For those days you can't make it to the studio every day, here are a few resources to keep you going at home. I use yogaglo all the time at home. There have stellar teachers and you can choose a class, specific to what level and time frame you'd like to practice. Really good stuff on there. The catch, yogaglo.com is $18/month.
The other links to the YJ classes are not as interactive, but is free... play on!
Yogaglo - Online Classes
Play Leads the Way - Yoga Journal - Yoga Home Practice with Sianna Sherman
A Fine Balance - Yoga journal - Yoga Home Practice with Desiree Rumbaugh
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Yoga Inc.
I pulled this video from yogadork.com. It's very interesting, given the last post about defining yoga... plus, there is some great info on the history of yoga. I hesitated to post this at first, because some of it is presented from a bias point of view. However, I think there is so much valuable content within this piece. Take in the history and the information presented. To watch, click the link below. Its about 1 hour long.
Yoga, Inc. Video
Description (from yogadork.com):
Yoga has transformed from an ancient spiritual practice into a competitive, commercialized, multi-million dollar industry. And for a practice rooted in renunciation, yoga sure is making some people very rich. Can yoga survive this war between the sacred and the profane with its good karma intact?
In today’s yoga world only the marketplace has real meaning, where everything is up for grabs, from yoga shoes to chakra panties. The new mantras are Standardize and Supersize. In the race to cash in yoga chains are popping up everywhere, putting the smaller studios out of business. No wonder purists are scratching their heads. Is nothing sacred? Greed, lust, ego and the search for enlightenment all come together in this original, irreverent portrait of spiritualism and capitalism colliding head on.
Yoga, Inc. Video
Description (from yogadork.com):
Yoga has transformed from an ancient spiritual practice into a competitive, commercialized, multi-million dollar industry. And for a practice rooted in renunciation, yoga sure is making some people very rich. Can yoga survive this war between the sacred and the profane with its good karma intact?
In today’s yoga world only the marketplace has real meaning, where everything is up for grabs, from yoga shoes to chakra panties. The new mantras are Standardize and Supersize. In the race to cash in yoga chains are popping up everywhere, putting the smaller studios out of business. No wonder purists are scratching their heads. Is nothing sacred? Greed, lust, ego and the search for enlightenment all come together in this original, irreverent portrait of spiritualism and capitalism colliding head on.
Monday, January 4, 2010
the grey area
Ah... the age old question that so many ponder and discuss.
In this day and age, we are answer-seekers. Often times, we want concrete proof to believe something is true. In yoga, there are no black and white answers. In yoga, you define your own truth. Yoga doesn't give us all the answers, but it does continue to ask lots of questions.
In the state of MO, we've been asked to define yoga. Is it fitness or a spiritual practice? The state wants to put yoga in a specific category, so they know how to tax the sales of classes. The hard thing about putting yoga into a category is that it fits into every category. My teacher always says, "You can make anything spiritual, if you have the right intention behind it. Everything you do in life can be a spiritual practice, if you want it to be."
Like many things in life, it's hard to understand yoga without experience under your belt. Think back to the first time you did yoga on the mat. It's common for first timers to walk away feeling clam, yet energized. It's that yoga euphoria people talk about. Yoga helps us get to know ourselves. To get inside our own head and our own body. It builds awareness.
In my experience, yoga encourages me to figure out how to be the best version of myself. Its tapping into the divine nature that lives not only within me, but within all things. Yoga is everything to me and everything is yoga. To some, that answer seems far fetched, and maybe even hard to believe. However, its not my job to convince others to have my experience. It's my job to simply invite others onto the mat to have their own experience.
So, the grey area is where we start finding the answers. Not the black or the white.
What is yoga, to you?
happy bending,
Brigette
In this day and age, we are answer-seekers. Often times, we want concrete proof to believe something is true. In yoga, there are no black and white answers. In yoga, you define your own truth. Yoga doesn't give us all the answers, but it does continue to ask lots of questions.
In the state of MO, we've been asked to define yoga. Is it fitness or a spiritual practice? The state wants to put yoga in a specific category, so they know how to tax the sales of classes. The hard thing about putting yoga into a category is that it fits into every category. My teacher always says, "You can make anything spiritual, if you have the right intention behind it. Everything you do in life can be a spiritual practice, if you want it to be."
Like many things in life, it's hard to understand yoga without experience under your belt. Think back to the first time you did yoga on the mat. It's common for first timers to walk away feeling clam, yet energized. It's that yoga euphoria people talk about. Yoga helps us get to know ourselves. To get inside our own head and our own body. It builds awareness.
In my experience, yoga encourages me to figure out how to be the best version of myself. Its tapping into the divine nature that lives not only within me, but within all things. Yoga is everything to me and everything is yoga. To some, that answer seems far fetched, and maybe even hard to believe. However, its not my job to convince others to have my experience. It's my job to simply invite others onto the mat to have their own experience.
