Kleshas! I love them cause I've been caught on every single one of these spiderwebs and for the most part, all it takes is realizing it to release myself out of their sticky trap.
Ignorance - misconception of reality. Believing the temporary to be eternal, the impure is the pure, and in scriptural terms, 'wo unto them who call good evil'...yup, ignorance...can rain on your parade every time.
I-am-ness - identifying ourselves with our ego. Creating a self-image that we believe is us, but it really isn't (yes, definite root in ignorance, but you see the different slant). This untrue image can include internal (I am messy) and external (I am a lazy person) false projections that trap us.
Attachment - attraction for things that bring satisfaction to oneself. Shop-aholics-R-us! The desire for pleasure rules and creates mindless actions and blind sighted vision. We can not conceive being happy without attaining what we desire. Even when attainment is obtained, the pleasure fades shortly and the cycle continues.
Repulsion - Opposite of attachment. I'll be happy when this ceases (rather than when I get it). I first learned about this one when loud landscaping machinery was operating while I was trying to eat a peaceful lunch and take a meditative walk by the river. Ha! Talk about your object lesson. If I cannot avoid what I do not like, then I will suffer until it is removed. Just thinking about unpleasantness will produce pain. Sounds like a Martyr's-R-us! I know because I founded the chain... ;)
Will to live - The deepest and most applicable Klesha, this one usually will remain intact until our last breathe. We know that death cometh, but the fear of it is embedded in the unconscious.
Seeing the Kleshas, acknowledging them is all the simple ones need to be released. Gross Kleshas are released with meditation, cleansing and seeking wisdom. Being free of the Kleshas allows us to see clearly, both our reality and our true nature in it.
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Mudras
Mudras are those cool hand positions you see in the martial arts movies. ;)
Each finger a different neural network and polarity charge in the biomagnetic field, placing them in certain positions will bring about a unique awareness. It also acts like a penny in the shoe. It reminds me of what it is I'm trying to accomplish in my meditation and yoga practice. There is power in subtlety.
I've yet to find too many reminders to be connected to God and my fellow man, to ground myself, to expand my awareness to all, or to balance each chakra. They are fun like that, not to mention the cool martial artist persona that they elicit.
There is power in the hands. Ponder on the uplift of a pat on the back, the healing hands of massage, the tenderness elicited by the caress of a loved one on the side of our face, the security of a fellow hand to hold.
My hands are together when the good in me salutes the good in you~Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Each finger a different neural network and polarity charge in the biomagnetic field, placing them in certain positions will bring about a unique awareness. It also acts like a penny in the shoe. It reminds me of what it is I'm trying to accomplish in my meditation and yoga practice. There is power in subtlety.
I've yet to find too many reminders to be connected to God and my fellow man, to ground myself, to expand my awareness to all, or to balance each chakra. They are fun like that, not to mention the cool martial artist persona that they elicit.
There is power in the hands. Ponder on the uplift of a pat on the back, the healing hands of massage, the tenderness elicited by the caress of a loved one on the side of our face, the security of a fellow hand to hold.
My hands are together when the good in me salutes the good in you~Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Meditation Practices
We had a lesson on loving in my Women's group at church. It was a reflective time and one in which I wish I could have just led the group in a Tonglen Meditation...the most symbolic and internalizing brief lesson on loving that I have ever experienced.
Tonglen teaches that rather than avoid things that make us uncomfortable, we breath it in and make space in our hearts for the feeling, thought, or experience to be understood, transformed and then released.
One breathes in the uncomfort, acknowledging that it exists, trusting that it is there for a reason and then exhales a compassion, a peace, and a witness. This continues for a few breathes and then extends to all those in one's family who may be experiencing that same uncomfort. Breathing it in, acknowledging, trusting, and then releasing with compassion, a peace, and a witness. This then extends to one's neighbors who are experiencing this same uncomfort with the same breathing intention. Then to one's whole community, then to one's country, to the whole world, then to all who have lived and are yet to live.
