kindness is what the world needs and what we all desire. We each have to be the wellspring from which this expression comes forth in order to experience it in our individual and collective worlds.
Practicing ahimsa is practicing yoga - and - just like practicing asanas (poses) - practicing ahimsa will HEAL your body!
Namaste -
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