Katrina Ariel – Page 27 – Yoga with Katrina Ariel

Confessions of a Yoga Teacher

September 5, 2009Katrina Ariel2 Comments

You know the feeling when someone listens to you – when they recognize how truly special you are and how much they can learn from what you have to say?

Well that’s what I want to do right now. But first, a confession. I’ll come right out and say it… I don’t know everything. In fact there’s a lot I don’t know.

It’s funny how life teaches you how to be humble, isn’t it? 10 years ago I wouldn’t have wanted to openly fess up that there are things of which I am ignorant. Ugh. That word itself still brings a conditioned response of dislike.

I think, for me anyway, the idea of ignorance brings up the feeling of vulnerability, which is another area in which I’ve come far. I used to recoil at the idea of showing vulnerability, but I have come to realize that every single human being feels vulnerable sometimes. It’s one of the things that brings us together – we share this common link of tender spots that don’t always show but are there to keep us humble and willing to reach out to one another.

Buddha’s Wisdom on the Yoga of Being Present

August 30, 2009Katrina Ariel

The Wisdom of Buddha

For the last year I’ve been traveling ~ body, mind and spirit ~ in many places and through multi-layered dimensions of life. This grand adventure to different continents and different ways of feeling consciousness has led me to really appreciate these words:

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”

— The Buddha

“Live in the present moment”

Sunset beauty in Nicaragua. So grateful.

This has changed everything. This practice of living in the present – appreciating what blessings and opportunities are held right now, on open palms of constant generosity – is the difference between peace of mind and emotional blindness. It is the secret to moving out of worry and into calm

Tantra: The Art of Living Fully

August 27, 2009Katrina Ariel2 Comments

Meditate On This:

Tantrikas dance with bliss

Living life fully,

Skillfully,

As profound play.

Even the low points

Of the WAVE of life

Are held by the ocean of grace.

Katrina Ariel

Pure Bliss

There are many paths to ecstasy, just as intimacy has many forms.

There are also limitless experiences of enlightenment.

Both ecstasy and enlightenment are experiences of divine bliss, and can be found and expressed uniquely by each individual. When your consciousness merges with the whole Om, the vast existence of energy that is all One, bliss happens.

Tantra is a form of yoga; an approach and perspective that weaves threads of truth together. Tantric philosophy takes things that work from other systems of belief and being, fits them together, then steps back and asks “How can we enhance this? How can we improve our approach and make life more beautiful?”

Yoga Therapy: Aligning for Freedom

August 23, 2009Katrina Ariel

What is your ideal picture of happiness?

When you think about the ‘perfect’ you, part of that image is a healthy body and peaceful mind. It is pretty tough to be completely happy when you hurt.

We all experience pain. It is the body’s way of letting us know something isn’t quite right, and would we please do something about it, thank you very much?

Many of us turn to yoga in order to work through physical challenges, find some semblance of mental clarity, and balance waves of emotion. When you break it right down, just the basic act of moving and breathing mindfully can make huge improvements.

Yet there is more to the therapeutic aspect of yoga than simply moving. As healing as yoga can be, it can also be dangerous when done misaligned.

When the body is in pain something is out of alignment. If tight muscles are pulling bones and joints out of their rightful place, circulation is impaired and all sorts of disagreeable things can happen. However, when you learn how to come into optimal alignment, joints move easily, fluids flow freely and healing occurs.

Studying With A Master

August 20, 2009Katrina Ariel

Have you felt profoundly deep gratitude in your heart while working with a truly inspired teacher?

We are all blessed with guides on this journey of life. Every so often we are invited to study with a master, and it doesn’t matter if they are well known or nameless; it is such an honor to learn from them.

I just completed a Yoga Therapy Training with my teacher, John Friend. His ability to heal, uplift, and impart his enormous skill is internationally celebrated. The waves of what he is giving the world are universally felt by every heart in the yoga community.

I have just posted an interview with John Friend that has many insightful teachings.

Want to Fly?

July 26, 2009Katrina Ariel

What is the ultimate expression of freedom for you? To me (and I know I’m not alone) freedom conjures up images of standing with my arms out, heart lifted and open, head back, smiling at the beauty of the world.

This gesture echos the open winged flight of birds. Flying seems to be the ultimate expression of freedom. Don’t you feel like you’re flying sometimes, when you’re riding the high points of the waves of life?

Today Everything Changes!

July 19, 2009Katrina Ariel

This is it! The moment you’ve been waiting for.

You have planted seeds of intention. You have nourished them with your practice, living your yoga. You have worked with the secret ingredients of Gratitude and Trust in the wisdom of the universe. You have cultivated your awareness.

Now is the time of change. Now is the experience of fullness. Now is the time of manifestation.

Read More “Today Everything Changes!”

The Vibration of Healing

July 19, 2009Katrina Ariel2 Comments

It’s amazing how many layers there are to life. Yoga helps us become more attuned to the subtle levels, even as we work with the physical.

In asana, if you move from the subtle – from the breath, your ability to create harmony in your practice is so much clearer. In contrast, if you forget about the fullness of who you are and just focus on the physical, the practice tends to harden and freedom is more elusive.

Your body is one of your greatest teachers.

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Feel Younger with Childlike Wonder

July 18, 2009Katrina Ariel

I’d like to share a little story with you.

Last year I took a training with John Friend in Sarasota, Florida. One of the days I spent my lunch break swimming in the calm, clear, lusciously blue Atlantic Ocean. It was one of those picture perfect, blue sky experiences that make you so grateful to be alive.

While I played in the push and pull of the gentle waves, marveling at the expanse of ocean and the spaciousness of sky, a pelican glided down to rest on the water not far from me. I don’t know if you’ve seen a pelican fly before, but they are so totally graceful in the air with their wide wingspan. This pelican and I shared long minutes regarding each other before it took to the sky again.

When I returned to the afternoon session of the training I was beaming. I felt so energized, and so excited to be alive.

The Diamond Center of Self

July 18, 2009Katrina Ariel

Have you felt your emotions and energy shift because of the vibes others are putting out? Sometimes this is uplifting, such as when you ride upon the excitement or happiness of another. Sometimes, however, it can be a struggle to not be brought down by a person who isn’t feeling their best.

What generally happens when we need to protect ourselves is we harden on the outside. We get defensive and tighten up. This outer tension can cause physical and emotional discomfort, and, more often than not, it is accompanied by less than optimal posture. When we contract like this, it is very difficult to stay centered, and we are less likely to be of service to others. Also, in this contracted state, we loose the expansive perspective that allows us to see what is really going on.

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