Karma Yoga: Acting Out of Love

by Juan Villegas, E-RYT® 500

The Fruits of Your Actions

The principle of karma has been embodied in many ways. The movie Back To The Future II had a deep impact on me as a child. Firstly, I grew up believing that the release of Hover-boards was just around the corner, and secondly that our smallest actions have repercussions that are invisible. The movie demonstrates the Butterfly Effect, the theory that the flap of the wings of a butterfly can cause the formation of a hurricane.

Developing Mindfulness On & Off Your Mat

by Juan Villegas, E-RYT® 500

Connections in Yoga

There is a moment in a yoga practice when I awaken my body after savasana, sit up, open my eyes and enjoy the blissful connections between body and mind and the sense of peace this connection brings. I’ve heard this referred to as “yoga glow” and you can see it on the faces of others as they leave class, a gentle smile and relaxed eyes. A full mind-body connection achieved through the mindful movement of breath and body. I believe it is this feeling that keeps us coming back to our mats, in our hectic lives we need as much of this connection as we can find! For 60 minutes the mind has focus, the breath is full and you can’t worry about your phone or email, you are connected to yourself instead of devices.

Dukkha: Embracing Discomfort

by Mark Atherton, E-RYT® 200

Dukkha | A Tool for Self Study

Dukkha is a fascinating word in the worlds of Yoga and Buddhism. It is often translated as ‘suffering’ which tends to sound rather pessimistic. Lama Surya Das translates Dukkha as “difficulties ” or “dissatisfaction” which is less harsh in tone and a fact of life to which all of us can relate.

Meditation, Your Brain on Yoga

by Juan Villegas, E-RYT® 500

There is a scene in the movie Eat Pray Love where Liz sits in the beautiful meditation room at the Ashram. She closes her eyes to meditate and immediately thoughts about her house, job and life start stampeding through her head. Anyone new to this practice can empathize; those first few times we meditate can seem like a battle with our thoughts. Sitting in stillness is a skill we find challenging, but with simple regular practice with no expectation an entirely new world can open up. Positively effecting our asana practice, relationships and health.

Technology Overload & How Yoga Can Help

by Mark Atherton, E-RYT® 200

Technology and I endure a love hate relationship. It’s been around two weeks since I returned from New Zealand. For 16 days my devices remained off, disconnected from service. Silence was everywhere. My mind wasn’t drawn to the buzzing of my phone or ping of a new email. I loved my simple morning ritual of a cup of tea watching the sun rise, walks after meals, and uninterrupted conversations.

Detachment Lessons & Mindful Living From my Dog

by Juan Villegas, E-RYT® 500

Detachment seems to come easily for my 20 pound yorkie Diego. I woke up early this morning, put his leash on and went outside into the -15 weather to the dog park. As I stood complaining about the weather, I watched Diego as he played in the snow, not caring about the cold.