Author: Katrina Ariel

Freshness and Renewal

Katrina Ariel

As you read this, I invite you to sit up tall and take a deep breath.

And then, another deep breath. Feel your perspective expand, and your body come alive!

Because your breath carries prana, the vital essence of life, and because it also brings fresh nutrients in and carries stale air and toxins out, these deep breaths not only feel good, but are incredibly healing.

Which is part of the reason yoga is so deliciously wonderful!

We all want to be healthy and feel good. For me, yoga is the most powerful method to do so.

(Photo by Nat Anfield)

When you come to your yoga mat, you take time for yourself.

You enter into a practice that detoxifies and melts away stress, while renewing the health of your entire body on a cellular level.

And you not only renew your physical body as you practice, but yoga goes further and helps you renew your outlook on life so that you can flow with the changes and feel energized and alive!

Each breath is an invitation to renew yourself.
In each moment you can find a fresh view of life!

To me, every yoga practice is playful and restful, challenging and nurturing. These elements show up in different ways depending on what is most appropriate for you.

Yoga invites you to empower yourself with strength and surrender, guided by each inhale and exhale. Every time you practice you are providing yourself with a deeply satisfying experience.

May it bring a fresh perspective to your thoughts, a rejuvenated feel to your body, and a sense of clarity and well-being to every aspect of your life.

See you in class!

Yoga and the Liberating Force of Nature

Katrina Ariel

“May the force be with you.”

I always wanted to be Princess Leia when I was little.

Her character is courageous, strong, beautiful, capable, and totally dedicated to saving the universe from evil forces. I was very drawn to the idea of fearlessly living a life devoted to saving the world. I also was intrigued by the idea of a mysterious force that provided powers to those trained in its ways.

In yoga, there are stories of superpowers attained by master yogis. And yet, I don’t think you need to master yoga to benefit from its gifts.

Simply being able to create inner peace, find freedom in your body and mind, be in the moment, and remember to take a deep breath when life is challenging are superpowers as far as I’m concerned.

But there is a mysterious energy that yoga helps us discover. It has always been there, but we sometimes forget to notice it until yoga or nature or something else calls us to wake up and be present.

You can call it “The Force” or “The Universe” or “God” or “Source Energy” or whatever you like. You might feel it in meditation or in the space between your breath. It might be strong when you’re in a particularly challenging pose, or when you simply take time to pause and feel.

For me, one of the most powerful ways I tap into this energy that weaves all of life together is when I am in nature.

I love looking at the beauty of nature upside down!

I just returned from a trip to the Kootenay Mountain region of my home province, British Columbia. It was beautiful, breathtaking, inspiring, and such a welcome opportunity to simplify life by being in the moment.

When I am in nature, I come home to myself.

The trees remind me to be still and breathe.

The lakes and creeks and rivers remind me to flow and that the depth of my potential is limitless.

The sky reminds me that the truth of who I am is vast, and to simply be open to what is.

The birds and chipmunks remind me to laugh.

The earth reminds me to be.

Even in the city, nature calls to us. The sky is still there. The flowers and trees just waiting for you to notice them and listen to their wisdom.

The Force, the energy that is life, makes anything possible. Tapping into it and being with it in everyday life is what yoga is all about.

When you’re on your mat, you get to cultivate courage and strength, beauty and peace. When you find the flow of your breath, you connect with the source of superpowers.

This is so liberating! And I am so glad to share it with you.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

~ Albert Einstein

 

“I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.”

~ e. e. cummings

Finding Sanctuary in Tough Times

Katrina Ariel

Wow has life ever been challenging lately!

That’s not to say there hasn’t been fun and beauty and love, because there has. Lots of it. But somehow there is also so much pressure and difficulty and confusion and tragedy and injustice that it can be rather discouraging.

What I’m trying to say is that, if you’re going through tough times right now, you’re not alone.

Yoga gives you a way to create inner sanctuary–a safe haven that cradles you and gives you strength when you need it most.

When you get on your mat and move and breathe, it clears out stuck energy and offers you a different perspective. It reminds you that nothing is permanent and that “This too shall pass.”

I’ll be honest and say that sometimes I don’t know how I can show up and teach yoga when I’m dealing with my own stuff. And yet, every time I start class I am able to get out of my own way and let source flow through. It’s amazing, and I’m grateful to do this work and offer what I can to you.

