wow so seeing this sure spurred on a new post! There's a couple of yogis bicycling across the continent promoting yoga and a sustainable life.
check them out http://www.growyogafarm.org/
and if you happen to read this in time, they're teaching a class at the St Norbert Farmer's Market on August 13 from 9-10:30. I'm teaching at that time, so if you go, do let me know what it's like!
I just came back from a Kirtan with Swaha http://www.swaha.ca/
Gratitude for sharing this sacred celebration with community
Is there a song, a mantra or sound that has been serving your journey? If so, I'd love to hear it!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Softening Resistance
I simply wish to share some mantra medicine that has been serving me and helping me to soften my resistance to being present and compassionate with myself.
Deva Premal sings the Moola Mantra. Let me know what this chant is like for you, or share your favorite mantra right now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLvbmpmKylM
Deva Premal sings the Moola Mantra. Let me know what this chant is like for you, or share your favorite mantra right now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLvbmpmKylM
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Holding space for opposites
Is it time that your internal opposites faced each other?
It's a good thing that I've learned a bit about duality/non-duality/unity through some Eastern philosophies. Otherwise, I might still be completely convinced ( I still am a little) that I was at least a tad nutters for all the ups and downs and opposites I would oscillate between.
I've learned two main things.
1) That's OK. You're Human.
2) Congratulations, you have tools and toys for exploring what that means.
Here are two of my favorite ways to explore dynamic duality.
1) Alternate nostril breathing.
A breath that flows in one side of your body, and out the other. A way to explore the right and left sides of your body, balance the hemispheres of your brain, and soothe your nervous system (among other benfits). After practicing I like to breath deeply exploring my body again as one whole.
2) Two Part Dialogue
A technique I learned as a part of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. In a nutshell, one witnesses two different sensations in their body. Give it a try.
First, sense in to a part of your body where you notice sensation. Stay with it for a few breaths and get really familiar with it.
Then, find another spot in your body with very different or opposite kinds of sensations. Stay here and explore. Keep noticing what's happening now as you go back and forth between the 2 kinds of sensations. Notice what it's like to hold space for both.
Let me know what this was like for you, or if you'd like instructions for the Alternate Nostril breath by e-mailing me at jessicawynyoga@gmail.com
Have a balanced day. How are you going to play on the teeter totter today?
"It's ok to have too much fun"-quote on the door at PRYT training center
Picture from http://thefoxesclub.yolasite.com/fox-chat.php
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Summer Solstice
Namaste and Happy Solstice!
How are you welcoming Summer and honoring the shortening of days?
This morning I woke up early for a special Summer Solstice practice at the Yoga Shala (440 Don Ave.)
A grey cloud cover rippled overhead as my partner and I biked to the studio. There was an opening across the building streaked horizon where the morning's glow shone through. We had time to enjoy the songs of the birds by the river before heading inside. We were one of the first to arrive. I liked seeing the other yogis flow in, seeing who'd I'd be sharing this practice with. The studio filled up and we were led through a flowing Ashtanga practice by Jonathan Austman. Thelonious Monk said that talking about music is like dancing architecture. I sometimes feel the same about my personal practice. But here's this-the power of practicing in community with a skilled teacher with the intention to serve is like no home practice I can ever have.
If you're interested in the Mysore practice of Ashtanga, check out the Canada Day open house.
Create a delicious day
How are you welcoming Summer and honoring the shortening of days?
This morning I woke up early for a special Summer Solstice practice at the Yoga Shala (440 Don Ave.)
A grey cloud cover rippled overhead as my partner and I biked to the studio. There was an opening across the building streaked horizon where the morning's glow shone through. We had time to enjoy the songs of the birds by the river before heading inside. We were one of the first to arrive. I liked seeing the other yogis flow in, seeing who'd I'd be sharing this practice with. The studio filled up and we were led through a flowing Ashtanga practice by Jonathan Austman. Thelonious Monk said that talking about music is like dancing architecture. I sometimes feel the same about my personal practice. But here's this-the power of practicing in community with a skilled teacher with the intention to serve is like no home practice I can ever have.
If you're interested in the Mysore practice of Ashtanga, check out the Canada Day open house.
Create a delicious day
Monday, June 20, 2011
Life out of Balance? What is your self-care priority?
My friend's mom recently said that life doesn't have ups and downs. Life is ups and downs.
How do we learn to roll fluidly with them, even with grace?
Self-care needs to be a priority. How have you taken care of yourself today?
Budhha said- "You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
I've been noticing myself getting out of balance lately. I was wondering why. I have been doing my yoga and kirtan daily. What was missing? The invigoration I felt this weekend was just the answer. Talking with people living an inspired life, fire play and dancing, being in nature were exactly what I was needing to fuel my spirits.
