According to yoga texts it is contraindicated to perspire excessively. They go as far as saying to stay out of the sun and avoid being near fire when practicing. The understanding is that it leads to a loss of energy and vitality known as Ojas. If sweating does occur, they do not recommend showering after …
Drivers are taught to yield to oncoming traffic and to be prepared to stop if necessary. To merge is to permit what is already flowing to have precedence over our wish to continue as desired. Both require adaptability and skill. If we impose our beliefs and desires and not see clearly what is actually going …
Many years ago when I had a yoga studio in Vancouver, BC, a 60 year old woman who was shaky balancing on her two feet came up after class and asked when we are going to start doing headstands. Not liking the response, she was kindly referred to the gym across the street. There’s a …
In Sanskrit, when the letter A is placed in front of a word, it negates it. Meaning, not that. As taught and sold today; yoga is for everyone and anyone at any age can do it. Not exactly. yoga is relaxing, stress-free, it will calm you down. Not exactly. yoga is blissful, peaceful, a love-fest. …
One would think yoga is all about handstands and deep back bending nowadays. However you would be hard pressed to find a yoga text that includes either. Forward bends and seated positions take precedence. This is due to the fact that yoga is meant to take you inwards. Backbends take you outwards, away from centre, …
As a teacher, we must never lose the capacity to be a student. Before teaching we were students, yoga practitioners, and we should always remain just that, practitioners. Sharing our experience with others is a byproduct of an accumulation of practical knowledge. If that knowledge never evolves, we just pass on a stale script. Far …