The wisdom that I bring to class is what I’m working with in my own life. And it’s astounding how frequently I’m told by students that it’s exactly what they needed that day.

This is our practice: riding the waves of life with as much kindness and gentleness and skill and strength as possible; supporting each other directly and also by creating an inner sanctuary that radiates peace; connecting to our highest selves…

Because the work you do on yourself directly affects the world around you.

It’s very helpful to do this in community, so thank you for contributing by coming to class and/or showing up to be present with those around you. We really need each other right now–not to be anything dictated or expected, but just to be who we are in each moment, real and raw and with respect.

My Birthday and Thoughts about the Grand Game of Life

Katrina Ariel
Me and Casey at Earthdance a while back. Remembering to just enjoy BEing in the Grand Game.

Tomorrow is my birthday, which generally makes me take a deep breath, check in, review, and ponder. Today I offer you some contemplations that have come up for me lately:

I’ve often thought of life as a grand game. It helps me keep things in perspective.

We’re here to learn, to play, to experience, to adventure, to trip up and fall down and make mistakes and try again. There’s no judgement other than that which we create ourselves. There are as many turns as we want to take, and we can play the game however we choose. For the most part, we get to make up the rules as we go along.

The big picture, to me, means remembering that I am a spiritual being having a human experience. I am more than who I often think I am.

And my sole responsibility is to be who I am. Not who anyone else thinks I should be, not who I tell myself I “should” be, but to just unfold naturally into the fullness of who I am and creatively express myself accordingly.

When I remind myself of this, I have more patience, more forgiveness, and worry less about the games within the game of life.

The grand game encompasses many smaller ones: there’s the money scheme, the social ladder, the collector’s connundrum, and the workaholic’s world. There’s nothing wrong with money, social structure, consumerism and work per-se, but we can get so caught up in them that we forget there is a bigger game being played. We lose sight of the fact that we’re here to BE who we are.

There’s a lot to be said about the importance of being able balance work and play. Too often it’s far more work than play. And there is a great need for all of us to take some time to simply relax!

Sometimes we need to place less importance on DOING, and just practice BEING.

In the last little while I’ve basically ignored my to-do list and let myself simply be. It’s been amazing, though sometimes I still feel overwhelmed with pressure to be productive because there is so much to do! I’m really working on allowing myself to BE more and DO less.

Tonight I’m leaving for a short journey for my birthday. I’ll be out in nature with a dear friend, doing the presonal work that helps me reveal to myself more of who I truly am. Connecting with my pure being.

No matter where you are in the cycle of your own life, it is always a worthwhile consideration to check in, breathe, feel, and connect with the part of yourself who knows that life is a grand game. May your path be blessed!

Brand Spankin’ New: Yoga for Dragon Riders Website!

Katrina Ariel

Well, wow!

The new Yoga for Dragon Riders website is up, and I’m pretty excited about this.

Why?

Because:

1) it looks awesome,

2) it’s got free stuff, and

3) I’ll have a whole 15 video Dragon Rider Series coming soon that goes with the book!

Okay, maybe I’m more stoked about this than you. But here’s why you’ll like it:

There’s two free yoga videos there for you.

Yep. Right now. Waiting for you to access them anytime you want. They’re full length classes (75 minutes) featuring my amazing local students who are all ages, abilities, shapes and sizes. This is awesome because it helps you remember to honor yourself and work at your own level.

One class is a playful and strong “Align and Flow” practice, and the other class is a gentle “Deep Healing” yoga practice including restorative poses. The two balance very well. Yang and Yin, if you will.

You’ll also get access to the first two chapters of the book for free. If you want to preview the book in more detail, you can look inside the whole thing on Amazon: Yoga for Dragon Riders the book.

If you haven’t seen the book yet, be sure to check it out. Though the title may be a bit of a surprise for a yoga book, it is a wonderfully comprehensive guide to yoga.

And the Dragon Rider theme makes it a joy to read! If you’ve ever wanted to delve deeper into your practice, this is a beautiful way to do so.

So…

What are you waiting for? Head on over and get access to your videos. 🙂

Click here to see the brand spankin’ new Yoga for Dragon Riders website, check out the book, and get awesome free stuff.

