Finding Inner Peace: The True Meaning of Santosha In a world filled with constant change and external pressures, finding inner peace can seem like a daunting task. Yet, there is a concept in yoga philosophy that offers a pathway to lasting contentment, no matter what life throws our way. This concept is known as Santosha.…
Chakras: Beyond the Myths and Misconceptions Chakra, pronounced “chu-kra,” not “sha-kra” commonly translates to “circular wheel-like disc.” However, the common terms we often hear, like chakra blockages, balancing, opening, or healing, can be misleading. Traditional Yoga texts suggest that chakras don’t need opening because they aren’t closed, nor do they need healing because they aren’t…
The five kleshas (‘clay-shas’) in the Yoga sutras as known as afflictions, often translated as poisons and seen as the root of our discontent. We could simply think of them as obstacles in our minds that make us unhappy. They are: 1.Ignorance/delusion avidya 2.Ego asmita 3.Attachment raga 4.Aversion dvesa 5.Fear of death/change abinivesah These can…
Choosing to use a prop in yoga isn’t always a practical decision but more often an emotional one. Each prop carries a unique energy and symbolism, resonating differently with individuals. Whether it’s the comforting embrace of a bolster or the grounding stability of a block, or your nervous system feeling supported nestled into a meditation…
Unlocking the Secrets of Flexibility: Nature vs. Nurture Are we born flexible, or do we become flexible over time? It’s a question that’s intrigued fitness enthusiasts and scientists alike. Let’s delve into flexibility and uncover the truth. Contrary to popular belief, our exercise routines and physical activities play only a minor role in determining our…
The Bhagavad Gita in a Nutshell: A Timeless Guide To Finding Purpose and Peace Have you ever felt torn between duty and desire? Unsure of your path in life? If so, you’re not alone and this ancient text provides guidance to timeless problems we can all relate to, it is the key text of yoga…
To be clear, sound has a completely different relationship to yoga and rest…but playlists, tracks and tunes… what’s the nitty gritty? There are so many great conversations out there and personally I love that challenge to my own comfort and narrative as a teacher and practitioner. Here’s my flip flops on music as a key…
The practice isn’t the problem. In fact, the practice is the solution (not asana, the ‘other’ bit) We may actually be the problem… who recognises this arc either as your own journey or someone who know? We start going to yoga classes. We go a LOT. Going to yoga defines us and we…
Your yoga practice is a personal journey inwards, an interiorization. One concept connected to that is the inward turning of the mind and senses, pratyahara. It is often misunderstood as pushing away experiences and shutting the world out, forcing yourself into avoidance and isolation, believing this is true withdrawal. These are the teachings of Kaya…
Savasana, also known as Corpse Pose, symbolises the ‘death’, end of the physical practice and the beginning of the deeper inward yoga practices. It is a foundational yoga posture that embodies the essence of non-sleep deep rest or NSDR. In this pose, practitioners lie down, allowing their bodies and minds to enter a guided tour…