My So-Called Yoga Life

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched- they must be felt with the heart. ~ Helen Keller
My So-Called Yoga Life
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    • The Art of Finding Time

      Posted at 5:56 pm by Lisa K, on January 8, 2018

      I have written about becoming flexible in the aspects of the physical body and the mental body. But lately I have been thinking more about how to find time to do the things you love and enjoy them without worrying about fitting them into a busy schedule. The reason that I have become sensitive to this particular topic is because I have had some difficulty recently, fitting in my practice time with all of the festivities of the season. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with those I hold dear, but it doesn’t change the fact that my daily rituals of life are affected. I have become accustomed to doing evening practices and hav even perfected the amount of time needed after eating to ensure they are successful. I have actually grown to appreciate the different aspects that an evening practice can offer such as increased strength and flexibility. I do find that sometimes evening practices are marred by racing thoughts but there are no (for the most part) interruptions from my little babes who are sleeping. I suppose there are pros and cons to any time.   I have practiced in hotel rooms, hotel gyms and in my bedroom over the last couple of weeks. While none of them are my ideal spot, there were benefits in some cases! In one hotel room, there was a gas fireplace and it got really nice and toasty! I most definitely appreciated that with all the frigid temps we’ve been having lately. The gym spot was not as good, with people working out around me and a low ceiling, it was distracting. But I was able to fit it in!! My gym practice was at 8:30pm, so as a natural morning person, some adaptation is required, lol.  What I found a couple of days was that I got half a practice done in the morning and then finished it up in the evening! Seriously, sometimes it’s necessary to become inventive in how to get things done.
      The main point of importance during this time was that, even though I had to be even more mentally flexible with my schedule, I was able to succeed in getting some type of practice in. Sometimes it was just primary series and other days I could fit in my entire 1hr 45 min practice in. More and more, the emphasis has become getting some part of a practice in, rather than how much of it gets done. For me, this has taken time to get used to. I’ve had a few years to slowly get comfortable with the need for my increased necessity for mental flexibility as having children already got those wheels turning!
      It can be demotivating to have to make changes to fit practice in but over time it really becomes a test as to how badly I really want to do something. Yoga is like breathing to me and since I’d like to stay alive, I suppose I will keep on working it in wherever it is possible!! Hope you we’re able to find time to take care of yourself over the holidays.  Looking forward to the regular rhythm of life this week.  All the very  best until next week, be happy, smile and be you💖

      Much Love,

      Lisa Michelle xo

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      Posted in Life & Yoga, Uncategorized | 8 Comments | Tagged health, inspiration, life, lifestyle, Livingyoga, metime, motivation, selfcare, time, Yoga, yogalife
    • The Obligatory New Year’s Post: 2018

      Posted at 2:31 am by Lisa K, on January 1, 2018

      It seems that this year, I am so much more aware of the happenings over the last year than in those past. I started this blog this year and in preparing my writings for it, I suppose it has helped me to really put conscious memory into action as I ponder my thoughts and feelings. I have observed a great deal about my little life and noticed some wonderful things and also some places that could use some really overdue attention. I really love writing this blog, by the way;) There is far too much truth in the fact that we mostly, blindly, fail to acknowledge places in our lives that make us uncomfortable. For me, in the past it was a fear of failing to be my best all the time. I have managed to work quite a bit there and feel much better about this work in progress. This year I experienced some dark times in the beginning of it. Out of my control, but they quelled my growing ability to shine forth more confidently. Many steps back, I notice that I must draw attention once again to confidence in the radiance of my being.
      In 2018, I will take charge of old patterns rather than let them play out. I will speak from within and hold no expectation of how it will be interpreted by those around me. If I am true, I can’t be mistaken for anything other than the true intention that I really am. If negativity happens, it is not me but a reflection of others. I will be TRUE.  I also noticed that I live in a very regimented pattern in my life. Im an ashtangi and it is not difficult to see why I love the practice of Ashtanga yoga so much. It is also very disciplined. However, it impedes my social interactions with people. If time spent doesn’t fit into my comfortable schedule, I can get, well, agitated. I have been aware of this for some time, and have made some progress but it needs more.

