Getting these 5 key beginners poses right will give you a fantastic foundation to start your Yoga practice.
Focus on the correct alignment, where you need to be engaging and where you need to be relaxing. Ensuring that you are holding your body in the correct shape of the pose and moving slightly deeper into the pose with each breath.
Remember to try to simulate the beautiful, strong, steady feeling of Tadasana (Mountain Pose) in all your other poses. Keep all the tips in mind as you hold each pose to constantly adjust the pose, constantly check in with your body and always make sure you are breathing deeply and fully.
Spotify Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ilkqMcWLASRlxnZvMbLAf?si=igYhMwBGQGyH2XZYF6G6zA
Our world is in crisis and our people are suffering. Use this meditation to connect with all beings, to bring healing and unconditional Love into your heart and around the world. Understanding that because we are so intimately connected when one is suffering we are all suffering. None can be free until we are all free.
This is a meditation for your own work, for your own heart, do the work to make sure your heart is strong so that, more importantly, you can do the work in yourself and in your communities to help dismantle white supremacy.
#blacklivesmatter #blacklivesareimportant #blacklivesareworthy #blacklivesareneeded
Today’s resolve is:
“I see the guru in everything and everyone. Every being who crosses my path is my teacher. I open my eyes and my heart to the enlightenment principle”
Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Pq7MR5y0Z4xJIheaooj3v?si=J-aoXplETWS7fxXjJNF9AA
“I invite serenity into my life. I am calm, peaceful and serene. My true nature is Shantih, innate serenity and inner peace. Nothing outside of me can disturb my peace”
Yoga Nidra is a powerful technique in which you learn to relax consciously. True relaxation is an experience far beyond what we think relaxation is, it is far more than simple sensory diversions like reading a book or watching TV. For absolute relaxation, you must remain aware. This is Yoga Nidra, the state of dynamic sleep.
Yoga Nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. The term Yoga Nidra is derived from two Sanskrit words, yoga meaning union or one-pointed awareness, and Nidra which means sleep. But, in the practice, you are required to stay awake and not fall asleep. During the practice of Yoga Nidra, one appears to be asleep but the consciousness is functioning at a deeper level of awareness. For this reason, Yoga Nidra is often referred to as psychic sleep or deep relaxation with inner awareness. In this threshold state between sleep and wakefulness, contact with the subconscious and unconscious dimensions occurs spontaneously.
In Yoga Nidra, the state of relaxation is reached by turning inwards, away from outer experiences. If the consciousness can be separated from external awareness and from sleep, it becomes very powerful and can be applied in many ways, for example, to develop the memory, increase knowledge and creativity as well as deep healing.
maitrī karuṇā mudito-pekṣāṇāṁ-sukha-duḥkha puṇya-apuṇya-viṣayāṇāṁ bhāvanātaḥ citta-prasādanam
मैत्री करुणा मुदितोपेक्षाणांसुखदुःख पुण्यापुण्यविषयाणां भावनातः चित्तप्रसादनम्
To preserve the innate serenity of the mind, a yogin should be happy for those who are happy, be compassionate toward those who are unhappy, be delighted for those who are virtuous and be indifferent toward the wicked.
Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Fo6XbZaGDVnGyAKKeCvE1?si=-Q4e7gw2SgG8c8-CTKf6WA
This week's Resolves is:
“I accept myself for who I am. I am worthy, deserving and valuable just as I am. I am made up of divine energy and unconditional Love. I love and approve of myself just the way I am”
Yoga Nidra is known as Yoga Sleep.
It is that state between being asleep and wakefulness. When you are in this state you are very susceptible to positive affirmations, to relaxation and to harmony. The process of Yoga Nidra is for the person to lie down comfortably and purely listen to the teacher, making sure they do not fall asleep completely or wander off and think of something else. The student follows the teacher's voice into a deep state of rest and relaxation. Into a state of just being.
Lie down in Savasana, on your back. Make sure you are absolutely comfortable. Put a pillow under your knees and cover yourself with a blanket. Do whatever you need to to be comfy. You are asked not to move during the practice and also, not to fall asleep. This is very important.
vastu-sāmye citta-bhedāt tayor vibhaktaḥ panthāḥ
वस्तुसाम्येचित्तभेदात्तयोर्विभक्तः पन्थाः
Each individual person perceives the same object in a different way, according to their own state of mind and projections. Everything is empty from its own side and appears according to how you see it.
Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/570E7bz8nuRn82r3ywc8sT?si=LpzQARlkQZ-NHxnHezLuYg
Join me for this calm and peaceful visualisation meditation.
Make sure you are completely comfortable, use some pillows under your knees when you lie down and cover yourself with a blanket.
INHALE: LET
EXHALE: GO
Sit or lie comfortably.
Make sure you are absolutely comfy and your body is totally supported so you can relax completely.
Have a blanket and some pillow handy in case you'll need them.
If you'd like to add music to your meditation, use this Surrender to Love Sound-bath to enhance your meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmRwZ-BmS8A
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra I.2
योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोध
Yogaś citta-vṛtti nirodhaḥ
When you stop identifying with your thoughts and the fluctuations of your mind, then there is Yoga.
Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5Gmu6eV4VWSxtq098XmEs8?si=WzZR5silSO2o9GrIEliNDw
“I am aware that I am not my thoughts. I give myself the permission to step back from my thoughts. I am so much greater than my thoughts. I have the ability to choose my thoughts.”
Yoga Nidra is a powerful technique in which you learn to relax consciously. True relaxation is an experience far beyond what we think relaxation is, it is far more than simple sensory diversions like reading a book or watching TV. For absolute relaxation, you must remain aware. This is Yoga Nidra, the state of dynamic sleep.
