“ The soul that moves in the world of the senses and yet keeps the senses in harmony…finds rest in quietness.” Bhagavad Gita
I don’t know about your pet, but my dogs do Yoga on the regular. Updog and downdog are part of their daily maintenance toolbox. And like Fido anyone can practice Yoga. You don't need special equipment, fancy clothes or to be at any specific level of flexibility- just a small amount of space and a strong desire for a healthier, more fulfilled life. If you would like to know how to support yourself outside our sessions, this add on is for you. My goal is to help you gain knowledge in mobility and stress reduction through asanas (held postures combined with breath), pranayama (breath exercises) and meditation.
Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world, encompassing body, mind, and spirit. The ancient Yogis perceive the physical body as a vehicle, with the mind as the driver, and action, emotion and intelligence as the three forces which pull the body-vehicle. In order for there to be integrated development these three forces must be in balance. Taking into account the interrelationship between body and mind, they formulated a unique method for maintaining this balance - a method that combines all the movements you need for physical health with the breathing and meditation techniques that ensure peace of mind.
Today access to knowledge around Yoga has become much more prevalent. One important figure in its recent development was Swami Sivananda. This great Indian master trained and worked as a doctor before renouncing the world for the spiritual path. He published over 300 writings, bringing authority of his medical background to bear on the teachings of Yoga, while explaining the most complex philosophical subjects in simple, straightforward terms. He established an Ashram, Yoga Academy, and the Divine Life Society in 1935, dedicated to the ideas of truth, purity, non-violence and self-realization. At his Ashram in Rishikesh, he trained many exceptional disciples in Yoga and Vedanta - among them, Swam Vishnu Devananda, whom he sent to spread the practice of Yoga in the West. Swami Vishnu arrived in San Francisco in 1957 and travelled for several years throughout the United States, lecturing and demonstrating asanas, before establishing an international network of Sivananda Yoga Centres and Raja and Hatha Yoga in the world.
The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’ meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite.’ The underlying purpose of all the different aspects of Yoga is to reunite the individual self with the absolute or pure consciousness. Today Yoga has many paths, however the backbone of Yoga will always be breath. When the word breath is broken down it is simply a combination of birth and death and quite literally the first and last thing we do upon entering and leaving Earth and the most soothing to our nervous system when practiced consciously.
During a Restorative Yoga session – you will remain fully clothed. (so be sure to wear something comfortable and easy to stretch in) – you and I will further discuss your goals or restrictions in daily activities and create a simple yet supportive take home practice to build on. I also recommend bringing a notebook if you’d like to take any notes. If you already have an ongoing practice and want to discuss how to expand on it or are completely brand new to Yoga, rest assured this is suitable for all ages and levels. You are encouraged to view your body as your partner and our practice will involve constant check ins with your body, building a profoundly intimate and healing relationship with your self.
Yoga can help with:
Finding deeper meaning in life
postural balance
strengthen/purify the nervous system
vagal toning
easing pain and physical tension
improved metabolism
improved sleep
hypertension
anxiety/depression
Asana practice offers the opportunity to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Simply by recognizing tension, by breathing into it, it begins to lift off the body. Eventually the asana is a reflection of the inner state: clear, steady, still like unmoving water. Beneath the busy ripples and fluctuating waves of the mindbody there is an unconcerned and peaceful awareness.
There you are.
Click here to add Restorative Yoga to your session.
