mario

... a practioner of yoga does not believe in any form of divinity, this does not present a problem. They must simply recognize that the nature of all beings is joy and try to connect with that.

Now that weve gotten that sticky subject out of the way, I want to explain this idea of dedicating your practice in greater detail. Its not even so much about dedication as it is relinquishing or letting go of everything whether they be worries, fears, misunderstandings, or hang-ups. My teacher, Sharon Gannon, always promotes the idea that Youve got to get down to get up. What she means is that you need to be rooted in the here and now and be able to let go of all the fruits of your actions. Why, you ask? Why shouldnt you just keep on doing yoga to perfect your chatturangas, balance longer in tree pose, and get that yoga butt? The answer is a simple one. What are all those things going to get you in the long run?

Sure, nailing that Chatturanga feels great, and deepening your Hanumanasana (splits pose) can give you a bit of a rush. Im not denying that one bit, but what is the true purpose behind the motions? Yoga practice can help you to break a cycle, stop bad habits, and transform your life. Yes, it can do all of those things, but you have to let it. You see, you cant acquire yoga like you can dance steps or aerobic maneuvers; you have to let go of what is obscuring it. You have to let go of your preferences and simply be in the moment as a divine being.

So why do asana at all if youre not supposed to be attached to the outcome? Because the asanas help to show you the interior of your own mind, they clearly point out what youre holding on to and what you still need to work through. They transform you into the tree or the warrior and make you see what it is like to step outside of yourself...more

Yoga Alignment Methods for Insomnia Solutions

...eeping posture, as closely as you would an asana (Yoga posture), in a Hatha Yoga class. Get a good firm mattress, a good pillow for your neck, smaller pillows - for your alignment, and comfortable linens. Consider them night time Yoga props. Some people spend thousands of dollars on a bed and mattress; while they invest nothing in pillows.

If they sleep, at all, you can be sure they will wake up the next morning with a neck ache or ...more

What Should a Hatha Yoga teacher Know? - Part 2

...o avoid harming someone, but do not lie.

Asteya: This is to avoid stealing in any way. This is a simple principle, but throughout history, laws were sometimes modified to justify stealing. The problem is the desire of something - to the point of jealousy, and finally outright theft. The elimination of the Cathars, Africans, and Native Americans are just three examples of people who suffered from modified laws that took away their land.

Brahmacharya: To be free from sensual imprisonment and to live in moderation. At first we might think of lust, and correct this by seeing another person as more than a sexual object. However, most obesity c...more

Interested In History? How About The History Of Yoga?

...The history of Yoga is an interesting one indeed. It is not entirely clear in many respects, but much is well known about the history of Yoga.

It is thought that the word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word yog meaning union or yoke. This is thought to refer to the ultimate aim of Yoga, which is a union. That union is supposed to be the union of body and mind, reaching a state of higher mental being or spiritual awareness.

Yoga was originally a spiritual undertaking, designed for the improvement of the spiritual being. It is much more commonly practiced today...more

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