      I also can’t cook. I don’t like holding meals because food doesn’t inspire me. I am also vegetarian, which doesn’t harmonize with people around me. Food is more of a subsistence of life for me. It seems to create issues for social gatherings because I don’t relate well to others in this way. I am good at doing activities with people or having a coffee and a chat. Evening visits with a glass of wine aren’t too shabby either, lol, right?? But in all seriousness, I want to connect again without fear of judgement. If I don’t fear it, it can’t burden me. I will practice my meditations, affirmations and general thoughts to help create new mental patterns. If you think it enough, it will become real.  I know my intentions are to relate to others, to feel them.

      The new year isn’t necessarily about changing things or becoming a new person. It is about reflecting on what works and what doesn’t. Realizing what could do with some improvement and what is working better than ever. I like the reset feeling. It reminds me of morning time. I love the feeling of waking up and being out before others. Everything is fresh, untouched by the essence of daytime and I get to see it. That is what the new year is akin to. A time to refresh, reflect and be a better version of me.

      I hope you enjoy this time of year and start off in 2018 with your best foot forward. Be fierce, be powerful, be You.

      Happy New Year my loves!! Best for the coming year to you!!

      Much Love,

      Lisa Michelle xo

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      Posted in Life & Yoga, Uncategorized | 16 Comments | Tagged beauty, communication, emotions, energy, gratitude, happy, healthy, heart, inspiration, joy, knowledge, life, lifestyle, love, meditation, motivation, release, wellness, Yoga
    • That Christmas Feeling

      Posted at 2:41 am by Lisa K, on December 24, 2017

      Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!!! We are away holidaying at a ski resort for Christmas this year.  Usually we go down south but we wanted to try a winter holiday this year.  Though I am with the people I consider to be the essence of my existence, I do miss our family that we will not see over the next few days.  I feel love, hope and enthusiasm for the coming new year and felt some inspiration for a poem.  Hope you are having a wonderful time, celebrating life, love and all the important things at this special time of year!!

      That Christmas Feeling

      The snow begins to fall,
      Gracefully feathering down to the ground,
      The night is lit up with coloured lights,
      Eyes are wide for every child in town.

      The carols play over the radio,
      Bringing back memories of this time,
      A sweet nostalgic feeling to embrace,
      The scent of evergreen is in its prime.

      School is out for the holidays,
      Children play and eat the snow,
      No care in the world is what they have,
      Carefree and happy feelings is what they know.

      A time for friends and family,
      Smiles and hugs will fill your days,
      Chocolates and sweet cookies,
      Love is shown in so many beautiful ways.

      Thinking about what’s important,
      Squeezing close with those held dear,
      Don’t forget to look into their eyes,
      And let them know that you are near.

      Love is the reason for all this fuss,
      Don’t let the purpose become skewed,
      Let your loved ones know how you feel,
      And your feelings show their magnitude.

      I love you now, today and tomorrow,
      I will love you forever more.
      My heart is full when we’re together,
      You make me feel like I could soar.

      Merry Christmas to you my friend,
      May your holiday be sweet,
      Enjoy making new memories,
      That forever you may keep.

      By: Lisa Michelle

      Keep smiling my gorgeous friends, Love to you all.  We are all human beings, craving understanding, connection and above all Love.  I feel it and it is so beautiful.  Kiss and hug your loved ones!!!

      Much Love,

      Lisa Michelle xoxoxoxo

       

       

       

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      Posted in Poetry, Uncategorized | 4 Comments | Tagged beauty, Christmas, confidence, gratitude, happy, heart, inspiration, joy, life, love, motivation, poem, Poetry, reflection, writing
    • Joy: Finding It Everyday

      Posted at 12:58 am by Lisa K, on December 18, 2017

      Sometimes I think about what emotions are.  Why do we experience feelings like anxiousness or fear?  When things seem to be opposing me, I can get down.  That’s when I start to think of ways to turn my current state into something more positive.  Life is short, be happy as much as possible and so today around the time of year when we wish to experience joy, there are often stressful shopping trips, cramped parking lots and many social engagements to attend.  So much love and fun is meant to be had, but at the same time, it can get a bit overwhelming too.  I have some thoughts on joy and how to bring it forth when life can throw you a curve ball;)

      What is pure joy?
      Is it the feeling of accomplishing a goal?
      Is it watching your child grow?
      Is it overcoming an obstacle?
      Is it learning something new or making connections?

