By Lucinda Staniland By now you've probably come across Yoga Nidra, one of the hottest trends to hit the Yoga scene in recent years. Everyone is doing it, from your trend-setting Instagram-loving best friend to your old-school internet-free great Aunt. But what is Yoga Nidra exactly, and does it deserve its sudden popularity? To the latter, I answer with an emphatic YES, which I trust will quickly become clear in the eight points below. And for an answer to the former, I turned to Swami … [Read more...]
Has Modern Yoga Been Dominated By The Masculine?
Editor's Note: Since this article was published, several accounts of sexual harassment and assault have been made public by Mark Whitwell's female students. We do not in any way condone Mark's behaviour. You can read more about the accounts here. by Lucinda Staniland It's interesting what happens when you ask a difficult question. You'll note that there is only one man featured in this edition of The Community Speaks, our roundup of perspectives from influential people in the NZ and Australia … [Read more...]
The Community Speaks: Who Has Had The Greatest Influence On Your Yoga Practice?
by Lucinda Staniland This week we started a conversation that explores the very foundations of a yoga practice. We selected a handful of influential people in the New Zealand and Australian yoga community and asked them, Who has had the greatest influence on your yoga practice? Their answers are as varied and vibrant as the yogis themselves, and they showcase both the diversity and the surprising unity of the yoga community. Enjoy! Persephone Singfield I am the one who has the … [Read more...]
Swami Karma Karuna on Yoga Nidra Training & Our Great Need For Restorative Practices
by Kara-Leah Grant Yoga Nidra has long been an important and regular part of my yoga practice. I found it invaluable when I had a newborn baby, as a way to rest and restore in less than twenty minutes. And, even more interesting, after doing it consistently for over a decade, I'm starting to reap some of the more esoteric benefits of the practice that Swami Karma Karuna describes below. For these reasons, I'm delighted to see that Anahata Yoga Retreat is holding a Yoga Nidra Instructor … [Read more...]
A review of Yoga for Women: Awaken the Inner Shakti with Swami Karma Karuna
By regular columnist Lucinda Staniland, Off The Mat When Kara-Leah asked me if I would like to review a Yoga for Women CD I knew there was no way I could turn down the offer. I thought to myself: You want to give me a free CD of guided yoga practices for women made by the lovely Karma Karuna of Anahata retreat? And then: Hell yes! I’m a women, I love yoga, I have great respect for Karma Karuna, and I have (almost) no disposable income to spend on yoga, so I leapt at the chance for some … [Read more...]
Sacred Feminine and Yoga: Practical Tools. Part 4
by guest author Swami Karma Karuna, Anahata Yoga Retreat There are more practical tools than can be described belonging to tantra and yoga that are beneficial for a woman’s body, mind and support the connection to the inner sacred space. The practices all work in different ways with the ultimate goal of helping one to reconnect with their higher self or the inner Shakti, which in fact is the sacred feminine. Shakti is the life force. When it is blocked or out of balance, physical and … [Read more...]
Sacred Feminine and Yoga: Honouring the forces within. Part 3
by guest author, Swami Karma Karuna, Anahata Yoga Retreat All cultures of the ancient world worshipped the principles of the Mother, Shakti or Devi. Although it may have been called by different names, the concept of a force which bestows life, nourishes, loves, comforts, supports and transforms has always been present. In Christianity, we know her as Mother Mary. In Japan, she was Amaterasu, the sun-goddess; in Greece, she is Demeter, the corn-goddess, Aphrodite, the goddess of passion and … [Read more...]
Sacred Feminine and Yoga: It’s all about balance. Part 2
by guest author Swami Karma Karuna, Anahata Yoga Retreat The Tantric view of creation is that there are two forces called Shiva and Shakti representing the male and female aspects of creation, which exist within each and every person. Shiva, also called Purusha, is the masculine force and is pure ‘consciousness'. Shakti or Prakriti is the feminine force that is pure ‘energy’. One cannot exist without the other and both are within each of us. This duality is also described in the word 'Ha' 'Tha' … [Read more...]
I am exactly where I am meant to be
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...]
June 1-3: Auckland, Sacred Feminine Yoga Retreat with Swami Karma Karuna
Through nurturing sessions of yoga, creativity and music learn to awaken and channel the feminine force (shakti) to its creative potential. In this special retreat honouring the divine feminine energy, experience the special bond shared between women and join together to reignite our connection with Mother Earth and one another. Through nurturing sessions of yoga, creativity and music learn to awaken and channel the feminine force (shakti) to its creative potential. Join us in this safe and … [Read more...]