Real depth doesn’t come from sheer force (grunt yoga), but from the delicate art of balancing effort and surrender. “Effortless effort”, as described by B.K.S. Iyengar, refers to a state of yoga practice where physical exertion (stability) is balanced with a calm,…
Over the lifespan of human existence, many ‘thought models’ have emerged through which we attempt to understand who we are — psychological, biological, social, philosophical, yogic, religious, etc. In more recent history, as technologies accelerated the synthesis and integration of…
by guest blogger, Chloe Pearson Some days you wake up hollow. Nothing’s wrong, but everything feels just out of reach. That morning coffee doesn’t hit right, the mirror glares back too honestly, and the weight of the day ahead flattens…
Letting go of attachment to the fruits of one’s actions, one is ever content and does not have needs. Though one appears to be doing things (karma), actually the higher Self is the doer. Bhagavad Gita When we respond to…
In the ancient Yoga tradition, a spiritual teacher is called a Sat Guru, or teacher of truth. The word “guru” has two parts: “gu,” that which hides our true light, and “ru,” that which removes the covering. Nischala Joy Devi…
In my mid- to late-twenties, I suffered with depression. In retrospect, I had undergone three S.E.E.s (significant emotional events) — my father’s death, the end of my romantic relationship, and the end of my softball career because of a coach’s…
When chaos strikes, wheither outside of us in the form of political mayhem, war, and extreme weather conditions, or inside us with emotional grieving, conflicting values, or uncertainty, what we can also face is a crisis of faith. Although this…
Excerpt: This book, Gone Girl, captures watershed moments of passage beyond disciplining myself to forgive, accept, and surrender. It brought me across a threshold where being saved is eclipsed by even greater mysteries. And because I have always been one for…
Parivrtta Trikonasana or reverse triangle pose presents several challenges for yoga practitioners, primarily maintaining the stability of the pelvis and legs while rotating the rib cage. Those of us with constricted rib cages or shoulders may find ourselves rotating the…
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…
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…
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…
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