      Joy is the outcome of giving.
      Joy is the release of positive emotion.
      Joy is the recognition of watching your child make good choices.
      Joy is finding that deep connection with another free of judgment.

      How can I find joy everyday?
      Be true to your feelings, be genuine.
      See each moment for the worth it gives to you.
      Look for it in places where it seems vacant.
      Bring it with you to others always, it will bring you more joy to give it.

      Look into the eyes of each person you talk to, really look.
      Smile at people you don’t know.
      Look in the mirror and smile when you feel down, really smile.
      Find light on days when the sun doesn’t shine.

      Use your happiness to extend to others.
      Spare some money for someone in need.
      Stare into the eyes of your lover each day, give a hug too.
      Find common ground in a distanced relationship.
      Excuse an outburst that was not thought through.

      Most of all- find a strength you have and let it lead you.
      Put blinders on and follow the path that feels right.
      Your heart doesn’t lie to you, it loves you unconditionally.
      Never question your worth, it will forever be priceless.

      Best wishes as you prepare this last week before the holidays and always.

      Love,

      Lisa Michelle xo

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      Posted in Life & Yoga, Uncategorized | 14 Comments | Tagged communication, energy, happy, inspiration, joy, knowledge, life, love, motivation
    • The Havan Fire Ceremony

      Posted at 2:41 am by Lisa K, on November 26, 2017

      A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of joining a Havan Fire Ceremony with our current yoga teacher training group at The Yoga Mat. One of my colleagues is part of the Dhyan Foundation which is a spiritual and charitable organization run solely by volunteers to spread awareness and knowledge of the path of yoga. Teaching many authentic practices involved with yoga, the Havan is a ceremony dedicated to aid the positive forces of creation. As human beings we commence in a Havan for the peace and prosperity of our home and creation as a whole. The ritual has been recorded and it’s practice is sustained in ancient Vedic texts which are important resources involved in forming our understandings of yoga today.

      The Havan is a ritual where all aspects of the ceremony are performed and prepared for with intention. The fire is lit and Sanskrit chants are spoken to create the proper atmosphere for the spiritual intention. There is ghee or clarified butter used as an offering and it crackles the fire during chanting. It is at this time that fragrant medicinal herbs are spread into the fire. These are prepared specially at home prior to the ceremony for the purpose of offering. There is a conch shell blown as a horn before and after the ceremony. The hands are washed to purify before we begin. We sit with crossed legs and palms turned up to accept and allow the positive energy to flow freely around and through the group. The whole process serves as a meditation and a focus on creating a sacred and inclusive space for those involved to really connect with the intention but more importantly, with each other. As I sat and listened to our guide, Chaavi, chant, I could hear the Gayatri Mantra and pieces of other mantra which I have become familiar with through my own path of yoga. The Gayatri is a powerful mantra and is said to mean “May the divine light of the Supreme Being illuminate our intellect, to lead us along a path of righteousness”. It is a powerful mantra which is said to purify the chanter and also the listener, by the Rig Veda.

      IMG_3420

      Above: Chaavi performing the Havan for us

      When I went to Thailand to see Paul Dallaghan and Sri OP Tiwari almost eight years ago now, we did this very ceremony every morning before we began our pranayama and asana practice. I remember the ghee being spread over the flames of the fire and the grains being offered by students into the fire during the meditative chants that were performed by Paul and Tiwariji. The feelings I experienced at the end of our Havan back here in Canada with Chaavi were the same. I felt grounded, connected, soft and aware of something greater than each of us- our communal energy, when we ended the ceremony. It felt like we participated in something which drew up energy from within ourselves and from the one place with which we all exist. Such a peaceful and calming feeling overall. An experience which I highly recommend for yoga practitioners and non-yoga practitioners alike. At the end of the ceremony we were offered to place the ashes of the fire onto our third eye, the forehead as it is a way to connect our divine being. Of course I accepted this offering because, who wouldn’t want to experience that?

