The Power of Shakti
Shakti is the dynamic force animating all of creation, which gives us life and moves the planets in a cosmic dance called “lila.” This universal energy is considered feminine in nature, and is often...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Second Chakra: Sensual
Svadhisthana (sweetness), or Sacral Chakra, is located at the lower abdomen between the belly button and pubic bone. It is symbolized by the color orange and a lotus with six petals, and its issues are...
View ArticleWhat is a Yogi?
Simply put, a yogi* is someone who practices yoga. So, if you've done a few downward facing dogs in your lifetime, does that make you a yogi? Um, probably not. While this standard definition of a yogi...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The First Chakra: Root
Muladhara, or Root Chakra, is located at the base of the spine. It is symbolized by the color red and a lotus with four petals. Muladhara represents the center of instincts, stability of mind and body,...
View ArticleThe Flow of Prana
The foundation of all life, of the whole universe, is the subtle life force energy that yogis call "prana." This mystical energy flows through our bodies and generates our every action – from gross...
View ArticleThe Five Yamas of Yoga
At the beginning of Patanjali’s eight-fold path of yoga lays the Yamas: the moral, ethical and societal guidelines for the practicing yogi. These guidelines are all expressed in the positive, and thus...
View ArticleVinyasa – Moving with the Breath
The synchronizing of physical movement with your breath in hatha yoga is called vinyasa. This technique allows you to create a deeper absorption of awareness through a rhythmic moving meditation while...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Which Yoga Class Is Right for You?
A few weeks ago my 85-year-old grandmother called me to get some advice about taking a yoga class. She’s not one of those senior yogis—in fact, she’s never done yoga before, and also recently tore her...
View ArticleVinyasa – Moving with the Breath
The synchronizing of physical movement with your breath in hatha yoga is called vinyasa. This technique allows you to create a deeper absorption of awareness through a rhythmic moving meditation while...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Which Yoga Class Is Right for You?
A few weeks ago my 85-year-old grandmother called me to get some advice about taking a yoga class. She’s not one of those senior yogis—in fact, she’s never done yoga before, and also recently tore her...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The 3 Gunas of Nature (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas)
In the philosophy of Yoga, all matter in the universe arises from the fundamental substrate called Prakriti. From this ethereal Prakriti the three primary gunas (qualities of energy) emerge creating...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Emotional Release Through Yoga
Feeling stuck and inflexible in a yoga posture may be more than just tight hamstrings; it could be some old feelings holding you back. Unexpressed emotions become stored and held in the body and, over...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Five Vayus
Through their exploration of the body and breath, the ancient yogis discovered that prana (life force energy) could be further subdivided into energetic components they called Vayus (winds). The five...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tantra Yoga – Defined and Demystified
Tantra Yoga is a relatively modern revamping of the ancient Vedic and yogic spiritual practices. The Tantrics developed innovative yet unorthodox techniques for allowing one to experience the reality...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Jnana Yoga: The Yoga of Wisdom
Yoga began as a mental practice to discover techniques and methods of using the mind to decrease suffering and to discover and create more contentment, joy, and peace. As yoga continued to be refined,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Karma Yoga: the Path of Selfless Action
The yogic concept of Karma has become commonplace all around the globe. Most likely because the law of karma is simple and understandable–you reap what you sow. Karma yoga is one of the four main...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Cause of Suffering: The 5 Kleshas
Suffering is an inherent aspect of human life. Yet, with great skill and awareness, we can choose how much and how deeply we suffer. Both the ancient yogis and the Buddhists point to the kleshas, the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Upanishads
The tradition of yoga originates from a long line of complex yet potent written teachings. While the Vedas are considered the most sacred and treasured spiritual texts of India, it is the Upanishads...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Shaucha: Yoga for Purifying Mind, Body and Spirit
Most spiritual traditions have rules and practices around cleanliness, some of which date back for centuries. There is a distinct link between the experience of purity and cleanliness and one's ability...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Attaining Moksha (Enlightenment) and Conquering Maya (Illusion)
Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and yoga philosophy all share common beliefs around the concept of self-realization and enlightenment. These ideas of the possibility of freedom, liberation, and...
View Article