by guest author Swami Karma Karuna, Anahata Retreat Centre Twenty years ago a friend mentioned to me Arunachala, a sacred mountain of Shiva, (a representation of high consciousness in yoga or to devoted Hindus one of the many forms of God). Many know it due to the great Saint Ramana Maharishi who has and still inspires millions in the quest to discover; “Who am I?…not Peter or Jane or this body or this mind, but who am I really?" For some reason, this mountain of Shiva became lodged in my mind … [Read more...]
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em
By Kara-Leah Grant, author Forty Days of Yoga The more I practice yoga the more I realise it's got nothing to do with "flexibility". At least - not in the way that we often think about it, as the stretching of muscles. Rather, yoga often has to do with letting go and releasing our nervous system and the patterns of holding that result from years of activating the fight or flight system. These patterns of behaviour create the shapes of our bodies, as much as our muscles and bones … [Read more...]
Do I dare open into the belly of my own desire?
by Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat I'm sitting in the Picton Ferry Terminal, about to head over to Wellington for my second book launch event. The first was at the International Yoga Conference and Festival at Kawai Purapura last weekend. It was both a blissful and challenging experience, and - as always - a learning experience. The bliss came in teaching a class to 40+ eager yogis and feeling the flow alongside them. It was such a joy to share my teaching and my yoga. It was … [Read more...]
Exploring the Niyamas: Using tapas to burn through our shit
by Kara-Leah Grant Oh God do I need to cultivate tapas right now. Or I am cultivating it. Or the cultivation of it is serving me. Or something. I'm over-whelmed, emotional, stressed out and just want to get off this damn computer and go sit under a tree. (Notice the shift from Wednesday's post on self-realisation? Welcome to duality people!) It's two days until book launch and I have a mountain of things to do but I'm staying with family and also want to see them and I have a … [Read more...]
What does ‘Yoga is a path to self-realisation’ mean?
By Kara-Leah Grant It's the eve of my book launch and I'm watching a talk on TED called The Gift of Asking. Earlier, I took time to sit on the front deck of my Aunt's house, high on a hill over looking Thames and watched the sun set. The views were panoramic, the insect life vibrant and lyrical, and as I sat I felt profoundly connected. I felt, in my bones, a sense of achievement and accomplishment as I realised I'd done it; I'd come back from insanity - all the way back. For the first time, I … [Read more...]
How to use Mula Bandha (root lock) to strengthen every pose
by guest author Carol Lux, The Yoga Life Next time you attempt Wheel Pose (back bend or Urdhva Dhanurasana) tell yourself; “Lock Mula Bandha!” You won’t believe the difference it will make. Like magic your core will strengthen, your chest and pelvis will rise toward the ceiling and your arms will feel light and airy. I hear you asking; “What miracle worker could this Mula Banhda be?” Let me tell you a little story. One day I found myself at an Ashtanga workshop and we were all … [Read more...]
I can do it. (And so can you)
By Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat Oh yes... the pressure has been on this week. I leave this Saturday for Auckland in preparation for launching Forty Days of Yoga at the International Yoga Conference Festival next Friday. My book hasn't gone to print yet. There's been issues with corrupted files. Scheduling difficulties with layout folk and designers. Couriers that don't deliver. Trimming accidents. And finally, font issues on the print proof. It's to be expected. There's always … [Read more...]
How to bring a dragonfly back to life
By Kara-Leah Grant, Yesterday Samuel and I went for our usual morning walk around the boardwalk. As I pushed his pram down the dusty trail beside the river I started and stopped. Was that a dead dragonfly on the trail? I doubled-back and carefully picked up a grey, wizened and dusty dragonfly and placed it on the palm of my left hand to show Samuel. I was startled when the dragonfly moved one leg out into a more comfortable position and I realized it wasn't dead - at least, not entirely. We … [Read more...]
How to conquer your monkey brain and calm your world
by guest author Carol Lux, The Yoga Life Remember those horrible flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz? Now picture those ghastly villains taking control of your brain. What a horrible nightmare that would be! So what does it feel like when a Flying Monkey Brain has taken up residence in your mind? Surprisingly, you may know the feeling well. Think of the last time your thoughts were so scattered, your mind so incessantly busy, that you just lost control over what is happening now. You … [Read more...]
The Benefits of Practicing Yoga While Watching TV
By Kara-Leah Grant During class on Wednesday, as we moved from posture to posture, I drew my students attention to the way they were beginning to intuitively move their bodies in counterposes and releases after a more intense posture. They weren't thinking about it, it was just happening as their body moved spontaneously and they followed along. One of my students looked up and exclaimed: That's what's happening when I watch TV now! A-ha! One benefit of practicing yoga while watching TV is … [Read more...]