How being kind to myself helped me do 108 sun salutations at Global Mala Wellington

Global Mala Wellington 2010

by guest author Alys Titchener, author of blog Squashed Mosquito. Set up against all weather predictions, long term at least, Global Mala took to the outdoors on Wellington’s waterfront. An hour before, it was hard to tell if the blue sky was teasing us or accommodating us. From one hour to the next, it’s hard to know what the weather will do in Wellington. We arrived in optimism giving thanks to the sun; an attitude to befit an afternoon of sun salutations. Not having done more … [Read more...]

How to learn from the goals we don’t achieve

Wide child's pose

by guest author Elissa Jordan Seems I don’t trust myself. I’ve recently committed myself to a 30-day sadhana or committed practice through 30 days of yoga. And as a result I’ve not gone anywhere near my yoga mat for days. Every morning I wake up and I have a talk with myself about how today is going to be different. Today I’m going to get up early. Today I’m going to respect my commitment. Today I’m going to practice yoga. And then the excuses start - too tired, too … [Read more...]

Completion of a loving-kindness sadhana, Day 30 to Day 40

Mudra on the beach

This was the easiest sadhana (daily spiritual practice) I've done. Simply sitting cross-legged and repeating four lines (in English no less!) over and over. May I be filled with loving-kindness May I be well My I be peaceful and at ease May I be happy I finished yesterday, with a twenty minute meditation. Yet this morning, getting stuck into work, I couldn't wait to do my meditation. So I did. Day 41. This may just be a daily practice for me until... well who knows? … [Read more...]

How to connect to other people while holding your centre – a new loving-kindness sadhana

Hugs at Paekakariki

Perhaps my biggest discovery this year has been the power of sadhana. I started my new years with a Forty Day Sadhana of Sodarshan Chakra Kriya. It took me a bit longer than forty days to finish it, as I missed a day at day 35 and had to start all over again... but boy was it powerful when I finally finished. I was super excited when I started my next sadhana - all about accessing infinite energy and prosperity. Unfortunately, I had to stop that one at Day 15 because I discovered I was … [Read more...]

How to approach challenging yoga poses with patience and self-kindness

galavasana

  Though we all know, as good yogis should, that the purpose of our practice is to create a greater sense of inner peace and self-actualization, it’s sometimes difficult to not push ourselves past our physical limits. by guest author Seka Ojdrovic It’s often said that we are our own worst critic.  Part of being human is striving to attain the unattainable and not being satisfied until it’s within our grasp.  The practice of yoga is no exception, as we often literally … [Read more...]