Living the Wisdom of Yoga in Modern Times

Essential Yoga Reading

The practice of Asana or Yoga Poses is only 1 aspect of yoga. Yoga is also a way of living and the philosophy of yoga is "practiced" as well.There are many great books out there on Yoga, but the books below form the cornerstone of any balanced practice.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The Yoga Sutras is hands down one of the most important books ever written about Yoga. Scholars believe that it was written somewhere around the second century BCE and it explains what Yoga is and how to incorporate it into your life. There are many interpretations of the ancient Sanskrit text but my favorite one is by Swami Satchidananda. 

 The Bhagavad Gita

The Gita is pretty scary to alot of people because it is a Hindu Holy Book. Amidst the stores of Gods and Goddesses there is a considerable amount of commentary on Yoga. It was composed somewhere between the 5th and 2nd century BCE and there are many translations for this one as well. It tells the story of Arjuna, a man who is torn because he is forced to go to war with his own family members and loved ones. Lord Krishna, a Hindu god, comes to him in the form of a charioteer, and gives him wisdom to help him in his anguished state.  The one I read was, The Bhagavad Gita: A Walk Through For Westerners.

Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar

Light on Yoga is one of the most comprehensive texts on yoga philosophy,Asana ( Physical Yoga Practice)  and Pranayama. If you can only get one book that encompasses everything, this is the book for you. It includes the Yoga Sutras as well as detailed pictures of Asana poses and how to practice them. It doesn't replace a good teacher but it is a great supplement.

Honorable Mentions:

 The Hatha Yoga Pradapika

It is the oldest surviving text on yoga. I have yet to find a translation I like though. Maybe you can suggest one to me.

The Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar

This book was written by the son of Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya gave us the gift of Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Vini Yoga and his teachings pretty much formed the foundation of most westernized systems of yoga. This is a beautiful book that seeks to shed light on the man who revolutionized yoga and set the record straight on his teachings. It also teaches you about forming a personal practice.

Asanas: 608 Yoga Poses by Dharma Mitra

Dharma Mitra took pictures of himself practicing as a gift to his teacher and the shots were later made into a book. It is a beautiful collection of poses that will challenge any student.

The Commercialization of Yoga: Yoga Inc

There has been a lot of talk on blogs lately regarding the commercialization of yoga and rather or not Western Yoga culture had a lot to do with that. Even esteemed teachers like Deepak Chopra have commented on it.  I have been pretty vocal about this in the past but it only built up an energy of resistance that has not served me. I do know one thing for sure, there is nothing constant in the world but change.

Below is a controversial movie that was made recently called Yoga inc that speaks towards this phenomenon. Enjoy.

Discipline & Surrender

 I throw the words discipline and surrender  around a lot thinking that it is a good thing and a compliment. It takes discipline to eat right, work out, have a steady yoga practice and just do the right thing on a daily right? Surrendering to love, peace, happiness and to the present moment sounds like a good plan right? But then I looked it up in the dictionary. 

 discipline definition

dis·ci·pline (dis′ə plin′, -plən)

noun

1. a branch of knowledge or learning
2. 1. training that develops self-control, character, or orderliness and efficiency
   2. strict control to enforce obedience
3. the result of such training or control; specif.,
   1. self-control or orderly conduct
   2. acceptance of or submission to authority and control
4. a system of rules, as for a church or monastic order
5. treatment that corrects or punishes

I had totally forgotten that discipline could also be seen as a negative.  To many people, discipline feels like a prison. It feels suffocating and limited, stagnant and conformist. In a society where we pretty much spend 40 hours a week being told what to do, we don't want to give up control of our personal time either. Discipline is a punishment.

Then I looked up surrender is something I also do a lot and find quite liberating but oh my goodness, that definition was even worse.

Noun

• S: (n) resignation, surrender (acceptance of despair)
• S: (n) giving up, yielding, surrender (a verbal act of admitting defeat)
• S: (n) surrender (the delivery of a principal into lawful custody)
• S: (n) capitulation, fall, surrender (the act of surrendering (usually under agreed conditions)) "they were protected until the capitulation of the fort"

Good grief!!!!   Who would want to "resign", "admit defeat" or "give up"?  No wonder people have such a problem with this!

