Yogathon

The Yogathon in Vancouver in support of Camp Moomba was incredible this year. Lots of sun, and tons of people (1000+) doing yoga together. I think they raised around 80 grand for the camp for kids dealing with HIV/AIDS.

Chakra Flow: Root to Crown

The purpose of this 8 minute exercise is to get in touch with the energetic feel of each chakra in order to move the energy upwards from Muladhara to Sahasrara.

Muladhara: Solid stamping of the feet, stable pelvis, rootsy movements.

Svadhisthana: Movement of pelvis and hips, more fluid and sensual.

Manipura: Solid and stable core strengthening. I used Chair Pose (Utkatasana) with a tucked tailbone to not bring energy back towards Svadhisthana.

Anahata: Opening and closing of heart-center with arms moving.

Vissuddha: Neck movements.

Ajna and Sahasrara: Lotus Mudra blooming from chair pose to standing, gradually arms reaching straight up. Ending in Tadasana with arms raised.

Yoga on River Rocks

Doing yoga in nature gives the opportunity to have your yoga move with the surroundings. This requires going with the flow, making it up a little, adapting and becoming attuned with the environment. It feels more like free-form dance and playing that incorporates the principles of yoga's asanas and pranayam. While in tree I was chanting the bija mantras for the chakras while feeling the freezing aliveness of the mountain stream around my standing foot.

"Just making it up, having some fun. Whatever works for you, go have some fun! Peace!"

Balancing Sequence on Driftwood

Here's a little balancing sequence I began to play with. Natarajasana to Hasta Padangusthasana to Vrksasana. That is Dancer's to Big Toe Standing series to Tree. Just a taste of some having some fun with your yoga on driftwood in the sun!

Take Your Yoga Outside

I've been exploring using my yoga outside. Here its a little free-form and chatty. Walking down the log, shedding my backpack and sandals, opening and stretching into the beauty of nature. I'm up Lynn Headwaters, in North Vancouver, BC.

The idea I'm trying to get across is that we need to move freely to feel free. Your yoga can become a spontaneous and authentic movement that arises from listening deeply to your body. Break out of the roles that constrict your body movement, trust that your body can move you the way you need to move, connect to nature regularly. Have fun living your yoga!

Fifth Chakra: Vishuddha

Contents:

Chakra Description

Balance:
"When Vishuddha is balanced, you discover your authentic voice and can be yourself in all situations. Your communication is clear and untainted, and you come to others with compassion and kindness. You have the space to see yourself clearly and can let the divine wisdom of the universe guide each moment of your life." (Finger, 2005, p.87)

Questions to Ask Yourself (Finger, 2005):

• Do others see me as aggressive and overbearing?
  
• Do I dominate conversations?
• Do I find it hard to speak up for myself?
• Do I live in a way that's true to my core beliefs and values?
• Do I lack inspiration?
• Do I feel connected to my spirituality?
  

Location:
Vishuddha Chakra is located at the throat and encompasses the neck, shoulder girdle, and arms. The muscles act on Vishuddha are the erector spinae muscles of the neck and upper back, trapezius, rhomboids, muscles of the rotator cuff, chest (pectoralis major), and latissimus dorsi.

The Yoga of Self-Transformation

Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga

Yoga provides a complete system for Radical Self-Transformation. By "radical" we aim not merely for self-improvement but an evolution and expansion of the consciousness beyond the limitations narrow egoic self-definition. Within the Eight Limbs of Yoga outlined by Patanjali 1500 years ago, three essential elements provide the foundation of our transformation: Tapas, Svadhyaya, and Ishvara Pranidhana.

Discipline (Tapas)

Discipline and Dedication to our Practice of Self-Transformation. Regularity of practice provides the heat - the tapas - to bring about change. Ancient yogis viewed the body as an unbaked clay pot and yoga as the kiln that gives the body-mind-spirit the strength and resilience to live fully and evolve.

The physical practice of yoga can aid the building of discipline - i.e. the postures or asanas. Other physical practices that enliven or energize the body work as well such as walking/hiking, running, etc. Tapas can refer to the dedication to non-physical practices too such as art, journalling, meditation, etc. Whatever our chosen practices are, regularity of practice is the key to bringing about transformation.

Self Study (Svadhyaya)

This refers to the cultivation of awareness. By becoming more able to sense what is happening in our body and mind, we begin to see our habitual and unconscious patterns (samskaras) which may no longer serve us best. As we become more aware of our body, emotions, and thoughts we can see how we need to change and create more beneficial patterns ("positive" samskaras).

The various physical and non-physical practices of yoga provide tried and tested techniques to become more aware of ourselves. To become more present to the totality of our existence and potential. Other practices such as journalling, art, dance and music may also assist us in becoming more aware and alive.

Natural Action - Ishvara Pranidhana

In sanscrit, this literally this means "Devotion to God" which can be interpreted as "Letting Go of the Illusion of Control" or "Offering the Fruits of Our Actions to Something Beyond Ourselves." In Taoist terms this is similar to the concept of Wu Wei which means "effortless or natural action" - just as a tree grows or a stream flows without effort, what needs to be done arises naturally in each moment.

In practice this means that we set an intention or plan of action that is not tied to outcomes that we can influence but ultimately not control. This is also a more concrete way of approaching change. Instead of saying "I will be more happy" or "I will lose 50 pounds," we may say "I will smile at people and find at least one positive thing about challenging situations" or "I will walk everyday for half and hour, and eat slightly less."