After expanding out, it retracts through each tier back to the individual.
This practice awakened me to my connectedness to others. It was a whole new realm of understanding and compassion to myself and my precious fellow beings. Funny enough, it was the most foreign to offer that compassion and understanding to myself, family and neighbors, but definitely the foudation. As the famous mandate says, "Love they neighbor as thyself"...Gotta realize how precious you are before you can truly love another.
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Tonglen teaches that rather than avoid things that make us uncomfortable, we breath it in and make space in our hearts for the feeling, thought, or experience to be understood, transformed and then released.
One breathes in the uncomfort, acknowledging that it exists, trusting that it is there for a reason and then exhales a compassion, a peace, and a witness. This continues for a few breathes and then extends to all those in one's family who may be experiencing that same uncomfort. Breathing it in, acknowledging, trusting, and then releasing with compassion, a peace, and a witness. This then extends to one's neighbors who are experiencing this same uncomfort with the same breathing intention. Then to one's whole community, then to one's country, to the whole world, then to all who have lived and are yet to live.
After expanding out, it retracts through each tier back to the individual.
This practice awakened me to my connectedness to others. It was a whole new realm of understanding and compassion to myself and my precious fellow beings. Funny enough, it was the most foreign to offer that compassion and understanding to myself, family and neighbors, but definitely the foudation. As the famous mandate says, "Love they neighbor as thyself"...Gotta realize how precious you are before you can truly love another.
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Pranayama
Pranayama=The practice of breathing.
Considering how long we can go without exercise (years), food (weeks), water (days), and air (minutes), where is all the hype about the breathe???
We get nagged about exercising constantly, every where you turn is a caloric counter ap, and what nutritional column has not told you to drink your water? But why isn't the breathe mentioned...EVER?
It is in yoga. It is definitely given the understanding, respect, and practice it deserves.
It is an immediate effect, working with the breathe. It takes me to a noticeable change in state. It is freeing, refreshing, and absolutely divine in some practices. I recall after taking my first breathe (which happened within this past year) that it was the most delicious thing I had ever experienced. I was going to do more of it...it was free after all. ;)
Pranayama...a small and simple thing that brings to pass great ones.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Considering how long we can go without exercise (years), food (weeks), water (days), and air (minutes), where is all the hype about the breathe???
We get nagged about exercising constantly, every where you turn is a caloric counter ap, and what nutritional column has not told you to drink your water? But why isn't the breathe mentioned...EVER?
It is in yoga. It is definitely given the understanding, respect, and practice it deserves.
It is an immediate effect, working with the breathe. It takes me to a noticeable change in state. It is freeing, refreshing, and absolutely divine in some practices. I recall after taking my first breathe (which happened within this past year) that it was the most delicious thing I had ever experienced. I was going to do more of it...it was free after all. ;)
Pranayama...a small and simple thing that brings to pass great ones.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
BodhiYin-Restorative Yoga
Truly, I misunderstood this yoga the most. Only putting stock in restorative yoga if I was rundown, convalescing, or really sore. The reality is...it is good anytime and is a major rejuvenating time.
Legs up the wall...MMMM! It is such a life saver when you are spent. 5 min. is equivalent to an hour of sleep...seriously, but it also feels good anytime. Feeling the arteries of the legs having to pump against gravity creates a special connection for me as I 'zone in' and experience sensations I normally block out and most certainly take for granted.
Bodhiyin yoga is based on supported poses that allow you to release in positions that you can not do on your own. Draping over bolsters to open hearts, backs, feet and heads allows you to let go and feel some divine stretches. Gently approaching edges with time to ponder produces a fruitful field for meditation and it is often deeper than savasana after a flow.
Truly, a crossed flat bolster over a round one and stretches that I get to experience on them are next to godliness.
Thank you, Bodhiyin!
