What is Yoga
BY les | Tue 09 Aug, 2016
Hope you enjoy this months blog don't forget to look skyward from the 11-13th August to see the Perseids meteor shower.
If anyone is looking for some late Autumn Sun there are still a few place left for my Spainish mountain retreat for September 14-17th & October 12-15th.
What is Yoga?
There are about 100 different types of yoga. For those of you asking 'how is that?' think about athletics which encompasses many events: 100 metres, marathons, shot-put, long jump etc etc etc. Yoga is made up of eight ‘branches', the physical postures or 'Asana' is one branch then there are a myriad of styles like physical dynamic Ashtanga, contemplative Bakti (Devotional), rib tickling laughter yoga and meditative Kundalini yoga. As a result it can be confusing finding a style which best suit you.
The aim of yoga practises is to work towards an expanded conciousnes, a still point, a heart of compassion, joy and happiness. Asana, pranayama and mediation are all yoga tools to help you find a joyful existence. Have you ever finished a yoga practise and not felt good?
Smile… you know you’re worth it
For me, Ashtanga yoga is boot camp for the soul and to quote one of my greatest teachers, Dave Swenson, “bending and stretching is just callanetics - it is the breath and the ‘locks’ that makes the practise unique”. Make your yoga enjoyable and that way you will continue to practise. Again, another quote from David “If you can’t smile in a posture you are trying too hard”. Remember, next time you are on your yoga mat:- Inhale, Exhale, Smile, Breath & Enjoy
'What is important is what is invisible: the bandhas, the deep breathing, and the one pointed concentration. Yoga is a path to self-realisation & liberation … it is a moving meditation.’ David Williams, Ashtanga Yoga Teacher
Why meditate? You may like to see the following by the Dalai Lama
The Power of Words This is well worth seeing
Confucius (born around 551 B.C.) was a Chinese thinker and philosopher:
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life
If I am walking with two other men, each of them will serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and the bad points of the other and correct them in myself
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
Finally Top ‘Zenish’ Teachings
1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me for the path is narrow. In fact, just bugger off and leave me alone.
2. Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.
3. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
4. If you think nobody cares whether you're alive or dead, try missing a couple of mortgage payments.
5. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
6. Some days you are the dog, some days you are the tree.
7. Good judgment comes from bad experience ... and most of that comes from bad judgment.
8. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Your in Yoga,
Les
TAGS: yoga, spainish, retreat