The process of yoga is the exploration of the sphere of the whole person; connecting breath to movement, movement to focus, focus to balance, balance to stillness, and stillness to breath. All of these aspects are intertwined and available within this ancient practice. Yoga informs us that all are one, that separateness is an illusion, and that the principal tool we use as yogis is attention. Just watching, without judgement or attachment. Within this connected and infinite cycle lies the inner teacher, that part of each of us we find for truth and guidance in yoga and in life.
Deepening our internal awareness requires practice and repetition.
- Conscious, intentional movement, stillness and breath. One of my teachers, Raminand Patel, once said, “recognize the breath and let it open your eyes,” and “use the breath to find forgiveness when you can’t stop blaming.”
- Meditation to hone skills of non-doing and mindfulness.
- Studying yogic scriptures and the chakra system for education and intention.
- Inspiration and self-understanding, herbal rejuvenation and basic ayurvedic practices to tonify and balance the supply of prana (air), tejas (fire) and ojas (water).
- Chanting to focus the mind, stimulate prana, activate the fifth vishuddha chakra, to feel calm and centered, and most importantly, to communicate with the divine spirit within ourselves and the universe. Connecting to that divine spirit, as my teacher Rusty Wells says, is to bask in our Beloved. The essence of Kirtan is singing to that which we love most, to unite in love with our Beloved.
- Mantra to train concentration, listening skills and to interrupt mental and emotional habits.
- Prayer, ritual and sangha for guidance, community/service, compassion, love and self-worth, and celebration.
Yoga is more about undoing than doing, to breathe in the courage to let go, and breathe out patience to look inside. As we open the physical body the truth of who we are is revealed.
Vinyasa literally means “to place in a special way,” but it also refers to breath synchronized movement. The purpose of linking the breath with movement (vinyasa) is internal cleansing. Vinyasa generates internal heat and stokes agni – or digestive – fire. If our internal fire is strong, we are better able to adapt to life’s challenges.
The breath used in vinyasa, ujjayi pranayama, creates a vibration across the soft palate of the mouth, warming the breath as it enters the body. The glow of sweat that develops from the practice helps to detoxify and cleanse, removing impurities.
My aim with every class I teach is to offer a fun, enlivened, challenging and safe sequence of postures that helps the body open to a deeper more expansive place. And a really great soundtrack doesn’t hurt either.