Surya Namaskara – Sun Salutations – the sequence of 12 postures we practice as a warm-up in the beginning of class, are a wonderful to begin a simple home practice. It is recommended for beginners to practice 2-3 rounds (one round is practiced on the right side – right foot steps back and forward into … More Surya Namaskara – Sun Salutations
While practicing pranayama (prana = vital life force energy, yama = control or expansion of) it’s useful to count the breaths to sustain a rhythm and also keep track of how long and how many breaths have taken place. One way is to count by chanting “Om” and a number internally. For example: “Om 1, … More Counting breath cycles during Pranayama
The Chakra system is part of the “Pranamaya Kosha” – our vital energy body (see post on the 5 koshas). The word Chakra means “wheel” or “vortex” – which can be a useful visualization of the seven energetic centers along the spine. The gross form of the chakras are the nervous and circulatory systems. Our … More The 7 Chakras – Energy Wheels
Prana – The Vital Life Force energy. The Prana Vayus (the five winds), are subtle channels in which prana is distributed throughout our being. Below is a brief summary: Prana Vayu – Felt and distributed by the Inhalation and organs of respiration from the heart to the throat (upward flow of prana) Apana Vayu – … More The 5 Prana Vayus – the 5 Winds
As we start to focus on the breath, Prana – our vital life force, we’re drawn to the subtle aspects of ourselves. Breathing through the right and left nostrils, Ida and Pingala Nadi, have profound affects on our energy and mind state which fluctuates throughout the day. A Nadi is an energy channel. There are … More The 3 Nadis
The 5 Koshas (Sheaths) are a great way to examine our practice and develop our “witness consciousness,” in the beginning stages of the practice. Like many paths and lists that lead the way for a practitioner, we learn it, become aware and then hopefully move on to experience all 5 levels and beyond! In my personal … More The 5 Koshas – Sheaths
The Path of Yoga was first laid out in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (Sutra = “threads”) written in Sanskrit in the second century B.C. It is the first book to attempt to communicate the actual practice of yoga. There are many interpretations of it. I like the translation by Swami Satchidananda from Integral Yoga school. They also print … More The 8 Limbs – The Tree of Yoga
