by Manmohan Singh, The debate about whether yoga is a science or an art has been going on for a long time. However, if you really know what is science and what is art, then you probably don’t need any explanation to decide what yoga is. Let’s look at the definition of science first: The systematic study of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.Systemized knowledge of a specific subject.A specific branch of knowledge.Knowledge gained through systematic … [Read more...]
When Yoga Isn’t Enough: The Importance of Varying Your Movement
by Lucinda Staniland Movement. It’s a big deal. Humans move often, and in varied ways, and when we don’t do this (like when we sit for 8+ hours a day which is the norm in many countries now) there are consequences. Most of us will have experienced some of these consequences in our own bodies to some extent, whether that's through pain, injuries, disease or other physical challenges. In recent times, yoga has become increasingly popular as a way to get moving. Of course, there’s much … [Read more...]
A Review of Sex, Drugs and (mostly) Yoga: Field Notes from a Kundalini Awakening
by Susan Pryor, Kara-Leah Grant's third book, Sex, Drugs and (mostly) Yoga: Field Notes from a Kundalini Awakening, is an epic auto-biographical journey spanning fourteen years of Kara-Leah's life. The journey begins in an acute psyche ward in Vancouver where Kara-Leah found herself after her first psychotic episode involving hallucinogenic drugs. Kara-Leah, a practicing yogini, went from being a freedom-loving 29-year-old engaged to-be-married party girl indulging in various … [Read more...]
What Does it Mean to be an Awakened Heart Warrior in Troubled Times?
by Kara-Leah Grant, The news isn't getting any better. Extinction is looming for 1 million plants and animals, thanks to human activity, says the UN. Trump's Administration heralds melting sea ice as opening new opportunities for trade. And global beverage giants continue to bottle New Zealand's water at aquifer-destroying rates. Storms are worse. Refugee numbers are climbing. Our rivers are increasingly polluted. We've cleared 75% of our forests, and a whopping 95% of our wetlands. … [Read more...]
The Power of Just Being: Reflections on a Silent Retreat
By Sandra Palmer I am a talker, a chatterbox even. So, I received some surprised responses (shocked, disbelieving and even amused!) when I informed people that I was attending a seven-day silent retreat. Some friends were plainly envious and thought it sounded divine. Many were curious: But why? They asked. Why would you do this? What is the purpose of being silent? Others wanted to know how hard it would be for me. I did not have answers to these questions. I was too busy … [Read more...]
Finding Hope in Chronic Pain: Why I’m Rethinking Biomechanics & Alignment
by Lucinda Staniland I used to think that alignment and biomechanics were the answer to the riddle that is chronic pain. If only I could work hard enough to correct my hyperlordosis, strengthen my weak glutes, and reverse my scoliosis then my pain would ease - right? At least, that’s what I was told. Now, I’m not so sure. In fact, I’ve found that I’ve been able to reduce my chronic pain significantly without changing my biomechanics or alignment at all. In fact, I now wonder if my focus … [Read more...]
Proprioception: Some Practical Tips to Reconnect the Disconnected
by Sonya Simpson, Early in my yoga teaching career, I guided a group of five website developers in a corporate ‘one-off’ that a young, confident business owner from Sydney arranged. He called it a chance for his staff to do ‘something different’. Within the practice I guided a tall lanky man with an awkward gait through a chilled, gentle practice. He was clearly uncomfortable on the yoga mat. I got the impression that he felt anxious being with me, a stranger, in the small studio … [Read more...]
Climate Change, Extinction & How to be an Agent of Change
by Kara-Leah, It can be scary and painful to see the truth of the moment as it is. But many of us have been learning how to do this in our personal evolution as awakening human beings. We've been learning how to work with fear. How to sit with grief, shame and guilt. We've learned that by doing this, we can then release the wounds, the traumas and historical pain and free ourselves from the past - our own past, and the past of our ancestors. What's this got to do with Climate Change? … [Read more...]
The Powerful Benefits of Yoga for Teenagers
by Charlotta Martinus, TeenYoga “All of my friends smoke a spliff every day and/or take medication, either to help them sleep, or to combat anxiety or depression or for ADHD. Those drugs get shared around and sold, especially during exams.”Niall, age 17 In an uncertain world, young people are turning to coping strategies that are available to them. The medications that are designed to support those with anxiety and depression are not licensed for use among those under 18 years old and even … [Read more...]
Low Energy? Ayurveda Has Some Answers
By Donna Farhi, My colleague and co-teacher Ayurvedic Clinician Melissa Spamer tells me that the most common reason that women come to her for consultation is that they “want more energy”. Poor digestion, insomnia, high-stress levels, and dramatic hormonal and metabolic shifts with accompanying weight gain, are all conditions that respond well to simple Ayurvedic practices. In this article, you'll learn how implementing one of the golden rules of Ayurveda can radically improve your energy … [Read more...]