      My Personal Deeper Reflections on Yoga

      My reflections upon yoga are echoed with each experience I have had over these past 10+ years that I have been learning and practicing. The practices and the meanings are like a catapult for the mind into places of my being which lay in a sort of coma for much of my teenage to early adult life. As a child, I had no barometer for what was socially accepted and did what I felt was right. I painted my shoes. I participated in the science fair. I sang, danced and created art. I even earned a creative arts award on my grade eight graduation. I accomplished much in dance, I was accepted to a prestigious ballet school and won contests for art at local fairs. I followed my light. I did what I felt was right from within. As a teen, I became consumed by acceptance. There were some other disturbances as well. I turned inward, into my shell. I became insecure about socializing and fitting in. I lost connection with my internal knowing. I felt disconnected. I didn’t feel like I fit in with my peers. I had decorated my locker in grade 9 with a collage of cat pictures I liked. When some peers saw the effort I put into it, they thought it was weird. I was ridiculed by my local dance teacher when I came home from dance school. I didn’t want to pursue it because I wanted so much to be home with my family. I missed them and wanted more than anything to be with them than to follow my dream. My teacher couldn’t relate. I felt alone. I lost my connection, I became obsessed with perfection. I thought that if I did what was expected really well, no one would put me down. I could be invisible. If there was nothing to complain about, how could I be a spotlight? As I moved into adulthood, I was able to sort out many of the feelings I had as a teen. I mean, many kids struggle at this hormonal and changing time in life.

      It was Yoga that really helped me heal from my disconnection. It has helped me to reconnect to that inner voice that I had shut down because it didn’t fit in. You see, yoga doesn’t care if you are fitting in with the trend or what is cool. Yoga is there to help you reconnect with what is important, with what really matters in life. I feel more confident in my own skin now that I ever have as an adult. I am rekindling my own fire with that unstoppable energy that guided me as a child to do what is right for my soul, what is right for me. I once again march to the beat of my own drum and don’t care if it’s not the same beat as anyone else. I am me. I am happy to be me. I connect to me. It is a beautiful feeling. When I think about how many years went by where I was a bit lost, I feel bad, but I don’t dwell on what I can’t change. I move forward and let my light guide me where I need to be. It feels wondrous and I think we can all find that place within ourselves. I wish this for every human being on this planet. I dream of the day where we are all Yoga and we are all truly aware that we are ONE ~ Samadhi.

      LOKAH SAMASTAH SUKHINO BHAVANTU

      Means~ May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

      Best wishes my beautiful readers,

      Love,

      Lisa xo

       

       

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      Posted in Event Reviews, Life & Yoga, Uncategorized | 24 Comments | Tagged energy, Havan, inspiration, knowledge, life, lifestyle, motivation, philosophy, startyoga, vedas, Yoga, yogainspiration, yogalife, yogaphilosophy, yogateacher
    • Undeciphered Messages & The Eternal Burning Flame

      Posted at 1:10 am by Lisa K, on November 6, 2017

      When I think about how we interact with others and navigate this realm of existence, the most important way to do this with others is to communicate.  This means through body language, art, dance, music, actions and the most common of all- words.  When you listen to someone speak to you, if you know them- you can feel them, empathize with them because you have an emotional connection to them.  Your bond is much more elaborate and interwoven in complexity than the words alone.  What about when you hear a beautiful piece of music?  I have been brought to tears by music alone.  What about when emotional words are sung with beautiful music? The message and its impact are compounded.  What about a movie? You become attached to more than just words spoken by each actor.  You learn about them, become fond of them or despise them.  You form an emotional discrimination which leads your interpretation of their words.  Dancers feel into their bodies and express themselves to music.  When I watch people dance, I can be moved deeply.  Poetry also has a way of conveying messages in a rhythmic way which can evoke emotions in the reader.  For me, when I write poetry, I am able to express in words meanings that are more than just the words on the paper.

      Why am I talking about this?