Oh yes, one more bonus is this: not only does this free stuff not clutter up your house, but it offers you a way to clean house… Move, breathe, flow, strengthen, surrender, and feel alive!

Good stuff, I tell ya.

 

Yoga Radio: Cultivating Creativity with Susanna Harwood Rubin

Katrina Ariel

In this episode of Yoga Radio with Katrina Ariel:

Creativity is an essential and natural part of being human, yet for many people it is something that has been repressed or pushed aside. For others, art in any form, including writing, is an aspect of life that evokes passion and helps them process change.

This conversation with Susanna Harwood Rubin is touching, full of beauty, and addresses how each of us can bridge the world of yoga with creativity. Indeed, yoga is an invitation to creative expression.

In one of my favorite parts of the interview Susanna describes traveling to India with her teacher, Douglas Brooks. There is much to learn here, and many places to find delight!

Click below to listen to the show. Feel free to share! 😉

Yoga Radio: Cultivating Creativity with Susanna Harwood Rubin
Recorded on April 17, 2012.

Guest Bio:

As a visual artist, writer, and recently resigned Certified Anusara Yoga teacher, Susanna infuses her classes with creativity, interweaving myth, poetry and philosophy to offer students an experience of intensity and grace. She has spent the past decade studying Rajanaka Tantra with Dr. Douglas Brooks, traveling regularly with him to South India. She is based at NYC’s Virayoga and is a founding member of Yoga Coalition.

Susanna has exhibited internationally, and spent years lecturing and writing for MoMA, including co-authoring “Looking at Matisse and Picasso.” She now takes delight in distilling complex yogic concepts into clear and vivid language so that her students can readily access their inner beauty. She writes for Elephant Journal, Origin Magazine, Social Workout, and teaches Writing Your Practice through the Yoga Teacher Telesummit. She has been profiled by FIT YOGA magazine, YogaSleuth, YogaCityNYC, and is 1 of 100 “inspirational women leaders” featured on ClaudiaChan.com.

Check out this blog to find out more about Susanna Harwood Rubin and her upcoming retreat.

I also highly encourage you to watch the video here of Susanna introducing her Telesummit class, Writing Your Practice.

This is my artistic offering to you and your yoga practice: Yoga for Dragon Riders. It truly is a call to creatively BE who you are. Click to visit the website, learn more about the book, download the first 2 chapters and get free yoga videos. 🙂

Yoga Radio: Navigating the Cycles of Change with Sianna Sherman

Katrina Ariel

In this episode of Yoga Radio with Katrina Ariel:

Do you see the cycles of life as they flow around you and within you? Do you find yourself in awe of the blossoming of Spring, glory of Summer, beautiful transition of Autumn, and quiet of Winter? Do you become fearful when you see things break down and die, or do you see how this gives way to new beginnings?

Recognizing and working with these ever flowing cycles are the key to understanding life and thriving! Yoga, as well as the archetypes of Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali, have much to teach us about the cyclical nature of life. Enjoy this magnificent show which is an exploration into these cycles with one of the world’s top yoga instructors, Sianna Sherman.

Click below to listen to the show. Feel free to share! 😉

Navigating the Cycles of Change with Sianna Sherman.
Recorded LIVE on April 26, 2012.

Guest Bio:

Sianna Sherman is an internationally recognized Anusara® yoga teacher who delights in sharing her teachings with poetry, stories and expressive insight. Sianna teaches at festivals and holds workshops and retreats around the world. She is a regular contributor to YogaGlo online yoga, Origin Magazine, Yoga Journal, the Poetry of Yoga Project and other multimedia expressions, and wishes to serve students with accessible information that helps them in the true transformation of their lives.

Be sure to check out Sianna’s remarkable new DVD, Pranam.

You can find out more about Sianna and her offerings at opentograce.com

Here is the meditation at the end of this Yoga Radio show:

Read More “Yoga Radio: Navigating the Cycles of Change with Sianna Sherman”

Yoga Radio: Yoga for Kids of All Ages

Katrina Ariel

In this episode of Yoga Radio with Katrina Ariel:

Photo from www.GoGrounded.com

Do you have little ones, or children of any age?

