5 simple exercise that can help you to have a healthy life

What yoga is, what yoga is not.

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By Grace Hildebrand.

Yoga is  pretty popular these days. On one hand, this is awesome — the more people practicing and reaping all of the mind/body/spirit benefits, the better. On the other hand (like most things that get Westernized and become mainstream), the original roots of Yoga can get twisted and lost in translation.

This is something I have never spent loads of time thinking about — I am normally on my mat deep in my own practice. However, after a seriously sprained wrist, I was given six weeks to sit on the sidelines and just observe.

This brought up some less than comfortable emotions and I could honestly compare it to the longest roller coaster ride of my life. Who would have guessed? I am finally off the ride, and grateful for having been on it because all of that observing has given me a deeper and fiercer love and understanding of what Yoga is.

Before reaching that bright, illuminating clarity on what something is, it is often easier to start with what something is not:

Yoga is not a purely physical practice. It is not 100 chaturangas. It is not pressing crow into handstand. It is not getting your foot behind your head. It is not a one-armed handstand lotus balancing on your pinky, nor is it holding boat pose for 10 minutes.

Yoga is not about killing yourself to perform the most advanced postures and running your body to a point of insane exhaustion and injury. Yoga is not competition, comparison, or jealousy. Yoga is not about what is the trendy, newest way to get the flattest abs and ‘hottest’ body. Yoga is not drinking Chai lattes or making green smoothies in your Vitamix.

Yoga is not about mala beads, wrap bracelets, and it definitely is not about f*&@$%! Lululemon.

Phew. OK, now that we got that out of our way, we can see what is left.

What Yoga is about is bringing your mind, body and spirit in sync.

It is about surrendering. Surrendering to whatever lesson your mat has for you that day. Surrendering to life. Surrendering to your body. Surrendering to living from a place of love. It is about feeling and learning how perfect you are in your imperfections — how there are no imperfections at all. It is about burning through the story your Ego has told you, and being able to see clearly again.

Yoga is about knowing and trusting with all of your being that you are exactly where you need to be. Where you are supposed to be, with all your injuries and strengths (they are all lessons, I assure you). Where you are supposed to be, during light and darkness. Chaos and bliss. Challenges and peace.

Yoga is letting go of attachment; embracing the present moment, the adventure of the unknown, and your own perfection. Let go of attachment to the outcome of a pose, and love the journey of getting there. Love where your body is right now.

Let go of the attachment to how happy you will be when you can balance on a handstand, when you can fit back into your size four jeans, or when you buy those sweet new yoga pants — because when you get all of those things, you will still be the exact same person with the exact same struggles and issues!

Yoga helps you keep your cool when life challenges you. It is about seeing your challenges as something you get the chance to overcome. Seeing them as an exciting chance to learn from, grow, and build your strength, faith, and courage.

It is about staring your challenges in the eyes calmly, with a smirk — saying “Thank you for all you are about to teach me!” It is about learning to enjoy every part of the ride: twists, turns, bumps, sudden stops, and gracefully reaching the destination.

Yoga is about learning how to live from a place of love and compassion. A place where you are your authentic self, where you do not let fear drive you, where you can infuse faith, passion, honesty, and gratitude into every breath.

Stop making your practice into a competition with your neighbor, an unhealthy obsession, or what you think you ‘should’ be as a yogi.

Allow your Yoga to be what it truly is.

Allow your sacred practice to teach and nurture you, guide and love you.

Original post here

By Anjana Duff

What Is A Yogi?

What does a yogi look like? How does a yogi act? What are the rules and commandments of “fitting in” with the yoga crowd?

Are yogis the people with perfectly toned yoga bodies wearing Lululemon, adorned in mala beads and “om” tattoos? Are they compassionate, vegetarian saints, shopping at Whole Foods with a cart full of kale and quinoa (never any cookies or booze)?

What Defines A Yogi?

I am someone that strongly dislikes being defined or being forced to conform. I am a “rebel”. I want nothing more than to be free, to be myself, to be authentic.

I was first introduced to yoga around age nine. Instead of going to church on Sundays, I would practice yoga, read from the Bhagavad Gita and chant sanskrit mantras with my mother. Soon I realized that was odd and different from everyone else, and I wanted nothing to do with it.

Somehow drawn back to yoga in my late teens, I’ve been practicing consistently ever since. There have been times when I have wanted to give up and get out of this “yoga thing”. But I am still here, still practicing, still dedicated – now more than ever. This is my path. This is who I am.

What Does A Yogi Do?

