Healing: the process moving forward

Healing is such a broad word and concept. Even when we are healing we can feel the process, but how do we know that we are there? In yoga, each of us practices for many reasons, one of the main reasons is to alleviate suffering in the mind and body. As we practice asana and meditate we are hopefully releasing the scars of events that have occurred and left residual energy in our body. This residual energy can show up several ways, in our actions, in our physical body, and in our thoughts. I am relating to healing as what do I feel at peace with? What events or issues have I had that really do not have a residual element in my body and mind. Then meditating on those things that I am not at peace with, and deciding how to keep the process going in those areas. Yoga clears those areas of residual energy, so a daily practice is of the utmost importance. Today my practice is lot of seated poses, upper body backbends and openers, while I heal my leg and keep load off of it. I am more peaceful, and content during this time to allow my leg to heal fully. Enjoy your practice, if you do not have a daily practice, find a suitable teacher to assist you. If you are getting to class once a week, then do things you remember from class or ask your teacher.

Keep on practicing! Namaste'

Niyamas Tapas: discipline and desire for practice

As I continue with my recovery, and focus more deeply everyday on my practice, a combination of Pilates and Yoga, I find myself enjoying thoroughly the time that I have when doing it. Tapas, was one of the Niyamas that I usually had trouble understanding and getting, but as I do my practice, Tapas, provides me with self discipline even when we are not up for getting on our mat, the desire and fire within to practice, feel better about our selves and the world around us becomes the motivator.

I find I am slow and kind with my practice, right now limited to floor, and seated and supine work, is feeling wonderful, to stretch and feel changes each day in my body. If you haven't made it to your mat today, there is still time! Namaste' Denise

Niyama #2 Santosha(Contentment)

As I recuperate and begin looking at my yoga practice, spending time on yoga philosophy is a wonderful way for me to heal and refocus. After the last two weeks and spending time detaching from so many things, I am left with time on my hands and a great deal of open space in my schedule! Santosha when I was reading today seemed to resonate a great deal with my daily challenge, Contentment. Experiencing Contentment is similar to having a bowl of water, when it is still it is calm, reflective and quiet but if the bowl gets moved or bumped, the water spills out, or is making waves with in it. So not peaceful, or calm.

Finding contentment when most days are like the bowl being bumped is difficult to find equilibrium. Right now as I recuperate, I picture this bowl, an I develop a quiet contented day, learning and practicing something new or just quietly getting things done for myself. It has also opened a door to do things I have put off for along time and to give relationships attention as well. Santosha is defined with being content with your surroundings, where you are in life and with things as they are without desires.

Desires are a tricky business, I desire to be healed and ready to move on, BUT that takes the ebb of time, and patience(peace of mind) to let it happen. So cultivating Santsoha in the current moment, being with the task I am doing, reading a book,
exercising as I am able. Is the best way to notice each moment and come back from the needing to know the future and building expectations.

"All is well in the present moment. Let the present make you smile." Namaste'

Attachment or should I say Detachment?

The Yamas specifically Aparigraha is one of the core focuses through out our yoga journey as yogi's. In everyday life it can not always be noticeable,or easy to spot. I do asana practice everyday and mediation as well each day, and even with this practice it did not prepare me for the unexpected moment. I had a physical mishap which would tear me away from what I love doing each day and the schedule that I love to keep. Amazing the lesson in Aparigraha, possessive attachment- or should we say detachment.
I spent a long week, unraveling a schedule I love, and noticed that I was very attached to it. I now am on a bit lengthy rest period and noticing the amount of detachment that is needed in my daily life as a yogi. Nothing is for certain, and the yamas and niyamas give us the base of yoga philosophy to guide us for these moments. I now am working one day at a time and focusing on each moment even more than I did before. Cultivating a deep sense of awareness of what attachments I have, what I can find energy to detach from and what can assist me in feeling grounded in this moment. Namaste'
for more information, message me or reference a copy of the yoga sutras.