The Eight Limb path is an infinite journey that is deeply personal, perhaps even individualistic. The majority of the spiritual, physical, and emotional work is done not just in a person’s mental landscape, but through their own internally sourced discipline and motivation… Its very design prepares and primes the practitioner to experience, actively and without judgment, the multifacetedness of our human reality.
Read MoreIf there is any part of the yoga practice that seems truly daunting, and perhaps inconceivable, it would be the eighth limb of samadhi. This overwhelmingly powerful and elusive experience requires such a shift in a yogi’s state of consciousness, of their fundamental perception of the world and their relationship to it, that the yogi that embarks on the eight limb path could not possibly be the same yogi that experiences all eight limbs.
Read MoreThe Autumnal Equinox has always been a time of harvest– to take stock of all that has been grown and accomplished in the seasons passed. It is nature’s way of encouraging us to reflect upon ourselves and our immediate reality.
Read MoreDhyana is often used interchangeably with meditation, but this removes the nuanced distinction between the two. Meditation is a type of focusing, it is an action and strategy. Dhyana, on the other hand, is a state of being, a real time experience that is reflected upon after the yogi resurfaces. A word often used to describe this experience is ‘absorption.’ The yogi’s concentration becomes so channeled, the act of their meditation becomes so consuming, that their Self and their action merge together to become one.
Read MoreWhen approaching the sixth limb of yoga, it may be helpful to look back at the previous limbs to better understand the path ahead. All of the limbs build upon each other guiding the practitioner through the three levels of self: the body, the mind, and the divine. The sixth limb, dharana, is the first step wholly focused on developing the mind. The limb before dharana, pratyahara, can be viewed as the bridge between the bodily focuses and the mental.
Read MoreIn this solstice season, what better aspect of the practice to focus on than sun salutations. Known as Surya Namaskar, this famous sequence form is a dynamic and challenging practice that is worth implementing in any yoga practice or daily physical ritual. It’s unique connection to Vedic tradition and modern day exercise styles makes it a rich blend of the old and the new.
Read MorePratyahara is vigorously dynamic. It requires an active awareness and the ability to control the mind, the senses, and the interactions between them and the outside environment.
Read MorePurposeful breathing techniques, in their myriad forms, create the bridge between the mind and body uniting the various levels of self. This unity of mind, body, and spirit is a fundamental tenet of yoga and the rawest form of the practice. Pranayama is the building block from which the rest of the practice builds from.
Read MoreAsana. The physical manifestation of yoga practice. To many people, yoga and asana are equated or interchangeable in their minds, but avid practitioners know that this is far from the truth. Yoga is a philosophy, a path to synchronize the mind, body, and spirit. Asanas are intended to bring balance and unity to the different levels of self, so that the practitioner can reside in deep meditation for great lengths of time. Reaching further and further into meditation is where the practitioner truly embarks on a journey of self-discovery and connecting with the divine.
Read MoreOne yogic method to bring stillness to inner chaos is through the five Niyamas. The five “restraints” of thought and behavior are guidelines to detach us from the roller coaster of satisfying our insecurities and egos. These tenets become tools to silence the anxious chatter of the ego, remove us from a reactionary state, and combat our obsession with our standing in the physical world.
Read MoreThe New Year always starts with a flood of new intentions and shiny goals that are notorious for petering out as time goes on. Rather than hopping on the same old cycle, we’re approaching this new year through the lens of the eight limbs of yoga and studying how the philosophies described in them can carry us down our life’s path rather than judging ourselves through a constant cycle of beginnings and ends, goals, and accomplishments.
Read MoreA good place to start could be taking the time to identify one or two things that you can set down and take off of your plate. Noticing what is too heavy for us to carry physically, emotionally, or spiritually and just letting it go.
Read MoreOur wonderful community member, Emily, shares her experience with challenging asanas, and how the journey to accepting and taking on that challenge keeps the inner yogi humble.
Read MoreJoin us for Amber’s take on grounding on our upcoming Wisdom Wednesday, Oct. 19th!
Read MorePrana can be defined as a universal energy or animating spirit that exists within us and all around us. Becoming aware of our prana and learning to cultivate and direct it can be useful not only in our yoga practice but in our everyday lives. How can we tap into and consciously direct prana within ourselves and the environment around us? Read on to learn more about prana and gain practical tips.
Read MoreAlignment in life can be found when our core values and purpose harmonize with our thoughts, actions, and direction. Living from an aligned place is a journey that will lead us through continuous self-discovery. When we know ourselves well enough to honor our inner wisdom while moving through the world as our true selves living our dharma (purpose), we know we’re in alignment.
Read MorePurpose, or dharma, can look like a variety of different things. Everyone has a different journey to discovering and living their dharma, so allow your journey to be yours alone.
Read MoreWritten by Chloe Bae
Chloe is a mom, a world traveler, and a source of inspiration for all who have the privilege of knowing and working with her. New to yoga, Chloe shares her “old-soul” perspective on inspiration with her contribution to this month’s FCYP blog.
Read MoreFrom September 2020
written by Jessica Ruff
Jessica is a student of yoga first, a teacher of yoga second. A former MBA corporate marketer with a passionate for writing, she loves to connect with people through words, whether that’s in class or through the written word. Jessica is also a long-distance runner, avid traveler, vegan baker, and mama to two adorable corgis.
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