7 Arm balancing yoga asanas using yoga blocks
A supportive approach to 7 arm balancing asanas using yoga blocks.Arm balancing asanas can be a little challenging at first, but when attempting them from a place of humbleness and not ego, it can become a more accessible journey. For sure strength is required to get into and find steadiness in arm balances, and this can come only through practice....
3 Important aspects to consider when practicing backbend asanas
Learn about the 3 important aspects to consider when practicing backbend asanas.Back-bending asanas can definitely look beautiful, but they require a lot of hard work. It’s important to take in consideration that every physical body has its own natural abilities & limitations. Some people are naturally more flexible than others. They might be able to almost effortlessly get into Chakrasana/Urdhva Dhanurasana. Other...
The 6 qualities for success in Yoga Part 2
Part 2 blog series of the 6 qualities for success in yoga as described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. In the last post I introduced the first three qualities for success in Yoga. To emphasise again on the word "success", it is not necessarily used to describe an achievement or outcome, but its meaning can symbolise one who becomes established in the Sadhana...
The 6 qualities for success in Yoga Part 1
The 6 qualities needed for success in yoga as presented in Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is one of the oldest and most in depth texts of Hatha Yoga. It was compiled and created by Swami Swatmarama in approximately the 15th century. Here, we can get an understanding of many yogic practices which lead to the self-realisation of the...
A gentle and restorative Yoga practice for the October full moon
Embrace the lunar powerful with this gentle and restorative yoga sequence for the October full moon.On the 9th of October, we have the Aries full moon. This energy is said to be all about healing, forgiveness and accepting the flow of all that is, but also connecting with our inner power and drive to live the life we want to...
How to bring the Yoga Philosophy on the mat in your asana practice
Asana practice is perhaps the most commonly known forms of yoga worldwide from the whole yoga philosophy. It is part of the Raja yoga path by Sage Patanjali, as the third limb amongst the eight. Although asana practice is a powerful tool we have available in our life, the way we practice it matters. Our intention when we step on the...
How the 4 paths of yoga teach us to embrace change in life
Yoga as a philosophy is much more complex and goes beyond our practice on the mat. The philosophy presents us with four paths (karma, bhakti, raja, jnana) which we can choose based on our character and temperament, to take us on a spiritual journey towards self-knowledge. Although these paths are different in their practices, they can also be combined, which...
What is Pratyahara and how can we practice it?
Learn about the meaning of what is Pratyahara in yoga philosophy and how can we practice it. In the Raja yoga path, Patanjali gives insight into 8 steps towards Moksha/liberation. The Ashtanga eightfold path otherwise known as the 8 limbs of Yoga, is a very clear set of practices towards enlightenment (referred to as Samadhi which is the 8th limb). The Ashtanga eightfold...
5 Important principles of Yoga Asana practice
The following are 5 important principles of yoga asana practice based on my experience, learning and teaching. Asana practice is a beautiful and life long journey. As a part of the yoga philosophy teachings, asanas are a great tool towards becoming stronger mentally and physically, adaptable and flexible, steady and focused, compassionate and humble. Sometimes our practice is dynamic and strong,...
10 Yoga asanas to practice daily
All asanas have incredible benefits for the body, mind & energy centres. Although asana practice has not originated for the purpose of specific benefits other than to take us to the higher spiritual practices through purification, we cannot deny the great effects of it on all aspects, physical, mental/emotional and spiritual.These 10 asanas provide an overall balanced practice focusing on...