It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. E.E.Cummings Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. Anais Nin Most of us think Courage is synonymous with bravery. In fact, dictionaries often use bravery as the very definition of courage. Historically however, courage derives from the Latin word Cor which means heart. It was the… View Post
This breathing is a voluntary doorway to the involuntary body, a conscious doorway to the subconscious mind. ~A.G. Mohan Nadi Shodhana, commonly referred to as alternate nostril breathing, is a simple but highly effective practice that cultivates a feeling of centered calm in the mind and body. It is clinically shown to have a beneficial effect on several cardiovascular parameters,… View Post
Like the lotus, live joyfully among the sorrows of the world. Parmahansa Yogananda Last week as I sat down to write about Santosha, I was side-tracked by the dramatic news story of the furling (taking down) of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina State House. The furling of this symbol of racism was a result of years of hard work… View Post
For most of us, when we think of contentment, we picture something like a beach, a cozy cabin, a warm fire, being surrounded by loved ones, or completely alone, but the idea is the same. We have our feet up, no worries, everything is peaceful and perfect. It is then we finally find contentment. Is this even realistic? Is that even… View Post
Satya is a Sanskrit word meaning truth or reality. Patanjali refers to it in verse 2.28 of the Yoga Sutras as the second of the five Yamas – a list of guidelines for “right living”. This can seem like such a simple concept – tell the truth, don’t lie. But is it really that simple? Yes… and no. In his… View Post
Last month, I discussed the difference between authenticity and truth. Authenticity is “the truth of bearing who you are”, I said. It’s the work of diving deep, peeling off layers to reveal your authentic self, your dharma. Truth is the scalpel that dissects and cuts away kleshas and samskaras to reveal our diamond self. But Truth is even bigger than… View Post
The Story of Bharadvaja (bah-ROD-va-JAH) The yoga pose bharadvajasana is a seated twist named after the sage Bharadvaja. Bharadvaja was a devout scholar who studied the Vedas (ancient Hindu philosophical and spiritual texts). He spent his entire lifetime learning and pondering the Vedas. Then he died. Bharadvaja was reborn and he continued his reading, memorizing and writing of the Vedas. His… View Post
Quotes on Authenticity Why, when we know that there’s no such thing as perfect, do most of us spend an incredible amount of time and energy trying to be everything to everyone? Is it that we really admire perfection? No – the truth is that we are actually drawn to people who are real and down-to-earth. We love authenticity and… View Post
As a veteran yoga teacher, (I’m in my 21st year teaching professionally) as well as a teacher trainer, and mentor to new teachers, I am fascinated with the journey we are on —and with what it is that makes some of us thrive while others struggle. But in line with my title, perhaps it is helpful to start with looking at… View Post
Krishna advising Arjuna It is better to strive in one’s own dharma than to succeed in the dharma of another. Nothing is ever lost in following one’s own dharma. But competition in another’s dharma breeds fear and insecurity. Krishna advising Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita. Inside each and every one of us is one true authentic swing… Somethin’ we was… View Post
I would like to invite you on a journey. A journey that explores your own authenticity. A journey that explores the potential for alchemy in your life. Our theme here at Share Yoga for the month of May is Authenticity, which correlates perfectly with our new Share Yoga book club book, “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. Coelho once said, “Alchemy is all… View Post
Master teacher Debbi Murphy shares insights on finding balance. “Our own elegant physiology also reflects the importance of balance. Every move we make, every breath we take is a biological drive towards homeostasis, equanimity.”
Yogis share the best advice they ever received as a yogi. Join Darla Brown of ShareYoga.com and her friends, and share your best yoga advice with our community of yoga writers.
Overall wellness hinges on a dynamic balance of web-like interconnections, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. The human body is a fully interconnected organism, nothing working in isolation, and all parts affect each other. Chronic health problems are rooted in inadequate nutrition and detoxification inefficiency is due to lack of high vital nutrients. 1. Eat whole foods. If it… View Post
Our Day in the Life of a Yoga Teacher series continues with a teacher I am completely in awe of. I am in awe of her strength, her vitality and constant commitment to being a human BEing rather than a human doing. In spite of her battle with Common Variable Immune Deficiency, she has been a lifelong practitioner of yoga,… View Post