Inhale Arms Up, Exhale Forward Fold, Repeat.

by Juan Villegas

When a person becomes aware that their breath and movement are dancing together at the same time, that person is developing more intelligent and efficient movement patterns. When someone inhales, exhales, and moves, and becomes aware of what they are doing at that moment, their awareness expands and they can then be more aware of the space around them. It is there and then that they become more mindful and they may feel a new relationship between their body and space. I imagine that being aware of what’s around oneself would be like deciphering a secret code that only some know of, something like gaining a new superpower.

Koshas: Getting to Know Them Through Asana

by Juan Villegas, E-RYT® 500

Koshas: Getting to Know Yourself through Yoga Practice

Koshas are layers or sheaths that help us to move from the physical to the spiritual. There’s that moment at the end of an intense physical and mental practice, it could be running, yoga or chasing your nephews around a park for two hours, where you feel absolutely blissed out and serene. Have you felt that before? While your mind was focused and your physical body was working you managed to move into a state of peace. According to yoga philosophy, you have moved through the layers of the Koshas. Much like layers of an onion, the peeling of these layers helps us navigate to the core of who we really are.

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.