However......

They are necessary. Think of anyone you know who has accomplished anything great. At some point they practiced control, went through training, systematically followed rules of conduct and diplomacy and submitted themselves to ideals, circumstances and the teaching of others.  They surrendered to love, courage, and the present moment in order to create better moments for themselves and future generations.  Your favorite activist like Martin Luther King and  Gandhi practiced it. Your favorite athletes like Lance Armstrong and Michael Jordan practiced it. Your favorite performers from Beyonce to Johnny Depp have it. Your favorite yoga inspirations like Pattabhi Jois and Ana Forest practiced it. It all took discipline and some work done out of love, to do something great. 

Discipline and surrender don't have to be a chore, hard work or an act of resignation. It is just the courage to go after what you want full throttle with no excuses. It is our ability to tap into the greatness that we were born into and the fullness of who we are meant to be. 

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

Internet Inspirations: Peace Love Yoga

I absolutely want to be this chick when I grow up..LOL.. She does some of the most effortless yoga poses I have every seen. Check out her channel on you tube. You will not be disappointed. http://www.youtube.com/user/peaceloveyoga

 

 

 

Oprah's Interview With Spritual Teacher Thich Nhat Hanh

I absolutely loved this interview. Everything he said was so amazing. Oprah did a great job introducing him.

He's been a Buddhist monk for more than 60 years, as well as a teacher, writer, and vocal opponent of war—a stance that left him exiled from his native Vietnam for four decades. Now the man Martin Luther King Jr. called "an apostle of peace and nonviolence" reflects on the beauty of the present moment, being grateful for every breath, and the freedom and happiness to be found in a simple cup of tea.

The interview is below.

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Oprah-Talks-to-Thich-Nhat-Hanh/2

Joint Health

I am a very active person. I have suffered from some knee issues due to pushing myself a little bit beyond what was healthy.  There are a few things that helped me to heal my ailing joints. I am not a doctor so use at your own risk.

The Permanent Pain Cure by Ming Chew

This is an amazing book that shows you how to use simple myofacial release techniques to heal common ailments like back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain and many others. It also instructs you in the proper diet and supplementation to speed healing. This book is a miracle worker. I always see results immediately. I have recommended this book to aerobic instructors, weight lifters and yogi's alike and they all have phenomenal results. This is a great resource for yoga teachers because it gives you insight into yoga therapy. He explains what muscles you need to work in order to heal certain ailments. You can then use yoga postures to heal your joint issues along with the techniques in this book. You can get it at Amazon.com and many popular bookstores.

Synergistic Joint Supplements

You can get these anywhere. They are usually a mix of MSM, Gloucosamine, & Chondroiton. Osteo Bi Flex is a very popular one but there are many others.  Below are some articles that explain how these supplements help.

Top 4 Joint Supplements

Joint Health Supplements

Systemic Enzymes

Systemic Enzymes reduce inflammation and eat scar tissue. I use these anytime I have major soreness or after big workshops or particularly intense yoga sessions. The most potent ones are extremely expensive but well worth the cost. I use Vitalzym and I get it from Energetic Nutrion online. You have to be very careful with these. They will cause stomach upset if you use too much. I would suggest slowly working up to the suggested dose. If you experience digestive upset, then lower the dose back down. I personally can only take 3 at a time. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS.

Here is information on Systemic Enzymes

http://systemicenzymes.net/

Ninja Assassin

Okay so Ninja Assassin has nothing to do with the 8 limbs of yoga and actually breaks the whole "do no harm" limb but I could not help but be amazed at how this guy lifted from the floor into handstand and then did handstand push ups.  We could argue that it is a Hollywood stunt but perhaps you have never seen Lino Miele go from boat to handstand or seen Santina from Gold Coast Yoga Center float. I definitely think it is doable...just not by me...today....or maybe not this lifetime... but it definitely will not stop me from trying.