John's article first appeared in Australian Yoga LIFE by guest author Ana Davis John Ogilvie is one of those rare people you meet with whom you feel an almost instant heart connection. There is a glint in his eyes that tells of an inner-spring of joy and a hint of boyish cheekiness. His presence is one of yogic lightness that makes it difficult to imagine him ever having plumbed the depths of despair and spiritual emptiness that characterise a destructive drug addiction. Nowadays John … [Read more...]
Search Results for: "Bhagavad Gita"
Mantra, Meditation & Reflection – The Yoga of Sound, An interview with Swami Muktimurti
Supplied by Anahata Yoga Retreat Centre It is that time of year again where we are about to enter a significantly beneficial astrological period. In India, these months are at a time of changing seasons, and it is a time set aside for practicing sadhana - a set period of intensified yoga practices. Traditionally the main part of that sadhana involves chanting. We have the pleasure of welcoming back Swami Muktimurti of the Satyananda Yoga Academy, Australasia. She will share with us how … [Read more...]
An interview with Satyananda Yoga teachers, Rishis Nityabodha and Yoga Diwali
Supplied by Anahata Yoga Retreat In India there was a very ancient tradition which was followed by the saints and sages who lived with their wives and families, deep in the forests and jungles, practicing sadhana and meditation. This system was known as the tradition of rishis. The tradition of rishis is meant to give a reorientation to the lifestyle of every householder, because many times householders forget the purpose of life. It is not wrong to enjoy life, to have desires and to … [Read more...]
How yoga helped me… enjoy a fulfilling pregnancy
Submitted by Mandy Lawson of Cobano, Costa Rica The day I found out that I am pregnant with my first child was one of the most astounding, emotional and happy days of my life so far. In our minds we can imagine how we will feel and react when something long awaited happens, but this was much more intense that I could have guessed. I doubt that I will ever forget the amazement and disbelief that I encountered upon seeing the two little pink lines on the pregnancy test. I just kept … [Read more...]
Why I’m sharing the light and stopping traffick with yoga.
By guest author Alanna Krause, Yoga Stops Traffick NZ The week of March 4 – 10, all over New Zealand, there will be yoga classes, film screenings, yoga malas (108 sun salutations), and many other events for Yoga Stops Traffick NZ, part of the global effort to end human trafficking. I’d like to share a little bit about my journey and how I came to organize this event. The first time I went to India, years ago, I took a train. There was an old man with a long white beard in my car, who was … [Read more...]
An interview with senior Iyengar teacher Carrie Owerko
American Senior Iyengar teacher Carrie Owerko is hosting a ten-day yoga retreat called Uncovering Roots in Infinite Space here in New Zealand from Friday, February 24, 2012 to Sunday, March 04, 2012. YLB spoke to Carrie to find out more about her journey into yoga, and the retreat. See the end of the interview for booking details, and a special discount for YLB readers. 1. How did you get into Yoga? I first began doing yoga when I was working for a movement theatre company in … [Read more...]
March 4 – 10, New Zealand-wide, Yoga Stops Traffick
Kia Ora! Have you ever wanted to use yoga to make a positive difference in the world? Get involved in Yoga Stops Traffick New Zealand, March 4-10, 2012. About a year ago, Wellington yoga teacher Alanna went to Mysore to volunteer with Odanadi, an amazing organization that rescues children from human trafficking in India. Odanadi has rescued more than 2000 victims from the sex trade, abuse, and bonded servitude in some of the poorest communities. They run a sanctuary where survivors … [Read more...]
How to answer: what exactly is the energy body?
by guest author Elissa Jordan It started with a story about a mouse in a toaster. Our second weekend in Nelson, as part of the Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Jenifer Parker of Wellington’s Healium, focused on the energy body. Looking back over my notes from the weekend I see the conversation ebb and flow as only appropriate for a weekend focusing on energy. The movement of stories rode one energetic wave after the next - starting with that mouse in a toaster, and moving to a … [Read more...]
Swami Ji reveals why every yoga practitioner needs a guru
Swami Govindananda, affectionately known as Swami Ji, is a Kiwi boy born and bred, so he always loves coming back home to spread the yogic word. He's back on tour here in New Zealand in April, May and June. You can find full details of his workshops and retreat here. An entertaining and inspirational speaker, Swami Ji gives some interesting insight into what it means to be a swami, and why every serious yogi needs to find a Guru one day. 1. What does it mean to be a Swami? In … [Read more...]
DVD Review: Bhakti – The Path of Love
Win your own copy of Swami Ji's Bhakti - The Path of Love. See the end of this article for details. I’ve always considered myself a bhakti yogini – 4 of my 5 tattoos are overt reminders to myself of my relationships with the Divine. Yet it wasn’t a topic covered by any of my trainings or workshops. Bhakti Yoga is one of the major paths of yoga, alongside Hatha Yoga, yet very little of this particular approach is shared in the West. So I was rightly chuffed to be assigned Swami … [Read more...]