      When I think about people I love and care deeply for, it is awful when arguments come about which are often filled with feelings that are never fully discussed or misunderstandings which were never unraveled.  This happens because of a lack of one simple thing ~ communication.  I think about our sort of sloppy and two dimensional way of conveying messages with the words we can make with our mouths.

      What if we could touch one another by the hand and have them feel our thoughts and feelings in the way that we experience them?

      How connected and understanding do you think every being on this planet would become?  Emotions and feelings are powerful. They drive us to do many beautiful and terrible things.  In the case of miscommunications- relationships can end.  People drift away from one another and judgements are made.  If we could feel the complexities of what is happening for another, my goodness, life would be such a gorgeous melody of love.  Because underneath all of the layers we have protecting our true being is Love.  Right? I dream of that powerful and enveloping love that is our essence, our true form unveiling from that soft beautiful place within.  Is it just a dream? In contemplating how difficult it can be to really communicate with those around us, I wrote a poem to express some of the thoughts and feelings I have been having.

      Undeciphered Messages and The Eternal Burning Flame

      My heart is true and open,
      My words are in synchronicity with my soul,
      My wishes are only positive,
      To be genuine is always my goal.

      Doubt and fear is all around me,
      It tries to worm its way into my mind,
      If only words could hold the intensity,
      Of the feelings that dwell inside.

      Navigation is a virtue,
      Tact must be a well honed skill,
      But I wish it was so much easier,
      That there was no expectation to fulfill.

      What is true connection?
      It’s hard to know for sure,
      Because if words could be felt by the heart,
      What we speak would be much more pure.

      Words can cut like a thunderbolt,
      If their meaning is interpreted the wrong way,
      So much of what we say is left unclear,
      Is it love’s faith that saves the day?

      The heart is a fragile gift of beauty,
      Which is kept protected from any harm,
      When it’s let out in the open,
      Damage can leave the mind unarmed.

      Look into the mirror and what do you see?
      The truth of you is in your eyes,
      Your beauty, strength and virtue,
      Is so gorgeous and vast to your surprise.

      Trust that your light is true,
      Because your words you can’t undo,
      If you gaze right into the light,
      You will be free with no obstacle sight.

      Love, Love, Love,
      Oh this word is not enough!
      For the body, mind and spirit,
      The meaning is far more exquisite.

      Have the strength to be you,
      You must honour what is true,
      Show others it’s okay to do the same,
      It will keep lit our universal burning flame.

      By- Lisa Michelle K

      I would really like to know your thoughts about communication! Please do leave a comment on this post, let’s communicate😉

      Much Love to You,

      ❤️Lisa xo

       

       

       

       

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      Posted in Poetry, Uncategorized | 17 Comments | Tagged beautyoflife, communication, heart, inspiration, life, love, poems, Poetry, weareone, Yoga
    • Our Guiding Light

      Posted at 7:11 pm by Lisa K, on October 1, 2017

      I write poetry when I feel inspired by an internal emotional experience which needs to be expressed in some way.  The feelings we have as human beings can be so overwelming and powerful, both the joyful and the sorrowful.  Writing is meant to be interpreted by our own experiences and life.  I would love to know how this poem speaks to you💖

      Our Guiding Light

      Sometimes I feel lost,
      And a little bit scared,
      Like I am invisible,
      And no one could care.

      I’m closed and down,
      With a lump in my throat,
      I see no escape,
      Like this path is my fate.

      Suddenly I look up,
      The sky is so magnificent and blue,
      Something inside me unfolds,
      It has a radiant golden hue.

      My breath begins to settle,
      The fear quickly subsides,
      Like I’ve been touched,
      by an angel inside.

      I feel it around me,
      It has such strength and grace,
      It helps me to realize,
      I am worth more than I could embrace.

      When sadness feels raw,
      There is a place within me,
      That lets the emotions run clear,
      And allows me to be free.

      It is soft and yet powerful,
      The essence of our soul,
      Flowing around all of us,
      Gently guiding us to become whole.

