Musings on Meditation V This is the fifth in a series of posts on meditation. Read part I, part II, part III and part IV. Disclaimer: The world of meditation is vast and complex, just like you and me and all human beings. Different lineages, schools of thought, religions and traditions have different approaches. Feel … Continue reading Meditate With Your Body
Tag: yoga philosophy
On Alignment
In the yoga world, we often talk about alignment—one of the keys to mastering postures and truly feeling the benefits of yoga. There are many views and approaches to how we can best align our bodies in the forms and movements of yoga. There are also many reasons why alignment is so crucial to yoga … Continue reading On Alignment
It’s All About Shavasana
One of the things that makes yoga is special is the way it ends. Most, if not all sessions close with a few minutes of total rest, lying on our backs with the arms and legs out, in the posture known as shavasana. I happily confess that it is one of my favourite poses. But … Continue reading It’s All About Shavasana
The Path of Life
By Charu Ramesh धर्मे चार्थे च कामे च मोक्षे च भरतर्षभ । यदि इहस्ति तदन्यत्र यन नेहस्ति न तद् क्वचित् ॥ O King, that which is found here [in The Mahabharata] on dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (desire) and moksha (salvation), can be found elsewhere; but if it is not here, it cannot be found anywhere … Continue reading The Path of Life
Dharana & Dhyana: A Somatic Perspective
by Vaishali Iyer The eight limbs of yoga described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are often taught as a step-by-step ascent, or a process of deepening interiorization which culminates with samadhi in formal sitting meditation. Many times we approach this framework sequentially, beginning with our action in the world, moving through asana and pranayama and only … Continue reading Dharana & Dhyana: A Somatic Perspective
Yoga Stories
By Charu Ramesh Have you ever wondered why Yoga poses have such esoteric names? Why should it be Hanumanasana and not just the splits? What is the value addition in calling a low lunge Anjaneyasana? And why can’t it be a simple forward bend rather than Paschimottanasana? It all comes back to the purpose of … Continue reading Yoga Stories
Why Yin? (Part III)
by Vaishali Iyer This is the third and final in my series of posts on yin yoga. In this last post, I want to talk about how yin yoga helps us access the body’s natural healing capabilities. We have already seen how yin yoga is a way of consciously re-entering the natural cycles of life; … Continue reading Why Yin? (Part III)
Why Yin? (Part II)
BY VAISHALI IYER This is the second in a series of posts about the magic of yin yoga. In my first post, I spoke of the way yin practice helps us slow down and enter a different sense of time as we feel the body more and more deeply. Giving ourselves this ‘yin time’ clears … Continue reading Why Yin? (Part II)
Practising with Integrity: Thoughts on Sthira-Sukham Asanam
by Vaishali Iyer This month I’m co-teaching a course on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. In preparation, I’ve been exploring some of the text’s key themes in my regular weekly classes. I’ve taught about staying focused and stilling the mind through somatic awareness (citta vritti nirodha); learning to honour the truth (satya) of your body and your … Continue reading Practising with Integrity: Thoughts on Sthira-Sukham Asanam
The Still Space 