I can’t think of a more appropriate occasion than Valentine’s Day for a lesson on purushartha and the four desires of the soul. Aside from the obvious connection of desires (including kama or pleasure), this workshop is really an exercise in love, specifically self-love (cue Whitney Houston’s The Greatest Love of All). Rod Stryker creator of […]
I close every class I teach with these words from a loving kindness meditation: May all beings everywhere be healthy May all beings everywhere be happy May all beings everywhere be safe May all beings everywhere find peace. Meditating on loving kindness (also known as mettā meditation) is a practice intended to develop benevolence. Through this process, the practitioner […]
More and more evidence points to the improvements yoga and mindfulness training can make in the lives of children and adolescents. Yoga has been proven to decrease anxiety, conflict, and attention disorders. It’s been used to curtail bullying in school settings. Some studies show that teaching kids to manage stress and cultivate compassion can have a profound impact on the […]
At the studio we have a tiny statue of what is known as a Laughing Buddha. While not technically the Buddha, the round-bellied bald-headed figure represents a monk whose Chinese name is “Ho Tai.” Our bright orange version shows Ho Tai with hands overs his eyes. This is one of three related statues. The other two include […]
Congratulations, you’re starting your yoga journey! These 12 tips will help you prepare and know what to expect with your first class: 1) Wear comfortable clothing. You don’t need anything fancy for yoga. Just comfortable, stretchy bottoms and a fitted top (so it doesn’t ride up during certain poses). Layering with a long sleeve tee or light jacket allows […]
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” ~ The Bhagavad Gita Perhaps you’ve been hearing about the benefits of yoga and how it can improve your quality of life. Maybe a medical practitioner has recommended you take it up for health reasons. Or it could just be that with the new […]
Each and every day students and teachers achieve milestones in their yoga practice. From finding stillness in savasana for the first time to coming into handstand in the middle of the room, there are always new achievements to be grateful for and to celebrate. Moments like these easily get lost as we focus on the next ‘big’ thing […]
The new year is brimming with new beginnings, new commitments, and new resolve. An estimated 45% of Americans make resolutions at the start of the year. According to one study by the University of Scranton, those who make a resolve are 10 times more likely to meet their goal than someone who does not. However […]