      By: Lisa Michelle K

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      Posted in Poetry, Uncategorized | 21 Comments | Tagged beautyoflife, emotions, heart, inspiration, life, love, poems, Poetry, release, writing
    • Autumn Equinox: The Change of Season and Yoga

      Posted at 12:13 am by Lisa K, on September 25, 2017

      This year, it hasn’t really felt quite like the entrance into autumn. The weather is more like a beautiful July day. Today we took one of our usual walks down to the dog park and pond near our home. In the months when it is warm enough, we just love going down this path to enjoy nature and the beauty of the earth right next to our bustling subdivision. The swans come in the summer, they are magical creatures. There is a majestic heron who we are lucky enough to witness gracefully floating down into his watery home on many occasions. The ducks, the geese, the beaver, bunnies and the dragon flies are around us when we slowly walk around the loop. Our little quick bunny friend I snapped a picture of was so fast that it came out a bit blurry, lol.

      IMG_2890

      This evening was particularly beautiful. I knew that today was the equinox and as we walked, I thought about what that means for us in the months to come. The darkness will come, the cold and a change in our routine in many senses. Apple picking, pumpkin patching and crisp evenings are on the way.

      As an Ashtanga Yoga practitioner, I am keenly aware of the cycle of the moon. We observe the new and full moon and do not practice on these energetically potent days. Tied to the earth in so many obvious and more subtle ways, it is part of the practice to become cognizant of how these cycles affect our bodies in an acute fashion. The daily breath and movement I experience allows for this awareness to grow slowly over time.

      Yoga poses that were easier and more in tune with the vibrations of summer don’t feel quite the same. These are backbends and opening postures. The natural warmth of summer helps muscles to easily warm up and I find my more difficult postures come more readily. Autumn gives way to the strength and inwardness of folding forward and earthy poses like kurmasana and baddha konasana. Though we don’t change what we practice as do the seasons, poses feel different in my body.

      I find that as the cold and dark come, my body feels more stiff. I need to focus more deeply on my breath and creating the internal heat necessary for my practice seems to take longer. When Ashtanga first found me, it was 5 Surya Namaskara a and 5 surya Namaskara b which we practiced before the standing series. Later, it changed to 5 a and 3 b. I find that after the equinox, I generate more adequate heat by doing the 5 a and 5 b. In winter, as a home practitioner, this is what I do much of the time.  I use a heater almost all year round, but I find it necessary as the weather turns cooler. A little added warmer!

      I do an evening practice sometimes, when my day is too busy to find a morning time. This week, I did an evening practice and was disappointed by the lack of evening sun. I had to close my blinds so my neighbours behind me wouldn’t wonder what was going on over here, lol. Because it was a couple of weeks since my last evening practice, it was very noticeable how much had changed in our daylight hours.

      Soon it will be time for pumpkins and Halloween costumes. Every year the changes are more or less the same. I welcome our new autumn season and look forward to the beauty and rhythm of change to come in the months ahead. Best Autumn Equinox and season to all, enjoy this time of earthly change. Winter is coming!

      Love & Light,

      Lisa xo

       

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      Posted in Life & Yoga, Uncategorized | 19 Comments | Tagged ashtanga, autumnequinox, life, lifestyle, Yoga, yogalife
    • Ashtanga Yoga: A Moving Meditation

      Posted at 4:03 pm by Lisa K, on September 17, 2017

      Ashtanga Yoga is known as a practice which follows the same sequence of poses every day. We build on more poses as strength and flexibility grow in our bodies and minds. The very first time I experienced an Ashtanga style class I thought it was unusual that between sun salutations there was a five breath hold in downward dog. All the vinyasa classes I was used to doing did all sorts of movements in the sun salutation and it was just so much different. I thought it was a bit boring to be honest. The difficulty level and the feeling I got after concentrating so much more on breathing still left me intrigued. Why the hell would anyone want to put themselves through this? I wanted to learn more about it and more strangely, I wanted to experience it further. That is how it began.

      So what is it about Ashtanga, why is it so captivating?

      I believe it is the Trishtana as it creates  harmony within, that grasps our desire to go further than dipping your toe in the water…

      The Tristhana in Ashtanga is a focus on three places of attention. These are breath, drishti and posture.

