Sleeping Buddha School of Yoga

25/07/2024

Ahh - the breath! It holds so many possibilities within it.

Watching over your breath comprehensively is one of the most important skills you can cultivate for your yoga practice and for your well-being.

The breath is not a blank slate upon which we write patterns. It is an involuntary function. The breath is happening whether we are aware of it or not. So, we are always creating a breathing pattern on top of an existing breathing pattern. So, even as you continue to master more techniques of breathing, remember to practice awareness and observation of your breath.

Make it a point to notice your natural breath whenever you can. It changes depending on your posture, stress levels and tension, diet, sleep quality and more. Therefore, it can tell you a lot about the state of your body and mind!

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04/07/2024

If we want to change we can’t keep doing the same thing - conscious effort and awareness is required. This is what Yoga teaches.

We can decide to think, feel, and act differently. Instead of reacting to life without awareness, we can choose to respond with care and wisdom. That is the root of personal transformation. That is the root of yoga.

We can effect no real or lasting transformation without this stream of awareness interposed between situation and reaction.

This conscious effort is the basis of yoga. It is this effort that brings about the changes all the way from a distracted mind to complete focus or samadhi.

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20/06/2024

Happy International Day of Yoga.
This year’s theme is Yoga for Self and Society. The two go together. If you are truly practicing yoga then the benefits will naturally flow to those around you. Take some time today to breathe, to relax, to be grateful 🙏

18/06/2024

In modern yoga practice, a fundamental question arises: "What practice should I be doing?" This question often surfaces when one realizes that yoga practices are not just about asana (postures).

A key source of wisdom for these practices is the Taittiriya Upanishad, an ancient text that discusses the five koshas and is also connected to the five skandhas in Buddhism. The Upanishad tells a story where a son asks his sage father about the supreme goal to follow and attain. The father lists several supreme values such as satya (truth), tapas (austerity), dharma (ethics), and dana (charity), and concludes with nyasa, which means renunciation or sannyasa. This concept of letting go is also essential in the paths of jnana yoga (knowledge and renunciation) and bhakti yoga (devotion and surrender to the Divine).

The ultimate goal of these practices is to achieve shanti (peace), which leads to sukha (contentment and inner pleasantness). This peace must originate from within, as external sources are inherently unstable.

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⭐️ New Book: Krishnamacharya in His Own Words. See more at: bit.ly/krishnamacharya-in-his-own-words.

13/09/2023

To make changes requires continuous effort!

When we set out to transform our minds and bodies through yoga, it is not always a stroll in a garden of roses! The journey is more like a hike across unfamiliar country where beauty coexists with hurdles like thorny bushes, steep hills, and deep rivers across our path.

To change our bodies and minds for the better, we may need to overcome resistance from the body and even more from the mind.

If we give up whenever we encounter a challenge because it is too uncomfortable to face, we will never make any progress. Our bodies and minds will remain stuck in their old patterns.

This persistence in the face of discomfort and challenge is called tapas in the Yogasutra. Quite literally, the word tapas derives from the root words “to heat,” and “to bear mental discomfort.” Facing challenges is a tough business, and enough to make us sweat, metaphorically!

⭐️ New Book: Krishnamacharya in His Own Words. See more at: bit.ly/krishnamacharya-in-his-own-words.
👉 In-depth Svastha Yoga Therapy training (300 & 800 hours) is now online. Learn more at: on.svastha.net/3IcJFAZ.

03/07/2023

Today is Guru Purnima - a day to give thanks to our teachers.
I am forever grateful for my teachers who generously pass on the wisdom of yoga 🙏

21/06/2023

Happy International Day of Yoga

11/03/2023

Long, smooth breath

08/03/2023

To all us women who bring compassion, kindness, fun, love, strength, determination, softness, creativity and so much more to this world!! 🙏

02/01/2023

May 2023 bring you many peaceful and happy moments. No pressure to do or be anything you don’t want. Setting manageable daily intentions may help prevent overwhelm.
Take care of yourself 💕

24/12/2022

Best wishes for the holiday season.
May you find time to rest and recoup.

(Thanks for the image Leunig)

05/12/2022

Our postures should be steady and comfortable - no pain or excessive effort. Modifications can be used to help attain these qualities in our practice.

Sri Krishnamacharya always used to tell me that asana should not be uncomfortable. No pain. But there is effort in asana. We need to be stable. If we are too relaxed, we will become unstable. If our body is unstable, our breath and mind also become unsteady. Bhagavan Patanjali wisely guides us to cultivate both stability and comfort.

Support can be taken for asanas whenever needed. It depends on the need of the student. As the student progresses, unsupported asana may also become stable and comfortable. At that time, we can decrease the support. The quality and function of the asana is important, not the appearance.

⭐️ New Book: Krishnamacharya in His Own Words. See more at: bit.ly/krishnamacharya-in-his-own-words.
👉 In-depth Svastha Yoga Therapy training (300 & 800 hours) is now online. Learn more at: on.svastha.net/3IcJFAZ.