My thoughts on Yoga and Meditation

Yoga can be exercise, and hot yoga can be a really intense workout. I like to work out at the gym, that is where I get my cardio and weight training. Exercise itself can definitely relieve some stress and leave us feeling refreshed, but yoga & meditation gives me something entirely different.

It moves my focus inward, it helps me clear my mind of all the chatter, it gives me tools I need to block out the noisy world around me, and the noisy world within me.

The secularity of Yoga, the belief that all of us are part of one world, the ideas of nonviolence, truthfulness, responsibility, simplicity and generosity speak to me in a way that has absolutely nothing to do with exercise, flexibility or body strength.

The awareness that inner strength, inner peace, acceptance, contentment, and service to others is open to me in this present cycle of life is what feeds me. These are the qualities I strive for, I’m not there yet and probably never will but the practice of yoga and meditation has led me down this path, and for that I am forever grateful.

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Yoga for living a happier life

MOVEMENT AND MEDITATION

My classes in Movement and Meditation come from the synthesis of my studies, training and teaching up to this point.

It is the way I have been able to refine and combine the different branches of Yoga that I love, practice and that provides meaning and resiliency to my life. Movement (asana) and breath (pranayama) prepare the body/mind to welcome stillness that allows the dust to settle and the myriad of benefits science has proven that meditation delivers to take over.

It can be so easy and accessible to all, it can feel almost magical in its simplicity…

iRest® Yoga Nidra

iRest® Yoga Nidra based on the ancient teachings of meditation and has developed into evidence-based transformative practice that leads to psychological, physical, and spiritual healing and well-being.

Yoga Nidra provides you with tools to help you relax deeply, release stress, increase resiliency, improve your interpersonal relationships and provide you with greater mastery and control in your life.

Yoga Nidra nourishes noble qualities such as joy, peacefulness, empathy, forgiveness, patience and lovingkindness toward yourself and others, and supports you to resolve issues such as insomnia, anxiety, fear and depression.

Y12SR is a rich and powerful framework for integrating the wisdom of yoga and the practical tools of 12- step programs. Guided by its theme, "The Issuess Live in th Tissues"

Y12SR can be beneficial for anyone who is touched by alchoholism or addiction of any kind. The addict or those around them all need healing. The "science of yoga"* can help. The teacher Vishnudevanda has taught five principles: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and meditation and positive thinking. Incorporating these principals with the 12-step program espousing many of the same ideas can only aid recovery.

*https://nccih.nih.gov/video/yoga-science

Our Y12SR practice begins with a 12 step share for the first half and and then we take part in Movement and Meditation. A yoga that is accessible to all.

Hatha Yoga

Most forms of yoga in the West can be classified as Hatha Yoga.

Hatha simply refers to the practice of physical yoga postures, meaning your Ashtanga, vinyasa, Iyengar and Power Yoga classes are all Hatha Yoga.

The word “hatha” can be translated as “sun” (ha) and “moon” (tha), the yoga of balance. Hatha practices are designed to align and calm your body, mind, and spirit in preparation for meditation. This is the way I choose to integrate Hatha into my practice and teaching.

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga is a more meditative approach with a deeper focus than Yang practices.

In Yin, the Yogi is trying to work with the deeper tissues (connective tissues and fascia) rather than muscles and focus on areas that include joints (hips, sacrum and spine). Yin is a wonderful way to maintain our flexibility in our life journey.

Because we are remaining in asanas (poses) for 3 to 5 minutes Yin is a very challenging yet accessible style of Yoga. Through the emphasise on breath, we can discover a more relaxed body and centered mind. As we are settling into each asana we are able to get intimate with the self, with feelings, with sensations and emotions, something we might be missing in a faster passed practice of Yoga.