March 2012
26 posts
Urdhva Dhanurasana - Full Wheel
Nothing like full wheel to start your day! Feel so energized now :)
- Stretches the chest and lungs
- Strengthens the arms and wrists, legs, buttocks, abdomen, and spine
- Stimulates the thyroid and pituitary
- Increases energy and counteracts depression
- Therapeutic for asthma, back pain, infertility, and osteoporosis
When you embark on your own personal yoga (wellness) journey, focus on health and strength over being thin and the rest will take care of itself.
Osheaga Festival: Playlist Of 2012's Line-Up →
cbc.ca
Wonder if I could teach a vinyasa class to these tracks … only one way to find out!!
Satya - right communication
Sincere honesty in grace. Not being afraid to speak your truth and express your authentic self. Not feeling threatened when listening to another’s authentic truth. Removing fear from the equation entirely. Knowing when to speak poignantly and also knowing when it is better to remain silent. Right communication, both parts, speaking and listening, in wisdom and sincerity. Mean what you say. Listen with an open heart. Satya.
“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, but spiritual beings on a human journey.”
—Chardin
When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still, and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control the breath. ~ Svatmarama, Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Design by: Gregory Ryan Klein
“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”
—Carlos Castaneda (via womenshealthmag)
“The most important things in life aren’t things.”
—Anthony J. D’Angelo (via Swanfeather Songs)
Yin and Restorative Yoga: How to get a healthy mind and body →
m.canadianliving.com
Wonderfully written article.
When I first came to yoga I never thought I could sit through a Restorative or Yin practice let alone instruct one, but boy was I wrong! I’m ashamed to admit I once walked out of a ‘slower’ type class because I thought I wasn’t doing anything. I thought, “I want to move!” What I’ve learned since, however, is that what we should all strive for is balance.
As tell my students, we are in a constant state of doing. While in this state our sympathetic nervous system is active and when we are stressed this part of our nervous system is over-active. By slowing down and being, we allow our body to find its equilibrium. We give the sympathetic nervous system, the system responsible for our flight or fight responses, the ability to relax and allow our parasympathetic nervous system, the system responsible for unconscious functions, such as our circulatory and digestive systems, to respond as necessary. When these two systems are out of synch, we can suffer from cardiovascular disease, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety disorders, physical injuries and many other common issues prevalent in our modern world.
By restoring this balance we increase energy levels, reduce muscular tension and clear paths for our breath to move freely throughout the body, which ultimately leads to a relaxed state of mind. A balanced practice should include both active and restorative sessions and that’s why I teach both types! Check out my schedule for a class near you: www.myyogajourney.com/classes
“Always be yourself… unless you suck.”
—Joss Whedon (via quote-book)
Let Your Breath Be Your Teacher
Yoga has been called a “breath practice” by many experienced yogis. That’s partially because many styles of yoga link breathing and moving. But it’s also because the breath can reveal the truth about our condition, even when the external form of the body does not. The breath never lies!
When we practice yoga, our hope is to approach our edge in each pose, while keeping focused and centered, with the breath full and steady throughout. If you’re ever unsure whether you’re doing too much or not enough, listen to your breath. If you can’t keep breathing evenly in a posture, it’s a signal that you should back off to a simpler version of the asana—or take a rest.
This is also true of our daily lives. When you find yourself feeling tense, stressed, or overworked, try checking in with your breath. If it’s even, calm, and rhythmic, then you’re probably going to be OK. If it’s choppy, short, and strained, then take a break, find a moment of relaxation, and wait for it to return to normal.
(via @Yoga_Journal)
“Don’t do easy. Do great.”
—My new motto
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
—Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss! We have lots of books by and about Dr. Seuss in our collection (as well as eBooks) - check one out today! (via nypl)
