Brahmacharya and Svadhisthana, the Sacral Chakra
For July’s study theme, we turn to Svadhisthana, the sacral chakra — the seat of our creative energy. How does this theme show up on the mat? How does it…
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The Transverse Abdominis (TVA), Samana Vayu, and Vyana Vayu are 3 Critical, Related Elements to Understand in Yoga
Operating out of the Deep Core Every month, our Yoga Discussion WhatsApp chat chooses a theme. For June’s guiding concept, Saturday morning regular at Left Coast Power Yoga, Molly, suggested…
Wabi Sabi: The Value of Imperfection in the Art of Perfecting Ourselves
Imperfection is unavoidable a…
Sankalpa – The Joyful Art of Manifestation
The New Year is a time when we dream about changes we want for ourselves. New Years resolutions are framed in terms of what we want to do in the…
Vairocana & the Spine in Yoga Practice – Buddha Posture
I’m in Japan this month! Maybe because I’ve been sitting so much traveling by plane/train/automobile, I’ve been contemplating spinal posture a lot! Patanjali’s Sutras and Buddhism on Seated Posture Patanjali’s…
Inversions in Yoga – Giving Ourselves an Amazing New Perspective
Because of the way images are refracted by lenses in our eyes, the world is literally turned upside down when projected onto the image sensors in the back of eyeballs.…
Exploring the Spaces Between in Yoga
Eknath Easwaran recommended learning to slow down the pace of thoughts enough that we could see there was space between them. This ability to perceive the moments of non-thought between…
Pratyahara & Boundary Awareness
Pratyahara translates to “withdrawal” in Sanskrit. In Yoga, it is the 5th limb of the Ashtanga (8 limbs) practice. It is the redirection of senses (which we normally use for…
Role of Pada Bandha to Root to Rise in Yoga
What does it mean to “root to rise” to you? I was talking to a friend today and the first thing she associated with the phrase is that ubiquitous cue…
Yoga Pose of the Month: Bird of Paradise
Bird of Paradise, or Svarga Dvidasana (Sanskrit for paradise, twice-born pose), is a yoga pose that is so rich in yoga concepts that I’ve dedicated the entire month of February…