Growing up has its challenges, including wild hormones and emotions, pressure from school and social circles, and physical changes.

Kids of all ages are finding yoga to be immensely helpful. In fact, there are studies with children who have been labeled ADHD showing that yoga improves their ability to focus and harness their own emotions in positive ways, and helps them perform better in school.

In this show I’ll be speaking with author Maryellen Murphy Ruggiero, author of The Little Lotus Learns About Wellness, and Grounded Yoga teacher and co-founder Cheryl Crawford. Listen in and learn how yoga can be an empowering practice for all ages!

Click below to listen to the show. Feel free to share. 😉

Yoga Radio: Yoga for Kids of All Ages!
Recorded LIVE on April 19, 2012

Guest Bios:

Maryellen Murphy Ruggiero

Maryellen Murphy Ruggiero is the author and illustrator of The Little Lotus Learns About Wellness. She received her B.A. in Wellness and the Healing Arts from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is passionate about yoga, the arts and the benefits of a holistic lifestyle.

She currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband, son, and the family dog, Lola.

A portion of all proceeds from The Little Lotus Learns About Wellness will be donated to TargetCancer, which funds research into rare and lesser known cancers.

Click to learn more about Maryellen and The Little Lotus Learns About Wellness book at www.HipHealthyAndHolistic.com.

 

Cheryl Crawford

Cheryl Crawford, mother of triplets and Certified Yoga Teacher, is the co-grounder of Grounded Yoga. She’s been teaching her whole life. First to her stuffed animals and to her younger brother (when he sat still) and then in later years to the children of Atlanta in Fulton County Public Schools where she worked as an Elementary School Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator.

Cheryl began her yoga journey soon after her three daughters were born, and as her practice evolved, it became clear to her that she had to blend and balance her new dedication to yoga with her lifelong passion for teaching. She is committed to sharing her experience of artfully finding the balance between serious alignment and playful expansion. Cheryl listens to the wisdom of the children and teaches from her highest self.

Learn more about Cheryl and Grounded Yoga at www.GoGrounded.com.

 

Delight the child within and take an adventure in Yoga for Dragon Riders. Click here to explore the website where you can download the first 2 chapters of my book, and get 2 free yoga practice videos. 🙂

Yoga Radio: Change the World by Challenging Yourself

Katrina Ariel

In this episode of Yoga Radio with Katrina Ariel:

Do you want to change the world?

What about your own lifestyle? Is there something about yourself that you’d like to improve? A skill you’d like to learn or hone, a physical or financial change you’d like to make, or an attitude improvement that has been a long time coming?

Change is inevitable, so you may as well choose changes that help you get where you want to go.

Often, challenging yourself to commit to a specific goal for a specific amount of time is the best approach to making real change. The classic quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” rings true every time.

This episode of Yoga Radio will help you get focused, call on your emotions to support your personal growth, and give specific tips to get where you want to go.

Just like practicing yoga every day helps support health and happiness, you can apply that consistency to everything else in life. Tune in this week and find out ways you can get clear and take actions to make the changes you want in yourself, and also contribute to making the world a better place.

Click below to listen to the show. Feel free to share! 😉

Yoga Radio: Change the World by Challenging Yourself
Recorded LIVE on April 12, 2012.

You might also like these blog posts:

How to Get Focused and Stay Focused

Change the World, Change Yourself . . . And Be Generous While You’re At It.

If you like an adventure, check out my Yoga for Dragon Riders website where you can read the first 2 chapters of my book, and get 2 free yoga videos. 🙂

Change the World, Change Yourself… And Be Generous While You’re at it…

Katrina Ariel

This video, and the following quote which is now legendary, have so much to teach us.

Please watch, read, ponder. And then see what it makes you consider changing about yourself and the way you look and act in the world around you.

Video from KarmaTube

Amazing isn’t it?

And, one of my all-time favourite quotes:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

—Marianne Williamson

You don’t have to be Gandhi or Mother Theresa to change the world. All you need to be is YOU. Fully, completely, from the heart.

If each of us choose, sincerely and wholly, to shift the paradigm of “what’s in it for me?” to “what can I contribute, what can I give?” everything will change. And it will be beautiful!

The amazing thing? It’s already happening. 🙂