NeuroYoga

17/06/2022

There is a lot of wisdom in these rules. I particularly like the reframe of mistakes to lessons. What a difference it makes to accept a lesson gratefully and reflect upon what can be learned. I see a lot of people afraid of lessons, including myself, but embracing lessons is the key to growth.

21/01/2022

In the Yoga Sutra (II.28), Bhagavan Patanjali states that the path of yoga has eight limbs that should be practiced. The Sanskrit word he uses to mean “practice” is “anuṣṭhāna.” Other words can convey the meaning of “sustained practice.” The Yoga Sutra and its traditional commentaries use those words elsewhere. For example, yoga students may recognize the words “abhyāsa” and “sadhana.” Why is the word “anuṣṭhāna” chosen to introduce the eight limbs of yoga?

“Anuṣṭhāna” derives from the root “sthā” with the prefix “anu.” The root meaning is “to stay, be still, free of movement.”

Yoga is stillness. Patanjali reminds us of that goal with his precise selection of words here. The practice of the eight limbs is yoga only if it decreases the constant restlessness of our body, breath, senses, and mind. Just practicing movement or breathing does not constitute yoga. They should be done with progress toward that inner stillness.

This is what the Bhagavad Gita terms “yoga-yukta-karma,” literally meaning “actions done with yoga.” That is anuṣṭhāna—sustained, mindful practice of the eight limbs of yoga with a clear goal of, and path towards, increasing inner stillness.

✨ Learn about Yoga & Emotions with the Mohans at: on.svastha.net/3fNED25

20/12/2021

People now think that hatha yoga is doing asanas. In fact, they think it is yoga as exercise. That is how hatha yoga classes are marketed. But traditional hatha yoga is actually about controlling prana, our life force.

The practice of asanas should give us the ability to manage our prana. Then that asana practice can be called hatha yoga. This is not possible using physical movements alone. The key is to manage the breath.

Ancient hatha yoga texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Yoga Yajnavalkya consider asana as a stepping stone to pranayama. Only when we do effective pranayama, we can call our practice hatha yoga. Otherwise, the asana practice is only exercise or stretching.

Therefore, all serious yoga practitioners should learn to breathe well in asanas and start practicing pranayama regularly as soon as they are able. The lifelong practice of pranayama is the key to hatha yoga and it will also lead us to manage our mind through raja yoga.

✨ Learn in-depth, classical pranayama with the Mohans at: https://on.svastha.net/3bECgxI

13/04/2020

I've had a lifelong interest in practicing the martial arts, inspired initially like millions of others while watching the TV series Kung Fu, starring David Carradine. However many different styles of martial arts I tried, they always came across as shallow, focussing on physical techniques. Most martial arts centres now gain their revenue from teaching after school kids classes, or ultra violent mma styles. Many martial arts schools are even franchised. More recently as a Psychologist, I've been introduced to several forms of westernised mindfulness practices ( MBSR, MBCT, MBCBT), which all claim to strip away away the cultural baggage of buddhism to apply a scientifically tested version of the essence / active ingredient. When you think about it, the process is very similar to pharmaceutical companies that take a plant, and extract the most active ingredient, test it, patent it, and sell it. As the recent book, McMindfulness sheds light on the capitalistic, and corporatisation of buddhist principles, it occurs to me that this has also happened not surprisingly in yoga.

Ironically Bruce Lee was supposed to be cast in the Kung Fu Tv series, but the networks didnt want an asian actor playing the role.

My realisation is this : you cannot reduce these practices, yoga, buddhism, martial arts, to essences. Buddhism, yoga and traditional martial arts have strong ethical components to their practices, without which the benefits of practice will be unsustained, and will not lead to personal growth.

It is no accident that practices of meditation and mindfulness have become so ubiquitous in our neoliberal times.

05/04/2020

23/03/2020

22/03/2020

Planning on reminding myself about the wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh

06/03/2020

A friend of mine from Yoga Nidra teacher training has posted this video, and I think it is timely advice about managing our news consumption, and focussing on things we can control.

I’m stepping out on a limb today to talk about the two things you should never talk about: Religion and Politics. Well, not exactly religion. I, like many of you don’t follow a particular religious dogma yet am highly spiritual. Can politics and connection to spirit really coexist? I think so. W...

06/01/2020

Yoga isn’t just about moving your arms and legs as exercise. The traditional presentation of yoga is an extensive system of well-being and inner peace, from thousands of years ago. To ignore that and reinvent modern practices as “yoga” is like calling fast-food pizza an exemplary pioneer of Italian cuisine. But that doesn't mean you can ignore all modern food safety standards to cook like they did five hundred years ago either. There is a reason why infectious diseases are fewer in today’s world, that’s partly due to better hygiene practices. Similarly, your yoga teacher also has to follow modern safety standards and adopt modern science and knowledge. That’s one of the keys of Svastha Yoga and Ayurveda—to start from the deep well of traditional insight, and without losing what’s important, blend it with modern medical and well-being sciences.

Learn more at www.svastha.net

21/10/2019

Feeling busy, overwhelmed or tired at this time of year?! Two monthly workshops left for 2019: this coming Saturday 26th October and Saturday 30th November. In these workshops we have been exploring practising Ahimsa (kindness/gentleness) in both body and mind through different postural emphases. Imagine living in a body that feels comfortable and relaxed and a mind that is calm, clear and friendly! Suitable for all levels.

THIS SATURDAY we will be exploring Twists and improving Digestion. An opportunity to deepen our experience of Yoga through both dynamic movement and relaxation and reset the nervous system - without needing to take a whole weekend away.

Please let me know if you are interested in booking in for 3 hours of balanced practices (strengthening, opening, relaxing) and light refreshments in a peaceful setting.

Warmest wishes,

Geraldine x

20/04/2019

Couldn't resist this one :)

POSH sourdough bread is the same as normal bread but the baker has told it about aspirational lifestyle s**t like mindfulness, it has been revealed.