I wear mala beads and use them to meditate. I am named after Hanuman’s mother and I am a vegetarian. I am kind, compassionate and selfish at times. I am moody and messy. I suffer, I laugh, I get fearful and ashamed. I like to look good and feel good. I love kombucha. Malbec and Stella Artois. I rock yoga pants, Ganesh t-shirts, short dresses and heels. Depending on the day, I practice yoga in silence, listening to Rihanna or jamming to Krishna Das. I like to chant and I like to party. I am spiritual, I am human.

I love yoga. Yoga can’t really be pinned down and defined, and neither can I.

So what’s a yogi to do when that concept or idea starts to become another stereotype or image to fit into?

Yoga is living, breathing and ever-changing. There are no rules. There are no exclusions. There is no conformity. You don’t have to look like anything in particular. You don’t have to act a certain way. Your Warrior II doesn’t have to look perfectly like mine. You are free to be who you are. Yoga is all accepting, all encompassing, all unifying.

Vegetarians drinking green juice, all their chakras aligned, standing on their hands in yoga pants have become an image of what yogis are. It is no more than an image and concept in people’s minds. Those things don’t define anyone.

Those practicing yoga for spiritual, mental and emotional reasons are no better or worse than those practicing for chaturanga arms, a yoga booty and six pack abs. Eventually, people practicing for the purpose of an ass-kicking workout will inevitably go deeper. Yoga does the work. It does the magic.

Yoga is about you, the practitioner. Whoever you are. It’s about knowing your true self and evolving to your fullest potential. It’s about awareness. It is about connection of all the fragmented parts of yourself, connection between yourself and others, connection of mind and body.

15 Things That Make Me A Yogi

There are no rules or definitions, but I do know some things that undoubtedly make me a yogi.

1. I practice… and practice more. It is my space, my freedom, my devotion and inspiration.
2. I am aware. I am aware of all parts of myself, all the layers. I am aware of the thoughts, emotions, aches, pains, judgements and everything in between. I am aware of the space that holds all of that.
3. I am centered and grounded.
4. I am present. I am with my breath. I am at home in my body.
5. I know myself, love myself and accept myself. And there are plenty of times when I don’t. But I know how to come out of self-judgement and self-loathing.
6. I go with the flow. I ride the waves of life and find the ease.
7. I have an ego. I remind myself that I am not my ego.
8. I see the light in everyone. I appreciate everyone as they are. I love.
9. I breathe deep and live from my heart.
10. I am flexible and supple in body and mind.
11. I am a student of life. I am always learning and evolving.
12. I don’t follow rules. I am who I am. I will never fit into any category, definition, image or concept.
13. I am authentic and honest. On and off my mat.
14. I am not all these things, all the time. But the awareness remains no matter what comes and goes on the surface. I know how to return to my center, to my most true and pure self, unified and whole.

What makes YOU a yogi?

original post here

check it out here

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Sage Patanjali

The meaning of Yoga

The word yoga means to join or unite. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali described yoga as the means by which our mind can be made still, quiet and free from all distractions. 

The goal of Yoga

Patanjali explained that when the mind is kept calm and quiet for a long time in dhyanna (meditation), we become united with god and attain salvation. When a person attains salvation he reaches the goal of Yoga. This goal is called samadhi or kaivalya. 

Requirements for Yoga 

Patanjali taught that we must practice Yoga very diligently and watchfully. Try to keep an even mind, in success and failure. He also taught us to live simply and avoid temptation.He further advised thad we must cultivate good character traits. To be friendly and compassionate, to be cheerful and to not look for faults in others and always try to improve ourselves. 

Problems on the path of Yoga 

Wise Patanjali was careful to point out the obstacles that we may face while following the path of Yoga. He warned us to beware of ignorance, self importance, anger, hatred and excessive attachement. He explained that sickness, laiziness, doubt and lack of concentration are all hurdles on this path. 

The path of Yoga  

To enable us to cultivate the good qualities, and overcome the hurdles, Patanjali laid down an eight-fold path. This unique path is known as the Ashtanga-Yoga of Patanjali. A person who follows this path is called a yogi.

I am reading a book called " Autobiography of a yogi" and I'm really enjoying it and because of that I want to share it with you!

The book is available online here 

I admit that sometimes the English is a bit challenging but keep in mind that this was written in 1946...

The other thing I wanted to share is something called 30 Days Yoga Challenge created by Erin Motz you can access it here

One of the nice things about it is the amount of time of each class, which is about 20min so if you don't have the time for 1.30hr of practice you can start slowly getting into it! Of course it will only work if you like her, but I think she's pretty down to earth and has a great energy, so why not give it a try?

