Dhana- Vancouver Iyengar Yoga and healthy living blog

A beautiful reminder

dhana — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:47:48 +0000

I didn’t write this poem, Tara Mohr did. It’s inspirational and wise. Especially pertinent for today, as I’ve just arrived home after my 6am barre class at North Shore Barre Fitness–a room of women, up early to sculpt and strengthen–the following is a reminder to listen.

The One Deep Inside Your Chest

Step back and watch your body, being a body.
Watch an arm move through space, watch an ankle turn.

Watch your body, as it likes things or doesn’t,
as it gets scrapes and bruises
as the skin darkens and falls into folds.

Step back to the perimeter of the theater
and watch your body on the stage.

Recede to that quiet knowing:
For now, I am associated with this body –
not inside it, or one with it –
just associated, for a time.

Casing. Only casing.
Be kind to the casing if you like – put oils
on it and nourish it and move it to keep it stronger, for a time.
Never become it. There, only suffering.

Can you feel the one deep inside your chest,
who has existed forever?
Who has made a thousand journeys?
Who feels like a comet in the dark?
The inner filament?

I know, no one ever told you.
I know. It wasn’t the name you learned to write at school,
but that one is you.
That one is the real you.

Tara Sophia Mohr is an expert on women’s leadership and well-being. A coach, writer and teacher, she is the founder of the global Playing Big leadership program for women and author of the free 10 Rules for Brilliant Women Workbook.

Savary Island Reiki and Yoga retreat 2013

dhana — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 01:22:40 +0000

The 2013 Savary Island Reiki and Yoga retreat is now open for registration. Please join Mari Okazaki and myself for an unforgetttable and inspirational retreat. Mari will guide you through the first level of Jikiden Reiki certification, and I will guide your body through daily Iyengar yoga practice. The retreat will be held at Hemingway Cottage, where our beloved Marilyn will nurture out bodies and souls with her divine cuisine. This is a small group environment, a very intimate setting that will bring peace, insight and balance into your life. Please contact Mari or myself regarding registration. Details in the poster below.

By Thy Grace

dhana — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:30:00 +0000

By Thy Grace by Snatam Kaur on Grooveshark

This is what I play every morning upon waking. Before the news, before the dishes, before the exercise. It’s wonderful.

The Most Beautiful Place on Earth

dhana — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:25:21 +0000

I am very proud and excited for my mentor/friend Ayelet Tsabari. Her book will be launched by Harper Collins this March and it is already listed as one of the most important books of 2013!

Food Myths

dhana — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:10:22 +0000

I am currently focusing on digging into the real truths about food and nutrition-delving into some myths that may or may not be true, practicing meticulous label reading. This morning when I went to buy some cinnamon, the package I picked up contained hydrogenated cotton and soy oils! What?

The Breath of Life

dhana — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 06:41:50 +0000

breath of life

*“If breathing stops so does life. Therefore, regulate the breath.”

A massage therapist recently referred a client to me who was having breathing issues. This is not an uncommon complaint. The degrees of it vary, but to breathe fully and deeply sometimes needs to be re-learned. Since breath is the most important thing in our lives, we should pay close attention to it.

Breathing deeply promotes relaxation, brings about a sense of well being, and rejuvenates the nervous system. It is said that during the course of one day, a person breathes about 2000 times, and that we take in about 500 cubic cm of air. With deep inhalation that amount increases six times to almost 3000 cubic centimetres.

In Sanskrit, breath is referred to as Prana. Prana is breath, but it’s also energy, vibration and life. Ayama refers to the storing and distribution of that energy, hence the term Pranayama, which, if you’ve studied yoga you may be familiar with this term.

Take a moment and inhale, long and deep.

For some people this is a welcome sensation and brings about an instant sense of calm. People often begin a fitness regime or take yoga classes to improve fitness levels, but what we are really aiming to do, is make our bodies strong enough that we may become a stable vessel for breath , to flow through unimpeded.

Inhalation activates the central nervous system and connects us to the physical body. The first thing a healthy baby does when it’s born is take a breath. Even before it cries, it needs to inhale.

Now try the exhalation. After a soft inhalation, let the exhalation naturally find its end. Don’t hurry it. Watch how deeply your exhale wants to be.

Now try the same thing with the exhalation. Let the lungs completely empty.

Exhalation teaches us about detachment from the physical body. It teaches us to let go, and to trust. This may be why so many people have no problem taking a long inhalation, but rush the exhalation, clinging to the next inhalation as if it were a life raft on a sinking vessel. Indeed, it is common for students who are beginning the study of pranayama to admit feeling a sensation similar to drowning when they attempt to lengthen their exhalations. The remedy for this is sustained practice and the discomfort is quickly replaced by a deep calm and relaxed state that can only be attained by quiet observation of the breath.

Take time every day to pay attention to your breath. It will do wonders for your nervous system and stress levels.

