July | 2014 | The Yoga Bridge

The Yoga Bridge, Week 39, July 25, 2014.

26 Jul 2014 1 Comment

The Yoga Bridge, Week 38, July 18, 2014 The Gift Of An Opened Mind

24 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

This week in yoga, a woman talked about her husband before class. She said, ” Each morning, he wakes up. Drinks coffee. Watches the news, blaring, When a customers doesn’t act appropriate, he has thoughts of violence.” I imagine that he’s near sixty years of age. I thought to myself if only that guy would give yoga a try for a good six months, what a transformation could occur. Slim chance of that happening. Telling a closed minded person about yoga is like telling an alcoholic, with no intention of quitting, that alcohol is poisonous and you should try giving it up. As I was starting to pass judgement, I then stopped myself. I reflected. I wasn’t much different. Twenty years ago.

That very morning, before class, I woke up at sun rise. Sat in swastkasana, facing East, and recited the Gayatri Mantra while gazing at the rising sun. Looking at the sun was like looking into the pupil of a giant eye. Afterwards, I did a few yoga poses. I ate a vegetarian breakfast. I took a warm shower then drove to yoga class.

The Yoga Bridge, Week 37, July 12, 2014 Self Appointed Yank Yoga Advocate

12 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

by Jason in YOGA Tags: beginner Iyengar, eight limbs, Iyengar Yoga

Unfortunately, nobody has asked me, ” What is Iyengar yoga about?” My explanation to the imaginary person would be something like this. ” For me, it’s a lifestyle.” I would try to explain yoga in very plain English in practical terms. I would translate the Sanskrit words to the simplest English words to show the practicality. A general overview, there are eight steps or limbs; as follows:

1) ethical behavior

2) mental development

3) postures

4) breathing (energy) management

5) discipline of our senses

6) concentration

7) meditation

8) living in the present without thought.

” Give Iyengar yoga a chance, try it for six months and have the resolve to not quit. For right now, step one, ethical behavior, start cleaning your mind. Think about living this way:

1) living a non violent life

2) truthfulness to the self and others

3) non stealing

4) having little possessions

5) sexual control.

Also, I encourage vegetarianism. I’m not a vegetarian but a work in progress. I believe meat to be unethical and unhealthy. I have a lot of love for animals, friendship, it’s not right to harm them nor eat them.”.