Here's a great video by Sierra Sullivan of lifestylized.com talking about this. I always appreciate seeing other people learning the same lessons as I. It brings about a feeling of a wider community.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6JX9G-RbRQ&feature=player_embedded#at=317
How do you take care of yourself and rejuvenate?
How do we learn to roll fluidly with them, even with grace?
Self-care needs to be a priority. How have you taken care of yourself today?
Budhha said- "You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
I've been noticing myself getting out of balance lately. I was wondering why. I have been doing my yoga and kirtan daily. What was missing? The invigoration I felt this weekend was just the answer. Talking with people living an inspired life, fire play and dancing, being in nature were exactly what I was needing to fuel my spirits.
Here's a great video by Sierra Sullivan of lifestylized.com talking about this. I always appreciate seeing other people learning the same lessons as I. It brings about a feeling of a wider community.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6JX9G-RbRQ&feature=player_embedded#at=317
How do you take care of yourself and rejuvenate?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
How can we bring Yoga into Politics?
Politics have been a huge topic lately. All the goings-on can pull us in many directions, playing with our thoughts and emotions. What do we do with all of that rage and worry? That passion for a just and harmonious system? Or with that apathy towards something we feel we can't change?
For me, the answer is my practice. Connecting in to the present moment through my body and breath serves me every time. Honoring the ranges of emotions through kirtan (love centered chanting/singing) has been so nourishing.
When things in this world of ours gets to be overwhelming and the doom sets in....
Stop. Here, Now. Breath. Notice what's happening. Are your thoughts really present? what stories are they saying? Are emotions surfacing? What do you notice in your body? Remember that everybody, including You, has unique gifts to offer this world. Instead of slinking back from the world, tap into your essence to see what you can offer. How do you want to be of service? The Sanskrit word Seva means self-less service, to offer your actions to something bigger. It can come in many forms, so do what feels right for you.
In Krishna Das's book "Chants of a Lifetime" he talks about when he left his guru in India. He asked Maharaji, his Guru, "How can I serve you?"
"If I told you, it wouldn't be service." Maharaji replied. So Krishna Das sings as his service. Some dance. Some make food for others, garden, create groups.
Whatever you do, be clear on the intention behind it.
A friend of mine posted this great quote. Perhaps you too will find it suiting in response to recent events.
In Service,
With Love
Namaste
Jess
For me, the answer is my practice. Connecting in to the present moment through my body and breath serves me every time. Honoring the ranges of emotions through kirtan (love centered chanting/singing) has been so nourishing.
When things in this world of ours gets to be overwhelming and the doom sets in....
Stop. Here, Now. Breath. Notice what's happening. Are your thoughts really present? what stories are they saying? Are emotions surfacing? What do you notice in your body? Remember that everybody, including You, has unique gifts to offer this world. Instead of slinking back from the world, tap into your essence to see what you can offer. How do you want to be of service? The Sanskrit word Seva means self-less service, to offer your actions to something bigger. It can come in many forms, so do what feels right for you.
In Krishna Das's book "Chants of a Lifetime" he talks about when he left his guru in India. He asked Maharaji, his Guru, "How can I serve you?"
"If I told you, it wouldn't be service." Maharaji replied. So Krishna Das sings as his service. Some dance. Some make food for others, garden, create groups.
Whatever you do, be clear on the intention behind it.
A friend of mine posted this great quote. Perhaps you too will find it suiting in response to recent events.
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." --Martin Luther King, Jr
In Service,
With Love
Namaste
Jess
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Spring Classes
This snowy May day doesn't feel much like spring, but the buds on the trees and rhubarb leaves say otherwise.
Time for some rejuvination and community connection with our Yoga practice! I appreciated my winter hibernation, but am loving the emergence from the cacoon. Here's my current class list for the spring. I'm looking for a place in the exchange to offer classes, and will be updating soon with outdoor yoga locations and times.
Mondays/Thursdays (starting May 9) 1:30-2:30 U of W Duckworth center- only $45 for non students for the 2 month term. wow!
Saturdays-4:00-500 at Be Yoga (474 St Mary's) a Gentle class in chairs for those with limited mobility or who are wanting a more subtle and slow practice
Sundays-1030-1130 &230-330 flowing classes, 400-500 Restorative at Be Yoga
Namaste
Time for some rejuvination and community connection with our Yoga practice! I appreciated my winter hibernation, but am loving the emergence from the cacoon. Here's my current class list for the spring. I'm looking for a place in the exchange to offer classes, and will be updating soon with outdoor yoga locations and times.
Mondays/Thursdays (starting May 9) 1:30-2:30 U of W Duckworth center- only $45 for non students for the 2 month term. wow!
Saturdays-4:00-500 at Be Yoga (474 St Mary's) a Gentle class in chairs for those with limited mobility or who are wanting a more subtle and slow practice
Sundays-1030-1130 &230-330 flowing classes, 400-500 Restorative at Be Yoga
Namaste
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)