Fresh and juicy conversations on making yoga a part of your daily life
by guest author Jessica Powers The word chakra comes from the Sanskrit language and literally translates to ‘wheel’. Often described as ‘wheels of light’ a chakra is an energy center in the human body aligned with the spine and considered to be an interface between the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual. Though there are many systems detailing the subtle anatomy of humans, some speaking of 12 or even 100s of chakras, the most common tradition is … [Read more...]
an essay by guest author Ali Halle Tilley Yoga is an ancient practice, which can bring transformation and liberation to the disillusioned, disenfranchised masses[1] of the Technological Age by combining universal moral codes and postural sequences, with breathing and meditation techniques. One main challenge for yoga practiced in the West, however, is the contagion of consumerism where yoga students and teachers buy into what is currently fashionable and dismiss what is genuine. This … [Read more...]
by guest author Katie Lane What the Christchurch earthquake is teaching me about stability. Just when I thought I’d found my roots...the ground shook. AGAIN. Tuesday morning, 11.32am. The biggest aftershock I felt since our original 7.1 magnitude earthquake in early September. It was also the first *big* aftershock for me since arriving back in NZ from an amazing therapy training with John Friend in Maui. Compared to the BIG event, this shake was minor. However, a 5.0 on any scale … [Read more...]
Imagine if you could experience everyday life with the same amount of presence you bring to yoga or meditation. Imagine how you would feel if you could bring that keen awareness to everything, not just the moments spent on the mat. That's the promise of ‘Unveiling the New’, a one day women-only workshop on November 6th 2010 facilitated by Pam Harding. She says the workshop is a place where women can experience activity and yet be encouraged to come from a place of 'no activity' or … [Read more...]
by guest author Marianne Elliott, Off the Mat NZ It’s not exactly the kind of question people are likely to ask you at a cocktail party, but increasingly I hear people asking themselves and others: What is your purpose in life? Many of us long for a clear sense of purpose: one coherent story about what we are supposed to be doing with our life. We wish we could feel confident that we are spending our “one wild and precious life” in a way that is meaningful, that is contributing … [Read more...]
My opportunity to practice some really serious yoga came before I'd even boarded the plane to Auckland. On my way to ten days of yoga teacher training with Shiva Rea, I was feeling sad about leaving my man and my wee man behind. Really sad, too sad to feel excited. Standing at the counter, checking my bag through to LA, I handed over my passport. An old-school ten year passport that doesn't expire until 2013, and is also - as I was about to find out - not machine-readable. Which … [Read more...]