      Breath

      The breath literally guides movement in Ashtanga. Even moving between poses have assigned inhale or exhales to maintain the deep methodical breathing utilized, creating heat and focus. The breath is what gives rise to our ability to create effort. When I am doing a very difficult pose, my teacher will remind me to breathe so that I may continue to do the work necessary to continue on. On to discover the next place where I will challenge my limits.

      Drishti

      The drishti is the gazing point. Each pose has a gazing point but the eyes are not really focused on any particular place. There are nine different drishti and it depends on the pose as to which is used. As the pose sequence, the drishti do not change and are practiced with each pose daily. When I am using drishti, my attention turns inward and my meditation becomes firmly planted in that moment in time. I feel and hear my breath. I feel more deeply into my body. Where do I feel the earth beneath me? I notice the effort I am using. Gosh, I forget how much it takes until I bring it back into my awareness. As much as my practice can be physically exhausting, the soulful bond I restore with my internal being is continually nourished and invigorated with each and every breath I take.

      Posture

      The third of the Tristhana is posture and it includes the asana and also the bandhas or energy locks. Particularly mula bandha and uddiyana bandha. These refer to the muscles of the pelvic floor and the low belly. Mula bandha has often been described to me as the muscles which stop the flow of urine. My teacher has another way to describe it, which is to squeeze the anus. Graphic right? Honestly, I have been able to connect more with this squeezing than the pee thing, lol. The uddiyana bandha is activated by drawing the low belly in. The strength created by utilizing these two muscle locks is the seat of power for every pose. Having a background in ballet dancing, I recognized the same feeling in my body when I danced. It is like the entire inner line of the legs from the base of the big toe right up into the solar plexus is involved in this energetic synergy. The grace that is made to look so effortless in both ballet dancing and yoga comes from this place. Perhaps it is the familiarity of remembering something I loved very much that solidified my love for Yoga from the very beginning.

      Together these three points of attention are what bring Ashtanga Yoga practitioners into a state of moving meditation. Our gaze turns inward and the magical awareness of the moment in time being experienced ~ Right. Now.~ is sometimes like slow motion Matrix movie perception. Everything slows down, breath is deep and rhythmic, sweat drips slowly down onto the mat, muscles flex and the body moves through space like a graceful and perfectly orchestrated dance. It may not look as such but it can feel this way on the best of days. Other days, I can feel like an old rusty tin man trying desperately to locate the nearest oil can. But that is the nature of being human. We fluctuate, our bodies and minds fluctuate.

      The Yoga Sutras of Patanjail states in the Samadhi Pada:

      योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः॥२॥
      1.2 yogaḥ-cittavr̥tti-nirodhaḥ

      This is translated to mean that yoga is the removal of the fluctuations of the mind. This is really an ideal with which we are working towards by practicing yoga. For me, the seemingly short distance of just under ten years has already provided some impressive breakthroughs in my own personal journey. Knowing how tiny that really is actually serves as a motivation! If my experiences on this level have been so profound to me, I can only imagine what could be ahead for my soul in the wide expanse of time.

      Every day, when I step onto my mat and look down to my feet, I feel gratitude. I am grateful to be alive, a being on this earth. I have been fortunate enough to find the gift of Ashtanga Yoga among other powerful gifts in my life. It is a blessing to be here and it is a privilege for me to share this gift. I know now that I am truly ready to teach yoga. I want to create a place for others to see that glimpse of light that I caught and then watch them nurture it and see it grow.

      Taught my first class on Thursday in a few years and I’m in such a great place to teach from now. Years ago when I first taught, I thought about how difficult my class should be and if people will like me.  These were not the right things to be worrying about.  I then went to Thailand and learned so much that I felt humbled to the point of feeling like I should not teach. I felt that I knew so little that it would be wrong to try and teach anyone else. Now that I have had some years, around seven have passed, I am feeling more confident that I have something to share with others. It feels right and my first class back at it was totally fabulous! Wishing you all joy and happiness always😊

      Love & Light,

      Lisa xo

       

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      Posted in Life & Yoga, Uncategorized | 30 Comments | Tagged ashtanga, ballet, dance, inspiration, life, meditation, philosophy, trishtana, Yoga, yogainspiration
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