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Legs up the wall...MMMM! It is such a life saver when you are spent. 5 min. is equivalent to an hour of sleep...seriously, but it also feels good anytime. Feeling the arteries of the legs having to pump against gravity creates a special connection for me as I 'zone in' and experience sensations I normally block out and most certainly take for granted.
Bodhiyin yoga is based on supported poses that allow you to release in positions that you can not do on your own. Draping over bolsters to open hearts, backs, feet and heads allows you to let go and feel some divine stretches. Gently approaching edges with time to ponder produces a fruitful field for meditation and it is often deeper than savasana after a flow.
Truly, a crossed flat bolster over a round one and stretches that I get to experience on them are next to godliness.
Thank you, Bodhiyin!
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Grounding and a Firm Foundation
Can you ground too much? Nope.
Especially in our culture, removed as we are from the earth, natural light, and foot connecting to soil means of traveling. It is something that builds over time and something I gain from every yoga practice I do.
One practice to ground is to press into the earth when standing, sitting, or kneeling. It is a simple thing, as is visualizing, but life changing like a hinge on which so much weight can easily turn.
I grew up amidst mountains and was surprised on my last tubing trip on a mountain how easy it was to ground myself and feel so deliciously solid. Upon further reflection, all my favorite childhood memories were in the mountains at my grandparent's home, skiing, and hiking. I also find myself grounding effortlessly when I am on dedicated temple grounds, oft considered the 'Mountain of the Lord'. It was quite the epiphany to me as I found grounding such a feat to accomplish and maintain. It also made me realize why I felt so out of place in the low lying hills and flatlands back east. Trees are amazing, but I grew out of the mountain side.
Tadasana (mountain pose), unsurprisingly, has become quite significant for me now. It is now longer just standing. It is a pressing, visualizing MY mountains, and reaping the delicious solidarity on which to build.
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Especially in our culture, removed as we are from the earth, natural light, and foot connecting to soil means of traveling. It is something that builds over time and something I gain from every yoga practice I do.
One practice to ground is to press into the earth when standing, sitting, or kneeling. It is a simple thing, as is visualizing, but life changing like a hinge on which so much weight can easily turn.
I grew up amidst mountains and was surprised on my last tubing trip on a mountain how easy it was to ground myself and feel so deliciously solid. Upon further reflection, all my favorite childhood memories were in the mountains at my grandparent's home, skiing, and hiking. I also find myself grounding effortlessly when I am on dedicated temple grounds, oft considered the 'Mountain of the Lord'. It was quite the epiphany to me as I found grounding such a feat to accomplish and maintain. It also made me realize why I felt so out of place in the low lying hills and flatlands back east. Trees are amazing, but I grew out of the mountain side.
Tadasana (mountain pose), unsurprisingly, has become quite significant for me now. It is now longer just standing. It is a pressing, visualizing MY mountains, and reaping the delicious solidarity on which to build.
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
The Bodhi Flow - Vinyasa practice
The Bodhi Flow is an amazing vinyasa and unifying workout. It is a set series of movements, tiered and layered in such a way that warms, opens, strengthens and thoroughly readies you for an amazing asana practice, in addition to unifying body and mind.
It was exactly what I needed coming from an athletic background to consider yoga worth my time. It was my bridge to fully appreciate all aspects of yoga, not just my "great workout".
When I first did the Bodhi Flow, I was stunned that I could feel so good while I worked out and completely blown away that I could feel more energized when I was done. I was trained early on that if I didn't have to take a two hour nap after my workouts, I didn't work out hard enough. The Bodhi Flow truly liberated me to a wide realm of 'feel good'.
Thank you Bodhi Flow for the energy, strength, and self-unification.
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
It was exactly what I needed coming from an athletic background to consider yoga worth my time. It was my bridge to fully appreciate all aspects of yoga, not just my "great workout".
