Recognition Of The Heart

October 20, 2009Katrina Ariel8 Comments

heart

You know when you meet someone and you feel an instant connection? Like you’ve known them your whole life but really you’ve never met?

That’s a recognition of spirit. It’s a connection of heart on a deep level – on the truest level. When you feel that you tap into the awareness of an intrinsic connection that exists beyond time and space.

We call these chance meetings, though there isn’t any randomness to it at all…

This happened to me most recently on a plane ride from Albuquerque to Houston. Standing in the tunnel between airport and plane (I’m sure this has a name but can’t think of it) I turned around and found a friendly face.

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A New Dawn Of You

October 17, 2009Katrina Ariel2 Comments

“It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life… For me… And I’m Feeling Good!”

These words, sung by the great Nina Simone, are super relevant, especially today.

As the daylight wanes and night grows longer in the Northern Hemisphere, the veils between what we generally think of as ‘reality’ and the ‘mystical’ fade. This gives us a chance to connect in a new way with the energy that pulsates as life, and the current of manifestation.

Right now, the new moon halfway between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice, is the Indian New Year, also called Diwali. This time of year is a transition between the fullness of summer and the inward gaze of winter.

This is the time to plant seeds for the next cycle. It is time to look back at what has come before; to be grateful for blessings and identify what no longer serves. In India they do the equivalent to our spring cleaning at this time. This is a chance to get rid of things, ideas and habits that don’t support your vision for yourself.

Going Into Retreat

October 10, 2009Katrina ArielLeave a comment

Wow. Sometimes even the word “Busy” doesn’t quite describe the pace of life, does it?

How about something like “Radically crazy full of things to do, people to see, interests to explore… Overwhelming at times yet somehow enjoyable all the same”?

I know, I’m a yoga teacher. If we went with the general idea of what that means you’d think I have loads of free time spent doing pretzel poses and esoteric meditations. Well, I do some of that, but even teachers get super busy and need yoga retreats.

I should be sleeping. Really. I’m about to leave the country, I have multiple To-Do lists staring at me, and each morning it has been harder to get out of bed because I stay up late writing. Not to mention the fact that I just got out of the shower and am sitting, wrapped in a towel at my computer. Slightly ridiculous, yet true.

Questioning The Guru: A Yoga Practice

October 9, 2009Katrina Ariel6 Comments

“If you know how to listen, everyone is a guru.”
~ Ram Das, from Be Here Now

The word ‘Guru’ has taken quite a ride lately, breaking away from the world of yoga and traveling everywhere else. You’ve got computer gurus, marketing gurus, quilting gurus, and on and on.

Sure, there are a few traditional gurus kicking around India and the rest of the world, some more qualified than others. Occasionally there is a person who truly deserves the description ‘guru’, but often this person would be so humble as to not need the name at all.

In the yoga world the word ‘guru’ conjures up many ideas.

For some, there is the pure concept of the guru as a humble master with the highest intentions, truly enlightened and willing to share his or her knowledge. Then there are those who have called themselves gurus only to act in less than honest ways, of which there are too many examples.

Asana and Alignment ~ Ask a Yogini

October 6, 2009Katrina ArielLeave a comment

Have questions about the physical aspect of yoga? You can ask other yoga related questions in the Ask A Yogini section of the site, or add alignment questions here by commenting below.

The following alignment suggestions are offered to enhance your understanding of alignment. I speak from my knowledge as an Anusara-Inspired™ yoga teacher. As with all physical practices, it is up to you to discern if something is safe for your body. If in doubt, check with your local Anusara yoga teacher or ask your health practitioner if you have health conditions.

Here are some common questions and answers:

Q. What is the proper alignment for plank pose?

A. First off, by shifting from the idea of “right and wrong” to the concept of aligned and mis-aligned, there is more space for individual differences and less tendency to be hard on yourself. The Universal Principles of Alignment™ of Anusara® yoga are applied to every pose. In plank, key areas to focus on would be

How Can Yoga Help Me Sleep?

October 5, 2009Katrina Ariel2 Comments

I get this question often: “How can I use yoga for sleep?”

Sometimes we get all wound up and sleep becomes elusive. Insomnia isn’t fun, nor is it helpful for health. We need to be able to rest well so the body can repair and heal, and so the mind wakes up refreshed. Stress levels and busy lifestyles leave many people unable to sleep when they really need it.

The good news is this: Yoga can help you get to sleep and rest more comfortably through the night. Here are a few ideas on how to use yoga for sleeping more contentedly.

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Yoga Magic

October 3, 2009Katrina ArielLeave a comment

We all seek magic. That something special that sparks and dances in our eyes, minds, and hearts.

Yoga can help us find it…

Meditation, asana practice on the mat, mantra (chanting) and other traditional forms of yoga are deeply potent with magic.

Yet there is more – much more – that we often miss in every day life. This is where the practice steps off the mat. This is where our yoga is played out on every level.

Magic awaits…

We look for it in the eyes of others, in the color of the sky, in the soft petals of flowers, in the play of light on water.

We seek it in the whispering of the wind, in the words of teachers and the laughter of children.

You know the thrill of a good story? This is another way we engage magic. The imagination (i-magi-ation – notice the ‘magi’ in there) is such a wonderful tool of creation.

Meditating Under The Catalpa Tree

October 1, 2009Katrina Ariel13 Comments

meditation-catalpa1 Each morning the first thing I do is to go sit out under the Catalpa tree.

I arrange myself on my red, heart shaped plush pillow, wrap myself up in blankets, and close my eyes.

Now you might be imagining this beautifully landscaped, clean, picturesque scene. You can go with that if you’d like, but the reality is that there’s a half falling over wood pile behind the tree, garbage and recycling bins next to it, and a wooden bench that really needs refinishing on the other side.

I don’t mind any of it. It’s the tree I want to be with.

Balancing Hormones With Yoga

September 26, 2009Katrina Ariel1 Comment

When you practice yoga in balance – in alignment, with awareness and mindfulness of breath – it all contributes to balancing hormones. Rather than breaking it down to specific poses in your mind (which could give the more limited idea that only those poses help), know that the whole practice of yoga creates more harmony.

Part of what makes yoga so healing is bringing more circulation to the body, which nourishes every system including the glands which produce hormones. Also, yoga can be enormously beneficial in lowering your stress levels. This alone supports harmonious hormones, as many of our hormones are designed to react to stress.

Knowing this, there are certain poses and groups of poses that can help you find balance.

Happiness In Times Of Turmoil

September 24, 2009Katrina Ariel1 Comment

Are things that bad?

Well, on one hand, yes. There are wars being fought, economies collapsing, governments totally dropping the ball, morally bankrupt corporations that have way too much power, and a very real need to nurture our environment.

On the other hand, there are more people at this time than ever before who are raising their awareness of how we’re all interconnected, and how important it is to act in accordance.

We’ve reached critical mass of positive people; people who are choosing to live in ways that reduce their harm to the earth and others. In fact, we’ve surpassed critical mass. We’re the new wave of global, multi-generational citizens who have decided it is time for change.

“So is it possible to be happy in these chaotic times?” Yes. Definitely.

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