Mary's Yoga Thoughts

Language has power. Words bring about thoughts and feelings that create our reality. Chant or Mantra is a way to intentionally use our own language and voice to bring about goodness, peace, and gratitude, rather than unconsciously repeating words or thoughts that don't serve us.  Yoga includes using the voice, with mantra, which is just repeated words or sounds. The Vedas state that sound is the most direct path to the Divine. As a lifelong singer and lover of music, I have felt this in my life, using the instrument and power of my voice- singing in choirs, in forests, during birth, in front of crowds, and alone in the shower.  Chant or mantra can also be meditative. The repetitions and the awareness of silence and openness allow an expansive experience. It provides a point for the mind to focus on, and activates the throat chakra, which has its own benefits. Sanskrit is the classical language of India, used for religious rituals and ceremonies. Most Sanskrit mantra could be d...

Bodhi Yoga typically includes hands-on adjustments, as they can deepen the benefits and feel of the yoga practice. I've offered many times, during my student teaching, and usually students politely decline. Which is okay, its not personal to me. Not every student wants or can tolerate or likes hands-on adjustments.  When a student is practicing yoga, they are making internal adjustments, within their active range of motion, meaning the muscles are moving the body. When they use a prop, a limb, or a partner to move, they explore the passive range of motion, using that external force. A yoga teacher can act as that external force in moving the body gently. It slightly changes the feel of a posture and also introduces the added element of your own energy. It can be incredibly healing when done correctly.  As a general rule, touch requires trust and mutual respect. I always ask for consent and communicate before even the lightest touch. I try to wait until we've built a rapport....

Ayurveda is the Science of Life A natural system of medicine developed in ancient India. Dosha is each person's biological physical temperament based on a threefold situation at conception: mother and father's biology, the individual/s spirit, and God's will/ Universe.  Three Primary Doshas (ayurvedic mind-body elements) (each have physical and personality characteristics, challenges, things that bring them into balance) Vata- (air and space)- moves: cold, dry, light, mobile, small boned, thin, either very short or very tall, fast speaking, alert, active, forgetful, energetic, spacey. Balanced by grounding, warmth, stability, routine, consistency, heaviness. Pitta- (fire and water)- transforms: light, hot, oily and unstable, transforming, equally proportioned physique, strong, muscular, stamina, anger, jealousy, direct. Balanced by moderation, cooling, stillness, leisure, according to plan, facts only. Kapha- (earth)- holds things together: larger build, paw-like hands and ...

  This year I read a book by Deborah Adele,  The Yamas & Niyamas, Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice, to deepen my understanding of the philosophy and ethics of yoga. The Yamas and Niyamas are 2 of the 8 limbs of yoga.  The Yamas are "external restraints", or How I Interact with the World.  They include:  Ahimsa (non-violence) Asteya (non-stealing) Satya (truthfulness) Brachmacharya (moderation/non-excess) Aparigraha (simplicity/non-possessiveness) According to Adele, The Yamas are instructions to move in a certain direction. They require familiarity and daily practice. They turn us from harming ourselves and others to kindness and compassion for self and others, from lies and half-truths to expressing our uniqueness and authenticity, from theft to cultivating new skills and abilities, from greed to appreciation and pleasure without excess, and from attachment to intimacy without possession. The Yamas are "social disciplines, guiding us into harmony, peace an...