When I first did the Bodhi Flow, I was stunned that I could feel so good while I worked out and completely blown away that I could feel more energized when I was done. I was trained early on that if I didn't have to take a two hour nap after my workouts, I didn't work out hard enough. The Bodhi Flow truly liberated me to a wide realm of 'feel good'.
Thank you Bodhi Flow for the energy, strength, and self-unification.
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
BodhiSpin - Kundalini style yoga
When I first experienced Kundalini I never intended to practice it again. I recall reading about new yoga teachers that preferred Kundalini to any other style. It was incomprehensible to me. I can only imagine what I would have thought could I have seen my current self who not only loves doing kundalini, but delights in teaching it.
Kundalini tends to bring up the "garbage" or inconvenient issues that we would rather not address and have hence stuffed away. I had quite a bit of garbage stirred up for that first Bodhispin class. Had I not been incredibly judgemental of that garbage no uncomfort would have been felt. As it was, instead of just being aware and letting things flow and settle, I fought, shamed, and judged myself severely. I made myself sick from the sheer constriction of the judgment.
Kundalini is a great opportunity to 'zone in' to the body, to be aware and attentive. Often during repetitive movements, exercise or mundane tasks we 'zone out'. During new movements or tasks, we focus on what is coming next. Bodhispin combines repetition with progression that provides a foundation in which I am safe to be aware of my body and fully 'zone in'. The meditation at the end is sublime and the ultimate check in with the assistance of a mantra and breath to keep an aware focus. Thankfully, as with all things, meditation comes easier and more enjoyable with practice.
My thanks to the swami that saw our need for Kundalini Yoga and broke with tradition 30 some years ago and publically shared this powerful practice.
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Kundalini tends to bring up the "garbage" or inconvenient issues that we would rather not address and have hence stuffed away. I had quite a bit of garbage stirred up for that first Bodhispin class. Had I not been incredibly judgemental of that garbage no uncomfort would have been felt. As it was, instead of just being aware and letting things flow and settle, I fought, shamed, and judged myself severely. I made myself sick from the sheer constriction of the judgment.
Kundalini is a great opportunity to 'zone in' to the body, to be aware and attentive. Often during repetitive movements, exercise or mundane tasks we 'zone out'. During new movements or tasks, we focus on what is coming next. Bodhispin combines repetition with progression that provides a foundation in which I am safe to be aware of my body and fully 'zone in'. The meditation at the end is sublime and the ultimate check in with the assistance of a mantra and breath to keep an aware focus. Thankfully, as with all things, meditation comes easier and more enjoyable with practice.
My thanks to the swami that saw our need for Kundalini Yoga and broke with tradition 30 some years ago and publically shared this powerful practice.
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Teaching
I never intended to teach. I was burned out a bit on teaching. I'd taught throughout my life on a weekly or daily basis with piano students, elementary students, church classes, and constantly with homeschool. I was ready for a break. I was ready for something that was just for me.
After my yoga teacher training, my personal yoga practice became what I knew my yoga experience could be. It was enlightening, lifting, relieving, invigorating, smooth, flowing, meditative. My container became enlarged, and yet, I could not hold all the 'incredible-ness' I was so gratefully receiving. It was time to give and I needed a channel into which I could pour.
I had never considered teaching in a gym. The yoga I cultivated was very authentic and I would not find it viable to teach piyo or the mere biproduct of yoga--the incredible muscle development. I needed a venue which would allow me to be true to the yoga that made my life so rich.
Thanks to Tonglen Meditations, I have been able to develop an incredible love for my fellow man, especially my neighbors and city members. So the opening of yoga classes at the YMCA has been the perfect space. I am so grateful to give to the Y as they provided our family with a pass while we experienced military deployment. I am so grateful to give to my fellow city members as my love and appreciation for them is great. I am so grateful for the yoga studio at the Y as it is a great floor that won't hurt my knees and the classes were already there and waiting for me.
It is a graceful experience and I love it!
