Mary's Yoga Thoughts

There is not a "right" place to practice yoga asanas (physical postures).  But for me, each spot has its pros and cons. I choose one or the other depending on the day and what I want to take from the practice/ what energy I need at that time, or just what is possible. Practicing at home in my personal practice (no videos or teachers, just my own mind and body), is my time to be creative, explore, move intuitively, or through a regular familiar sequence. Here is where I learn so that when I teach, I can authentically "just teach what I know so far". (as my teacher, Syl says).  Practicing in a class allows me to learn new things from others, and to be guided, which takes less mental capacity for me. Home:  Pros:  Easy access Comfortable Private Playful, exploratory movement at my own pace Cons:  Distractions No guide/teacher Typically shorter practices Studio: Pros: Teacher to guide the practice Clean and quiet Learn from others Set length  Cons: Cost money Takes more

I had the opportunity to attend a meditation retreat this spring. I thoroughly enjoyed it. As meditation is often included as a part of a yoga practice, I thought I'd include here a few thoughts and experiences I had during my time at the retreat, at a secluded research station in Capitol Reef National Park.  Our teacher, Jarom, began by reminding us that we didn't need to expect anything magical or mystical to happen to us during meditation. It was simply a time to become aware of our mind and be present with ourselves. I appreciate this because I think we often have the idea that people who meditate are "enlightened" or "zen" or whatever. But really, most of us are just normal humans living a messy, beautiful existence, trying our best and finding the sublime in the mundane. We meditated laying down, sitting in chairs, walking on trails, and moving through simple postures. Sitting perfectly still on a cushion is not required.  Three requirements for a &quo

The image of a yogi is often a very flexible person. But here is the truth I wish everyone knew- Flexibility is a side effect of a yoga practice, not a prerequisite.  Our brain creates "set lengths" for muscles. We have the opportunity to dynamically stretch them gently and increase the resting or set length, so that when we return to practice again and again, slowly over time the flexibility increases. This allows for greater depth in postures, and healthier mobility in life. Different joints have different ideal combinations of flexibility and stability. They are interdependent. We do need to exercise caution as to not overdo it and cause injury (such as in synovial tissues that line joint capsules, susceptible to stretch injury). Hence me always reminding my students to trust themselves, and listen to the wisdom of their own bodies. Everything I say is an invitation, not a requirement. I'm also working to increase my understanding of anatomy to help cue my students (an

Yoga is more than Asanas (physical poses).  Patanjali, an ancient sage, mystic and philosopher in India, who is considered the "father of modern yoga", may have authored the Yoga Sutras. They outline a philosophy about how we can navigate life in a spiritually-attuned way. According to this work, which has become an important part of yogic tradition, there is an "eight-fold path" leading to liberation or , otherwise known as Ashtanga. ( ‘ashta’ means ‘eight’ and ‘anga’ means ‘limb’).  So, what are the 8 limbs?  1. YAMA – Restraints, moral disciplines or moral vows 2. NIYAMA – Positive duties or observances 3. ASANA – Posture 4. PRANAYAMA – Breathing Techniques 5. PRATYAHARA – Sense withdrawal 6. DHARANA – Focused Concentration 7. DHYANA – Meditative Absorption  8. SAMADHI – Bliss or Enlightenment You'll notice that when people think of yoga, its  only Asana. Also, the pose described in the yoga Sutras is actually just "seat". Meaning, sitting still, a

There is a quote I love, that has been attributed to Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu,  "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished". Whether or not he actually said it, I can still appreciate the wisdom and apply it to my own life.  One of my favorite things about yoga is the way it invites me to slow down. I am often in a rush, herding my children to the car, or school, a park, a store. Racing the clock, stressing and yelling and frankly, causing more commotion than is necessary to get from point A to point B. My mind is planning the schedule for tomorrow, or reciting a to-do list, or ruminating on something that happened last week, worrying about the future, or scrolling past a bunch of "what-if's".  When I arrive on my mat, with an hour (or just 10 minutes) set aside ONLY for practice, I do my best to bring my mind to meet my body, and move slowly and intentionally, tuning into my breath. In a yoga asana practice, the transitions between postures is ju