Since Pranayama affects the nervous system directly, it is not advised to study Pranayama alone. Seek out the expertise of a qualified teacher, book, or video if you are interested in taking up the wonderful and transformational healing tool.

“As long as there is breath in the body, there is life. When breath departs, so too does life.” Yoga Master, BKS Iyengar.

Onward…

*( Hatha Yoga Pradikipa -ch.2:S.3)

Daily Intentions

dhana — Wed, 30 May 2012 16:42:01 +0000

intention

A gentle approach to goal setting.

For many people, life is hectic and mornings seem harried no matter how early we get up. Setting an intention is a one of the tools in your Vibrant Life toolbox. In Sanskrit it’s called a Sankalpa. It is one of the most effective ways to align yourself with the direction you want your life to take.

If you practice yoga, your teacher may have suggested you to set an intention at the beginning of a class, as it helps gear the practice for your specific goals. But you certainly don’t need to take yoga to benefit from intention setting.

As you wake up, in the moments while still relishing your warm bed, set a positive intention. It’s at this time, before the influences of the world around us have rushed at us, that we are most receptive to our inner voice. It can be something very simple, and you certainly don’t need a different one each day. Think of it as your intention supplement. Repeating your intention throughout the day, with sincerity, begins to send positive signals from your brain to the rest of your body.

How to set an intention:

1) Your intention needs to be phrased in the positive.

Stay away from negatives. “No,” “ need,” “ not,” “ won’t,” “shouldn’t,” “ stop,” should be replaced with “yes,” “will,” “allow,” “align,” “start.”

Ex. “I need to eat less,” could become, “I will nourish my body with wholesome, energizing foods.”

Repetition of this phrase will trigger your body’s innate awareness and allow you to make healthier food choices, naturally.

2) Keep it short and succinct.

Ex. I need to be less stressed out and take more time for myself and my family” could be replaced with

“I enjoy my life.”

Keep your intentions in the present tense, as if it’s already happening.

3) Write your intention out at least five times. The more you write it out, the better. Repeat it as often as possible.

Ex. Sticky notes on the fridge, in your car, even on the bathroom mirror work as great reminders.

Once you have chosen and intention that resonates with you, stick with it until it manifests. You can keep the same intention for as long as you like.

Look for little windows of opportunity during the day; while brushing your teeth, waiting at red lights, or standing in line at the bank, that may serve as “intention snacks.” The same way your body requires food for sustained energy throughout the day, your mind and emotions will benefit from these little intention pick-me-ups.

A few examples:

-I am at peace with myself and the world

- I intend to stay fully aware of my breath.

-I promise to be gentle with myself today.

- I intend to be fully present in each moment today.

-I am healed and healthy

-I am taking the steps to build a successful career.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. When you forget, or stray from the essence of your intention, don’t berate yourself. Instead, gently remind yourself of your intention and reset.

Onward…

The Independents-Group Book Launch

dhana — Tue, 22 May 2012 06:15:07 +0000

Please join my fellow ” Independents” on Saturday June 2nd for our group book launch hosted by poet Jen Currin. I will read from my “Little Earthquakes” manuscript.

Eden for Mothers Day

dhana — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:04:25 +0000

Glynnis Osher, owner of the Mystic Masala, is offering an Eden package this Friday. If you stop by her storefront in Vancouver on Friday, you can pick up an ayurvedic care kit guaranteed to put a smile on any mother, plus receive a bonus gift for yourself. The Mystic Masala candles, soaps and oils are the only ones I use in my home-they are truly sensational.Treat your mom, treat yourself.

A vibrant life

dhana — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 06:24:58 +0000

Maui yoga path

“How are you doing today?” asked Deni Roman, of the woman signing in before me at this morning’s level 1/2 Iyengar class at the beachside Maui Yoga Path.

“Tired, “responded the woman.

“Well, one day when your life is more balanced you’ll answer vibrant,” offered Deni, her smile accentuated by her bright mauve lipstick, pacific sunshine sparkling on her golden nose piercing.

I don’t think I’ve ever answered vibrant to that question, whether it was true or not. Why would I deserve to be vibrant when there is so much suffering? Yet isn’t it true that vibrancy is contagious? Could my vibrancy spark it in others?

This morning’s class was proof. Deni’s lively and playful approach to teaching asana and philosophy ignited a great energy charge in me. Her classic Iyengar approach was coupled with her own wisdom and that borrowed from the Iyengars.

“You’re only as old as your spine is young.” “Life is a series of events that are going to happen no matter what-why not hold your center, stay peaceful and observe it.” (My paraphrase)

The only thing I worried about in the 75 minute class was how much sand I was getting on the mat, and whether I should shake it out during or after class. I decided that since Deni’s studio is on the beach, I probably wasn’t the only student who’s ever gotten sand on her floor. After an exquisite class, which was centered on the pelvis, I stepped outside to give my mat a shake. There right in front of me were two whales breaching. I watched as their tails lift out of the water, water spouted from their blowholes and I gave thanks to all the moments and all the people that weave together to create my truly vibrant life.