Bondage or liberation are in your own mind

As the mind, so the man; bondage or liberation are in your own mind. (Mana eva manushyanam karanam bandha mokshayoho)

Santosha: "At some point we all think to ourselves 'I'd be happy if...' or 'I could practice if...' The truth is that there will always be something that we think is in our way and that if wait for that 'perfect' moment, chances are that it will never come.

The Niyama, Santosha , is about contentment. Seeing things with equanimity and finding the grace in our daily lives. In this way, each moment is a chance for yoga, a chance for liberation, whether we are on a beautiful mountain top or in a teensy cubicle. 'As the mind, so the man; bondage or liberation are in your own mind.'"

Description: Elise Espat , Albuquerque Ashtanga Yoga Shala

Editors: Jessica Walden and Elise Espat
Cartoon guy: Boonchu Tanti, Ashtanga Illustrations by Boonchu

All comics here: http://is.gd/G89IRK

 

 

Weekend Edition #5

Yoga Stops Traffick 2013 was a great success.  You can still donate online here.

Here in Albuquerque we chanted "Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu" 108 times.  Some people counted with their own japa malas, others counted with their fingers, and we all followed the count of 108 New Mexico pinto beans dropping into a jar.

Before we began chanting, I gave a short talk on "ahimsa".  Often defined as "non-harm", an easy way to practice ahimsa is to avoid violent or harmful situations.  As we deepen our practice the definition grows to not only avoiding painful actions but actively working to end suffering.  Perhaps it could even evolve to healing.

People sometimes wonder how can we say that we practice every day when we take so many days off (moon days, Saturdays, ladies' holiday).  The answer is simple: asana is only one component of Ashtanga Yoga.  While we practice asanas for just a short while on most days, opportunities to practice ahimsa are always available, both on and off the mat...

Here is a lovely video from the 2013 Ashtanga Yoga Confluence with Dena Kingsberg discussing ahimsa:

Be Steadfast in Yoga

karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo 'stv akarmaṇi

yoga-sthaḥ kuru karmani sanyugam tyaktvā dhananjaya
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhutvā samatvam yoga ucyate

कर्मण्य् एवाधिकारस् ते मा फलेषु कदाचन
मा कर्मफलहेतुर् भूर् मा ते सङ्गो ऽस्त्व् अकर्मणि
योगस्थः कुरु कर्मनि सन्युगम् त्यक्त्वा धनन्जय
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भुत्वा समत्वम् योग उच्यते

"Your right is to work only, but never with its fruits; let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.  Perform action, O Arjuna, being steadfast in Yoga, abandoning attachment and balanced in success and failure.  Evenness of mind is called Yoga."
~2.47-48 Bhagavad Gītā

Yoga Stops Traffick: The Comic

One meaning of Yoga is "to come together", "to unite" and one of the 8 limbs of yoga is Yama, or our relationships with the outside world. Within Yama is Ahimsa, which means non-violence towards others, including working to end violence. Ahimsa means kindness, compassion and thoughtful consideration of others. It also includes our duties and responsibilities. 

As yoga practitioners (or even those of us who are new to the asana practice), we can practice the true concept of yoga by coming together and practicing Ahimsa just by getting on the mat and supporting Odanadi's amazing work.

Odanadi:
Over the past 20 years Odanadi Seva Trust has rescued and rehabilitated more than 1850 children, carried out 57 brothel raids and brought 137 traffickers to justice. With your help, compassion and cooperation, Odanadi will continue to provide a place of sanctuary for the survivors of human trafficking and offer them a chance to rebuild their lives.

Closing chant meaning by Sharon Gannon from here:
http://jivamuktiyoga.com/teachings/focus-of-the-month/p/lokah-samastah-sukhino-bhavantu
 
By Boonchu Tanti via The Yoga Comics

Yoga Stops Traffick ABQ

YOGA STOPS TRAFFICK 2013
Saturday, March 9th at 9am
at the Albuquerque Ashtanga Yoga Shala
Fundraiser and fruit of our tapas to benefit Odanadi Seva Trust. We'll be chanting a mantra for peace 108 times to take a stand against human trafficking in India.
$20 suggested donation (cash only). All are welcome.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
"May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all."

The Ultimate Vegan Baking Cheat Sheet

 

Thanks, PETA!

The Yoga Comics - Always Mula Bandha

 

 via The Yoga Comics

Weekend Edition #4

Shining light on some basic questions on how to get started with practice:
How do I get started with Mysore practice?
Should I go to Mysore or Led class?
What's the etiquette?
How do I pick a yoga mat?
What is a rug for and where can I get one?
Where do I find a teacher?

Next Saturday, March 9th is the worldwide 2013 Yoga Stops Traffick event which aims to raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking in India. 
Find an event near you. 
Here's the info for our event in Albuquerque.



For all you new vegans, vegetarians, and veg-curious out there, here are some food blogs that inspire:
The Post Punk Kitchen
Happy. Healthy. Life
Yum Universe



Lastly, be sure to like The Yoga Comics on Facebook.  Word on the street is a new comic is coming out shortly...

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu 

"May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all."

Yoga Stops Traffick 2013

Based in Mysore, India Odanadi is a wonderful organization initiating real change and positivity in the lives of many.  Their annual Yoga Stops Traffick event raises awareness and funds which help provide a "safe haven for survivors of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, slavery, domestic abuse and destitution".

Donate.  Get involved.  Learn more.

The Yoga Comics - Moon Day

My story and our Shala transformed into this cute comic about moon days by Boonchu Tanti of The Yoga Comics.  Tomorrow is a moon day, no classes.  Take rest!