Yoga Nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. The term Yoga Nidra is derived from two Sanskrit words, yoga meaning union or one-pointed awareness, and Nidra which means sleep. But, in the practice, you are require to stay awake and not fall asleep. During the practice of Yoga Nidra, one appears to be asleep but the consciousness is functioning at a deeper level of awareness. For this reason, Yoga Nidra is often referred to as psychic sleep or deep relaxation with inner awareness. In this threshold state between sleep and wakefulness, contact with the subconscious and unconscious dimensions occurs spontaneously.
In Yoga Nidra, the state of relaxation is reached by turning inwards, away from outer experiences. If the consciousness can be separated from external awareness and from sleep, it becomes very powerful and can be applied in many ways, for example, to develop the memory, increase knowledge and creativity as well as deep healing.
मैत्र्यदिषु बलानि
Maitri-adiṣu balāni
Through kindness, compassion and friendliness strength comes.
Spotify Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/43kLU6BVZkxu1mCZdbSZoV?si=VVXoODTDQDeF2v93L1yEuA
Today’s resolve is:
“I give myself the permission to let go. I allow myself to surrender completely. I let go of what is no longer serving me.”
Yoga Nidra is a powerful technique in which you learn to relax consciously. True relaxation is an experience far beyond what we think relaxation is, it is far more than simple sensory diversions like reading a book or watching TV. For absolute relaxation, you must remain aware. This is Yoga Nidra, the state of dynamic sleep.
Yoga Nidra is a systematic method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. The term Yoga Nidra is derived from two Sanskrit words, yoga meaning union or one-pointed awareness, and Nidra which means sleep. But, in the practice, you are require to stay awake and not fall asleep. During the practice of Yoga Nidra, one appears to be asleep but the consciousness is functioning at a deeper level of awareness. For this reason, Yoga Nidra is often referred to as psychic sleep or deep relaxation with inner awareness. In this threshold state between sleep and wakefulness, contact with the subconscious and unconscious dimensions occurs spontaneously.
In Yoga Nidra, the state of relaxation is reached by turning inwards, away from outer experiences. If the consciousness can be separated from external awareness and from sleep, it becomes very powerful and can be applied in many ways, for example, to develop the memory, increase knowledge and creativity as well as deep healing.
Yoga Nidra is known as Yoga Sleep. It is that state between being asleep and wakefulness. When you are in this state you are very susceptible to positive affirmations, to relaxation and to harmony. The process of Yoga Nidra is for the person to lie down comfortably and purely listen to the teacher, making sure they do not fall asleep completely or wander off and think of something else. The student follows the teacher's voice into a deep state of rest and relaxation. Into a state of just being.
Lie down in Savasana, on your back. Make sure you are absolutely comfortable. Put a pillow under your knees and cover yourself with a blanket. Do whatever you need to to be comfy. You are asked not to move during the practice and also, not to fall asleep. This is very important.
Sit or lie comfortably.
Make sure you are absolutely comfy and your body is totally supported so you can relax completely.
Have a blanket and some pillow handy in case you'll need them.
Compassion meditation (sometimes known as loving-kindness meditation) is the process of sitting with self while maintaining a connection to our emotional heart. As we sit with ourselves, we relax into the breath and body and connect and work with emotions as they arise. From this connected state, we set the intention of cultivating compassion and kindness then extend it to self and others.
If self-compassion, or compassion for others, is challenging or uncomfortable for you, know that with practice and intention, you can cultivate these traits.
Sit or lie comfortably.
Make sure you are absolutely comfy and your body is totally supported so you can relax completely.
Have a blanket and some pillow handy in case you'll need them.
All you are asked to do in this session is to listen. Try not to fall asleep or drift off with your thoughts. Keep bringing your awareness back to the sounds of the Tibetan Singing bowls.
Best to listen through headphones.
"Now this is Yoga as I have perceived it in the natural world"
Yoga is happening RIGHT NOW!
It is attainable and achievable and is happening all around us, if we only take a moment to stop, right NOW, and be present.
Atha - NOW
Yoga - Union with the divine
Anu - the smallest measure of time
"Sasa" from Shastra - to instruct
Asanam - Connection to the earth
Spotify Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4KsZXElvZO8rwLnyo33uXa?si=Q11m5iaNRIeVbLnX4PyN3Q
Yoga Nidra is known as Yoga Sleep.
It is that state between being asleep and wakefulness. When you are in this state you are very susceptible to positive affirmations, to relaxation and to harmony. The process of Yoga Nidra is for the person to lie down comfortably and purely listen to the teacher, making sure they do not fall asleep completely or wander off and think of something else. The student follows the teacher's voice into a deep state of rest and relaxation. Into a state of just being.
Lie down in Savasana, on your back. Make sure you are absolutely comfortable. Put a pillow under your knees and cover yourself with a blanket. Do whatever you need to to be comfy. You are asked not to move during the practice and also, not to fall asleep. This is very important.
Sat-sangatve nissangatvam nissangatve nirmohatvam
Nirmohatve nishchala-tattvam nishchala-tattve jivanmuktih
Bhaja govindam bhaja govindam bhaja govindam mudha-mate
Good and virtuous company gives rise to non-attachment. From non-attachment comes freedom from delusion. With freedom from delusion, one feels the changeless reality. Experiencing that changeless reality, one attains liberation in this life. I-AM is the ocean of awareness. Realizing this, one feels, ‘I am not the body and mind, although I have a body and mind.’ Realize Govinda, realize Govinda in your heart, O wise one!
Shri Adi Shankaracharya from Carpata-Panjarika