If you don't really like her style you can also take it as a challenge to get over it ;) and try to really go into yourself and connect to your body and enjoy. 

It is such a good feeling when we can let go of our pre-conceived ideas and judgments and truly enjoy what is around it.

Namaste

ps. You can find more about the meaning of this word here 

"yoga provokes in us a deep transformation"

When I was little my parents took me to a couple of yoga lessons, I still remember them but it was only until few months ago that I connected the images to the practice.

A couple of years ago a friend of mine invited me to practice yoga with her, after a couple sessions she beautifully draw me the sequence of the sun salutation and I was on my on to keep the practice. When I felt it was not enough I went on a search for "my" type of yoga. 

There are so many styles and teachers and from the very beginning I felt that finding the yoga style that  was fit for me was like finding "my" GP or therapist...It is, at least for me, a very personal choice.

I feel that it had to be someone I trusted and in a style that suited my body and my rhythm. In my search I ended up finding great teachers that thought me a lot and got acquainted  with several yoga styles or methods.

One of those, and the one that inspired me to deepen my practice was Sivananda hata yoga. I had a wonderful and inspiring teacher and trough her classes I became more and more engaged with yoga both physically and spiritually.

Yoga had already been part of my life for five or so years but after I started Sivananda I feel that my practice progressed and I allowed my self to go to the next level. 

Yoga is something that inspires me everyday either it being in my own practice or the practice with my students. 

Yoga changed my life and continues to do it. It inspires me to be a better person and to share what I have learned with others.

"You alone are the author of your future- experience teaches you that. Your behavior is not an unchangeable law of nature. At every moment, you have the opportunity to change- to alter your thoughts, your speech, your actions. If you train yourself to be mindful of what you do, and ask yourself whether it is likely to lead to positive results or negative, you'll be guiding yourself in the right direction. Repeated good intentions can generate a powerful inner voice that will keep you on track. It will remind you- whenever you trap yourself in a cycle of unhappiness- that you can get out of that trap. Periodically you will have glimpses of what it is to like to be free. You make this vision a reality by acting in positive ways and letting go of misery."

 in Eight mindful steps to happiness: walking the buddha's path
by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

Soorya Namaskar or  Sun exercise

"This exercise is called soorya namaskar because it is practiced in the early morning facing the sun. The sun is considered to be the deity for health and long life. In ancient days, this exercise was a daily routine in the daily spiritual practices. One should practice this at least twelve times by repeating twelve names of the Lord Sun. This exercise is a combined process of yoga asanas and breathing. It reduces abdominal fat, brings flexibility to the spine and limbs and increases the breathing capacity; it is easier to practice asanas after doing soorya namaskar.
Before students practice the more complicated and difficult postures, the spine should acquire some flexibility. For a stiff person, the sun exercise is a boon to bring back the lost flexibility.

There are twelve spinal positions, each stretching various ligaments and giving different movements to the vertebral column. The vertebral column is bend forward and backward alternately with deep breathing. Whenever the body is bend forward, the contraction of the abdomen and diaphragm throws out the breath. When the body bends backwards, the chest expands and deep breathing occurs automatically. This way, flexibility increases and breathing is corrected; moreover it mildly exercises the legs and arms, thus increasing the circulation."

in CIBY by Swami Vishnu-devananda

Well... I'm back!

My initial plan was to post  once in a while during my stay at the Sivananda Kutir Ashram during my TTC (short for Teacher's Training Course). But, as it often happens things don't go as planned. 
There was absolute no internet connection at the ashram, there was not even a land line.
When I think about it now I have to admit that it was a good thing and that it makes all the sense. Plus I'm not really sure where I would have find time to sit down at the computer since we were busy from 5 am to 10 pm.
I will try to share my experience in the next posts. 
But bare with me sometimes it might seem very dry...the truth is - and this is what our teacher told us just before the graduation ceremony- that you will only feel the effects of what you did here during this past month later on, maybe once you go out of the ashram, maybe next week, maybe next month maybe in 10 years...which is not a bad thing at all! 

photo by Aiko Yoshikawa

Having come back to this side of the world I do feel that this experience was/is much bigger than what I was able to grasp. And it is not that I feel a major change in my life, after all I have been practicing yoga for the last 10 years, but it is in the little things. Change, real structural change, always comes in small doses, and gently settles in you, gaining space within you and when you realize it is already there to stay.