Are you truly true?

Satya is the Sanskrit word for truth. It also refers to being truthful in one's thought, speech and action. In Yoga, Satya is one of five Yamas, the restraint from falsehood and distortion of reality in one's expressions and actions.

Even when we are practicing yoga, we can easily confuse observation and judgment. In the yoga studio, for example, it is not uncommon to have judgments about a pose that we find unpleasant. When our teacher suggests we try such a pose, one of the following judgments may pass through our mind. First, we might say to ourselves, “This pose does not do anything useful” (judging the pose). Or we may inwardly judge the teacher. Finally, and probably most commonly, we think, “What’s wrong with me that I cannot do this pose?” (judging ourselves).

When we use speech that expresses judgment, we limit ourselves and others. In this case, we limit ourselves by putting the pose, the teacher, or ourselves in a box, a box labeled “bad.” We lose track of the fact that it is not the pose which is bad, nor the teacher, nor us. Rather, “bad” is an interpretation that arises within us. Whether we speak them out loud or silently, such judgments are not Satya.

An alternative way to speak to ourselves about a difficult pose is to say, “I am having trouble with this pose right now.” When we use speech this way, whether silently or out loud, a very different atmosphere for learning is created. To make the observation that I am having trouble right now makes no statement at all about the pose itself, the teacher, or our worth as a student. Neither does it ordain that things will not change. When we use the language of observation, we give ourselves the space and freedom to change right now or at any point in the future.

Be kind to all, including yourself, (with your internal voice).

www.stacy.yoga

Is there an App for Happiness?

An excerpt from Max Stroms website:
Max Strom is a global teacher, speaker, and author.  Many know him for his two inspiring books: A Life Worth Breathing, now published in six languages, and There is No APP for Happiness, his most recent title addressing the challenge of finding meaning in the digital age. Max Strom’s interdisciplinary method, Inner Axis, is a system of field-tested techniques that produce immediate results.

It is an innovative method that incorporates mindfulness, breath-work, and breath-based yoga movement to generate personal growth. Because of its success with individuals across the world, Inner Axis is now being adopted by corporations as a sustainable mindfulness program, organizations that want to not only be successful, but healthy, and to make a meaningful difference in the world.

I had the honor of meeting, and attending Max Storms talk, and classes at The Minneapolis Yoga Conference in 2015, he is an amazing speaker, and a magnificent asset to the yoga community! 

Please give yourself the gift of 16 minutes and 42 seconds to listen to Max's Tedx talk. You can literally just listen to it, if unable to watch as well. You'll feel better for it :)

Enjoy!

Stacy

www.stacy.yoga

Do you truly have "FOCUS"?

Dharana is the sixth limb of yoga. The word 'Dharana' simply means 'unbending concentration of mind'. Working with complete focus and concentration is something that satisfies each person at the maximum. Each of us, feels a sense of frustration, when we are not able to focus. The inability to focus may be because our minds are racing with ideas, judgments, worries, songs, or even memories. The main idea underlying Dharana, is the ability to focus on something (uninterrupted both by external or internal distractions).

Dharana is a form of meditation (or if you'd prefer to call it "Sitting quietly"),  that can be called receptive concentration. A set of conditions are created that help the mind focus in one direction and object, rather than concentrating in many directions, thereby diverting the mind. The term 'Dharana' is given to both the practice of deep concentration and the state in which you achieve deep concentration. Ideally, in a perfect world, 'Dharana' should be performed at every moment of the day to gain utmost control of both your body and mind. Like everything in yoga, this is a "practice" and takes time to work towards.

Benefits Of Dharana
Dharana aims at setting up the mind, by focusing it upon some stable item. Any object selected for practicing has no role to play in the meditation process. The object is only used to focus on, to stop the mind from wandering - through memories, dreams, or reflective thought - by intentionally holding it on one object.

Dharana helps in channeling one's thoughts on a certain thing. It makes sure that you reach a level of awareness in anything you do, by focusing on every step you take. Dharana works with the objective to achieve the mental state, where the mind, intellect, and ego are controlled. The mind becomes purified by the practices. It becomes able to focus efficiently on one subject or point of experience. Dharana also helps in the fluctuations of the mind.

My favorite book on this subject is "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" by Robin S. Sharma. Not only is this one of the best book titles you'll ever come across, seriously how great is that title?!? It's also an incredible read, you won't want to stop! It reads as a story.

Here's a link to purchase it on Amazon, you will not regret this purchase: https://amzn.com/0062515675

 

www.stacy.yoga

       

Happy 4th of July!

How do we treat yoga differently in the West?

Ok, we aren't THAT bad with yoga in the west, well.....not always, anyway :)

But I think you'll find this as interesting as I did!:

An excerpt from The Edge Magazine (edgemagazine.net). A conversation with novelist Karan Bajaj:

What are your thoughts on how yoga and meditation  are practiced in the United States?

KB: I think it is at a very nascent level- perhaps that's the best way to put it. There are two dichotomies here. In the West it's a very physical practice, and even meditation is a practice to become productive and more at peace. In the East, you think of the deep spiritual practices as a journey of complete dissolution of the self, the ego. In the West, it is the opposite, like you are using these practices to further your ego by being more productive , being more this, and getting more out of your work and earning more money. In the East the whole idea is that you are dissolving your essence through these practices. 

So, these approaches are very different, but I hope what happens is that once you are in the journey, you evolve your own position. 

---------

Well said Karan Bajaj!!

www.stacy.yoga

Why and how do we do Childs Pose?

The term “Child’s Pose” comes from the Sanskrit words “bala” and “asana”, which translate to “child” and “pose.” This pose is truly a resting pose. It is meant to nourish and nurture our body. You can hold it for long periods of time, and often without the need for props.

Getting into child’s pose:  Kneel on a yoga mat or the floor. Bring your knees together and your backside to your feet. Exhale and slowly rest your upper body over your thighs so that your forehead touches the mat, or stack your fists, and release your forehead on your fists, or use a block. Place your palms on the floor and reach your arms until you feel your shoulder blades stretching across your back. For a more passive version, let your arms rest palms up behind you, at your sides. You can also widen your knees so that your hips and torso fall closer to the mat. It is not intended to be challenging, but comforting and protective.

Take a few deep belly breaths now. Do you feel that stretch in your spine? And your low back?

The Benefits of Child’s Pose:

⦁ Releases tension in the back, shoulders and chest
⦁ Recommended if you have dizziness or fatigue, during class, or throughout your day.
⦁ Helps alleviate stress and anxiety
⦁ Flexes the body’s internal organs and keeps them supple
⦁ It lengthens and stretches the spine
⦁ Relieves neck and lower back pain when performed with the head and torso supported
⦁ It gently stretches the hips, thighs and ankles
⦁ Normalizes circulation throughout the body
⦁ Great for digestion
⦁ It stretches muscles, tendons and ligaments in the knee
⦁ Calms the mind and body
⦁ Encourages strong and steady breathing

The next time you're doing Child's pose think about the amazing things that are going on inside and outside of your body. This pose is truly restorative, and it's acceptable in any yoga class to go to Child's Pose anytime you need a break.