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A Yoga Teaching: Complicated vs. Complex

Complication is distraction.Complexity is depth. Yoga philosophy and practices intend to unite mind, body, and spirit. Bringing together these three aspects of our being increases the complexity of our experience. As an example, yogic philosophy teaches that human beings are…

Helen Maupin

Sustainable Strategies for Lasting Personal Growth

Photo via Pexelsby guest blogger Chloe Pearson Embarking on a personal development journey is an exciting endeavor, but maintaining momentum over the long haul requires a sustainable approach. By integrating various strategies into your routine, you can ensure continuous growth…

Helen Maupin

YOGA ACTIONS for Supta Virabhadrasana II

The three Virabhadra poses in yoga are named after a great hero warrior in Hindu mythology. The attributes of a hero — strength, steadiness, and fierce determination — are represented in practicing each virabhadrasana with integrity. We practice Virabhadrasana, not to…

Helen Maupin

A Yoga Teaching: Niyamas’ Promises

A few weeks back, I wrote about yoga’s ethical guidelines, the Yamas, which fall under the first limb of Patanjali’s eight-limb practice. The second portion of this first limb, the five Niyamas, are choices we can make to forge an…

Helen Maupin

A Yoga Teaching: Yamas’ Promises

Yoga’s 10 ethical practices, Yamas and Niyamas, form the first limb of Patanjali’s 8-limb practice. This ranking signifies their importance in a yoga practitioner’s overall spiritual journey and moment-to-moment choices. These restraints and observances guide us to better relationships with…

Helen Maupin

YOGA ACTIONS for Supta Utthita Parsvakonasana

Supta Utthita Parsvakonasana is second in my series of supine standing poses, which will help you immediately identify where your conditioned, unconscious holding patterns reside in your body. The physical, energetic, and mental yoga actions provided with each pose will…

Helen Maupin

YOGA ACTIONS for Supta Utthita Trikonasana

What drew me to yoga over 25 years ago and continues to keep me practicing is its emphasis on balance. Not merely the kind of balance that keeps you from falling over, but the inner and outer balance between stability…

Helen Maupin

A Yoga Teaching: Be Real versus Belong

Truth rarely seems to ask the easier choice of us. Deborah Adele In her book, The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice, Adele writes about the many groups we belong to throughout our lifetime. As social beings, all these groups—country,…

Helen Maupin

YOGA ACTIONS for Bhishmasana

Bhishmasana’s extensive support and alignment enable a more profound restfulness, allowing the body to fully release tension and find a deep sense of calm. Tummee.com In the Iyengar tradition, Bhishmasana (Bed of Nails or Bed of Arrows) is specifically designed for…

Helen Maupin

A Yoga Teaching: Truthfulness (Satya)

The first and second of yoga’s eight limbs are the five yamas and five niyamas. The primary significance of these 10 ethical practices cannot be understated in today’s chaotic world. Non-violence (Ahimsa) and truthfulness (Satya) sadly appear absent in global,…

Helen Maupin

YOGA ACTIONS for Wall Stretch

The sedentary lifestyles of knowledge workers have them seated at a computer for several hours each day. Without daily movement that counteracts this inactivity, the space between spinal vertebrae and within all other joints in the body — shoulders, elbows,…

Helen Maupin

How to Spot Stressors and Handle Them Effectively

by guest blogger Chloe Pearson Stress affects both the mind and body, but managing it effectively can lead to a healthier, more balanced life. Recognizing stress triggers and incorporating holistic methods can help reduce tension and improve overall well-being. Strategies…

Helen Maupin