Weekend Edition #3

"Stephen Theodore Schaffer, known to most as Shyamdas, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Goa, India on Saturday, January 19. He was 59. Namarupa has published a special 36 page issue containing an obituary, photographs and memories of Shyamdas and all the articles that Shyamdas ever wrote for Namarupa."  

 Download the special issue "Shyamdas :: In Memoriam" for free here.

“All forms of Yoga lead us to bhava – the enlightened, inspired state of pure being. Bhava creates in us a direct experience of the unity of all things. This journey of kirtan (sacred chant) introduces the subtle relationship between non-dual vision and loving devotion as the foundation for the yoga experience.” – Shyamdas (1953-2013)

 

This week we have conference notes from July 8 and October 21 as well as the appendix to our local conference which focused on breathing and awareness.

Kate O'Donnell writes from India on how waking up early for practice can bring the breathing to the spiritual and back again.

Meditations on food and practice continue with David Life's video on why diet matters and the conversation continues with Life and Sharon Gannon's discussion on the yamas and the connection to food.

T. Colin Campbell presents the science around why food matters and we end with a recipe for Super Easy Vegan Ice Cream and a thumbs up for The Yoga Cookbook.


May all beings be happy and free

No Meat Athlete's Guide to Vegan Egg Substitutions

Resolving the Health Care Crisis: T. Colin Campbell at TEDxEast

"Dr.Campbell has spent the last 40 years at the forefront of nutrition research. His major research project the China Project is the largest nutrition study ever conducted. Here he shares his ideas to revolutionize our nation's health."

Super Easy Vegan Ice Cream

Yes, this was breakfast a few days ago.  While I'm saving the fruit cobbler for a future post, today it is all about the Super Easy Vegan Ice Cream.

Ingredients:

• Banana (1 per person)

Directions:
Freeze banana.  Yes, the whole banana -- peel and all.  The taste will differ based on the stage of ripeness, so experiment.  When you are ready to make the ice cream, take out the frozen banana and let it thaw out a little.  Remove (and compost) the peel.  Blend the banana.  Enjoy!

(It is entirely possible that freezing a peeled banana is easier to handle.  I just prefer it this way.)

That's it.  Super simple.  But that doesn't have to be the end...

Possible additions:

• Shredded coconut
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Chocolate or carob powder
• Other frozen fruits

Goes great:

• By itself
• On pies, cobblers, cakes, granola, etc.

Diet and Spirituality: Why does it matter?

David Life (Jivamukti Yoga) talks a bit on the relationship between food and yoga practice.

Aditya Hrudayam / Ādityahṛdayam / आदित्यहृदयम्

Local "Conference" Appendix #2 - Breathing & Awareness

How can we become more aware of ourselves and how we move in space?  Can we begin to see new options and possibilities?  We all breathe, so attention to breathing is a great place to start.

First, some theory.  Check out Leslie Kaminoff's video "The Accordion and the Water Balloon":






Next, let's see how this works under the skin with Gil Hedley's "Exquisite lungs breathing":

Now, we move into practice with this video of a Led Intermediate class at the main shala in Mysore, India.  Remember, Led 2nd is invite only, so these are really experienced practitioners.

A bit more in practice with Pattabhi Jois (Guruji) leading Richard Freeman through the final asanas:

Here is some additional reading on the breathing we do in practice:
Ujjayi vs. Free Breathing  David Robson (Toronto) discusses the learning process and breathing.
Ujjāyī vs. Free Breathing in Ashtanga Yoga (Hatha Yoga Pradipika) The HYP on breathing.
Ujjāyī vs. Free Breathing in Ashtanga Yoga (Gheranda Samhita) The GS on breathing.

If you are congested, you might want to try neti (jala or sutra -- ask your teacher).





Also, food can be a contributing factor.  Here are some foods known to increase mucus:

• Sugar
• Meat
• Dairy
• Wheat

Why does how we breathe matter?  Breathing can either limit or increase our space in asanas.  It can either calm or agitate the mind and the nervous system.  Also, the heat that comes from good breathing is essential to purification:

A vital aspect of internal purification that Pattabhi Jois teaches relates to the six poisons that surround the spiritual heart. In the yoga shastra it is said that God dwells in our heart in the form of light, but this light is covered by six poisons: kama, krodha, moha, lobha, matsarya, and mada. These are desire, anger, delusion, greed, envy and sloth. When yoga practice is sustained with great diligence and dedication over a long period of time, the heat generated from it burns away these poisons, and the light of our inner nature shines forth.

Weekend Edition #2

In this Weekend Edition we've got the week's post popular post on ujjayi vs free breathing which goes along with tomorrow's local conference theme on breathing in asana practice. 

You've probably noticed an abundance of food-related posts.  The topic has been big around here the last few weeks and rightfully so.  What we eat has a massive impact on how we feel and on our yoga practices (not just asana)...    

How Digestion Works includes a basic primer on your insides from one end to the other.  There's an infographic and short video, but there are also a couple of longer videos that you might find interesting that includes footage from a full-length Berkeley biology course.

A Strategy for Health "Many people confuse pleasure with happiness. This can be a big problem and can lead to some very unhappy results. It is imperative that we recognize the difference between pleasure and happiness."

How to Eat Right to Reduce Stress lists foods to include and avoid so we can stress less.

The Kind Diet explains how to transition to a kinder lifestyle, become vegan, and explore macrobiotics.  Really great and simple recipes as well as clear and digestible information.  And pretty pictures.

 Forks Over Knives gets you thinking about why and what you eat.  If you're feeling inspired to do some healthy cooking, head over to Going Home to Roost for plant-based dinner ideas.

How digestion works

Infographic by Jackie Chow

(In under two minutes)




(Expanded version)

(University version)

Breathing, emotions, and back pain

Leslie Kaminoff talks a bit on the connection between breathing, emotions, and back pain.