So, the grey area is where we start finding the answers. Not the black or the white.
What is yoga, to you?
happy bending,
Brigette
Saturday, January 2, 2010
expectation vs. intention
Its natural to set expectations at the start of any journey... during the bender, try setting intentions, rather than expectations. When you set an intention, it puts meaning behind the practice. Setting intentions raises your overall awareness level.
Expectations can get tricky. When your expectations are high, your experience is constantly measured up to what you have set in your mind. When you release all expectations for the bender, you open the door to unknown possibilities. Think about it... if you are expecting a huge bonus at work and the bonus you actually get is about half what you expected, the bonus is less appreciated. However, if you were rewarded for your hard work with an unexpected bonus of the same amount, you would be thrilled.
Setting an intention keeps you on track, it helps keep your focus strong. Your intentions can change as time progresses and your experiences grow. Make your intentions right for you. Let go of expectation and see what comes your way. You might surprise yourself with an experience that is (at this point) unimaginable.
What's your intention?
Expectations can get tricky. When your expectations are high, your experience is constantly measured up to what you have set in your mind. When you release all expectations for the bender, you open the door to unknown possibilities. Think about it... if you are expecting a huge bonus at work and the bonus you actually get is about half what you expected, the bonus is less appreciated. However, if you were rewarded for your hard work with an unexpected bonus of the same amount, you would be thrilled.
Setting an intention keeps you on track, it helps keep your focus strong. Your intentions can change as time progresses and your experiences grow. Make your intentions right for you. Let go of expectation and see what comes your way. You might surprise yourself with an experience that is (at this point) unimaginable.
What's your intention?
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
Let the fun begin!
Today, you embark on a new journey. Today, you have the opportunity to open to new possibilities. Today, you dive in.
Last year, the bender was a huge success. Students started the bender as individuals and finished the bender as a yoga community. People shared stories of great physical, mental and emotional growth as a result of a daily yoga practice. This practice is powerful. Doing yoga every day will change your body, mind and spirit. Whether you signed up for the bender with intentions of getting fit or you are looking for a stronger peace of mind, all benefits of yoga are available to everyone open to the possibilities.
Individual participation will vary from student to student. Last year, some students chose to change certain daily habits in addition to the bender and saw amazing benefits and changes. Others noticed simply doing yoga every day increased their awareness so much that other habits changed by default.
For those not able to attend class at the studio every day, I will post asana sequences for your to play with at home. In addition to asana, healthy lifestyle tips and fun yoga facts will show up from time to time.
My advise to you... enjoy this. Keep record of how you feel every day. Keep your eyes wide open so you can recognize and appreciate the transformation that will happen over the next 30 days. I am excited for each and every one of you. Looking forward to bending with you.
Happy Bending!
Brigette
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
get ready...
The 2010 bender is coming soon! Just like last year, the bender starts Jan 1 and runs until Jan 30. Get ready for some fun!
Monday, February 2, 2009
congratulations, bendees!
Well, the bender has come to an end... however, for many of you the journey has just begun!
I can't even begin to express my gratitude and the overwhelming sense of joy this bender has brought to the studio and to my life, personally. What a great way to kick off 09'?! The level of dedication, excitement and energy put forth by our bendees has greatly surpassed anything I had ever imagined. I figured we may have close to 20 people sign up, if we were lucky and turns out over 60 signed up! Think about that... over 60 people in St. Louis committed to doing a daily yoga practice for 30 days straight! The people make the community and the community makes our studio what it is today. I am happy to stand behind what we have built at STY. I have full faith that it will continue to grow like crazy. The potential is amazing around here :)
I've heard so many stories along the way... handstand accomplishments, doing headstand in the middle of the room for the first time, seeing muscles in your arms that you never knew were under there, going into full wheel from wild thing, even moving your feet/toes in ways you hadn't in years! The list goes on and on. In addition to the strength, agility and flexibility gained within your asana practice, there was a sheer sense of happiness around the studio. People started to smile more often. Friendships were deepened. Eye contact was easier. Not only did your bodies change, your hearts became more open. You built the capacity to see yourself and others in an honest manner. That's the thing about yoga... you may come to the mat to simply tone your body, but you step off your mat a little sweeter, a little stronger and a lot more settled in your own skin.
I want to personally congratulate each and every one of you who participated in this bender. It may seem crazy to others, but now you can honestly see how a consistent yoga practice effects your daily life. As the folks at my favorite yoga studio (On Time) in Boulder say, "Changing the world, one downward dog at a time!"
So here's to living each day with a committed, inspired, passionate and celebratory outlook. Thank you all for your hard work and smiles along the way. Honoring each and every one of you, Namaste!
Brigette
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