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
After my yoga teacher training, my personal yoga practice became what I knew my yoga experience could be. It was enlightening, lifting, relieving, invigorating, smooth, flowing, meditative. My container became enlarged, and yet, I could not hold all the 'incredible-ness' I was so gratefully receiving. It was time to give and I needed a channel into which I could pour.
I had never considered teaching in a gym. The yoga I cultivated was very authentic and I would not find it viable to teach piyo or the mere biproduct of yoga--the incredible muscle development. I needed a venue which would allow me to be true to the yoga that made my life so rich.
Thanks to Tonglen Meditations, I have been able to develop an incredible love for my fellow man, especially my neighbors and city members. So the opening of yoga classes at the YMCA has been the perfect space. I am so grateful to give to the Y as they provided our family with a pass while we experienced military deployment. I am so grateful to give to my fellow city members as my love and appreciation for them is great. I am so grateful for the yoga studio at the Y as it is a great floor that won't hurt my knees and the classes were already there and waiting for me.
It is a graceful experience and I love it!
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Lord of the Fishes-Matsyendrasana
Some of the yoga asanas are named after what they are like head to knee pose; an animal like the king pidgeon pose; and some are named after sages.
Tantric Yoga
Tantric means Loom or Weave in Sanskrit.
Tranta Yoga is one of the 5 philosophies of Yoga. It is the Yoga of Awareness. The other four include wisdom, serving, loving, and discipline.
Tantric yoga is awareness of your body and its integral connection with your spirit. It teaches that your body is a temple, a magnificent gift to be understood and used, not discarded as liability, a hinderance, or worthless. That when one fully integrates with the body anything can be accomplished. That there is divinity in even the most mundane.
Beautiful.
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Tranta Yoga is one of the 5 philosophies of Yoga. It is the Yoga of Awareness. The other four include wisdom, serving, loving, and discipline.
Tantric yoga is awareness of your body and its integral connection with your spirit. It teaches that your body is a temple, a magnificent gift to be understood and used, not discarded as liability, a hinderance, or worthless. That when one fully integrates with the body anything can be accomplished. That there is divinity in even the most mundane.
Beautiful.
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Monday, January 16, 2012
Lesson from my muscles
The theory on how muscles work is fascinating. It is a beautiful choreography between the cells and their substances. In essence it is that they cinch up to contract and release to lengthen.
The lesson is one of attraction and releasing. I can only pull my muscles together, not push. I can only release to relax, not push them apart.
As with all things physical, I've found a metaphysical/spiritual/emotional counterpart. I can only pull, attract or ask in life. Anytime I've tried to do otherwise (push, make or demand) an atrocious backfire blows up in my face.
As with my muscles, a releasing and relaxing is required afterwards. A yin and yang if you will with regards to receiving and giving, this pulling and releasing has a renewing, recycling, balancing effect that benefits me and all within my influence.
Great lesson, body, thank you!
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
The lesson is one of attraction and releasing. I can only pull my muscles together, not push. I can only release to relax, not push them apart.
As with all things physical, I've found a metaphysical/spiritual/emotional counterpart. I can only pull, attract or ask in life. Anytime I've tried to do otherwise (push, make or demand) an atrocious backfire blows up in my face.
As with my muscles, a releasing and relaxing is required afterwards. A yin and yang if you will with regards to receiving and giving, this pulling and releasing has a renewing, recycling, balancing effect that benefits me and all within my influence.
Great lesson, body, thank you!
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Friday, January 13, 2012
What I love about yoga...
Yoga in Sanskrit means 'yoke' as in to unite or unify. It is what I love about yoga. My body and mind work together as an integrated and united whole. It produces a beautiful harmony that has unleashed an indescribable love and appreciation for my body, mind, and mind body connection. "The worth of a soul" and "If you are not one, you are not mine" have taken on a whole new meaning as they are likened personally.
"Take Care..."
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
"Take Care..."
Namaste.
http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)