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Welcome to Musélan's Yoga Teacher Blog.  We use this blog to share wisdom (and our challenges) with our teacher trainees and for our trainees to leave their thoughts.  Join us!  Leave wisdom, questions, issues and your own challenges. 

An Inspiring Message for Teachers

Yama: Aparigraha

Aparigraha
Awareness of abundance

An awareness of abundance (or lack thereof) affects our energy and how we relate to the world around us.  Where in your life do you know you need to create more awareness of abundance?  How will it feel when you have the abundance?

 

 

Your Home Yoga Practice

So, let's talk Personal Yoga Practice.  What got you started with your own practice in the first place?  What inspires your personal Yoga Practice?  What do you struggle with?  Finding time?  Knowing what to do?  Or is it something you look forward to each day?

What Have You Noticed with Your Breathing?

 "For breath is life, and if you breathe well you will live long on earth". 

~Sanskrit Proverb

This week's contemplation is a reflection after The Breathing Workshop.  What have you noticed about your breathing?  What has come up?  What have you learned?  For those of you who have not done The Breathing Workshop, what have you noticed about your breath as a result of doing yoga?

Why do You Practice Yoga?

So, why do you practice yoga?  What inspires you to return to your yoga mat, day after day?  Reflect on your reasons. 

Niyama: Tapas

In her book, The Secret Power of Yoga, Nischala Joy Devi, states that Tapas is defined as service, physical purity, living in virtue, moderation and reverence for all.   As we practice Tapas, we see it in our physical practice.   The main benefit is in embracing the spiritual as we do our physical practice.  Then we weave together the mind/body connection.  How do you feel you embrace the spiritual as you practice?  What other ways throughout your day do you feel you embrace the spiritual?

An Aries man finds his inner fire (aka Fire Genie)
Originally uploaded by Jonathon Brown

Niyama: Santosha

In her book, The Secret Power of Yoga, Nischala says about Santosha: "When at peace and content with oneself and others (Santosha), supreme joy is celebrated."  How do you remain centered in the midst of challenging events?  What undermines your contentment within you life?  "Things"? Relationships?  Events?  Knowing that which we need will be provided is comforting, how do you embrace the belief that what you need is what you have?  Offering Gratitude is a beautiful way to encourage contentment and supreme joy.

 

Niyama: Saucha

Our first Niyama, Saucha (purity) was described by Nischala Joy Devi in her book, The Secret Power of Yoga, as simplicity and continual refinement, the body, thoughts and emotions become clear reflections of the Self within. 

Using purity in everyday involves weeding through our many sprouts of activity, thoughts, physical issues to bring ourselves to our center.  As we bring balance into our life and "simplify" what we bring and do, we then foster our healthy development.  Our minds become clearer and our thoughts flow more easily.   

Think of one thing that you have refined or simplified you your own life.  What have you noticed has changed for yourself? 

Flower / Rose Flower / Macro Flower / White Rose Flower / high key / close up rose / closeup / - IMG_9865 -
Originally uploaded by Bahman Farzad

Yamas: Brahmacharya

Devoted to living a balanced and moderate life (Brahmacharya)
the scope of one's life becomes boundless.
~ Sutra 2.38

We have areas of our life where we are at various times in extremes either not enough of something or too much of something.  Your extreme can be reflected in how you use your time, addictions, food, sleep etc.  What area of your life do you feel out of balance?  Do have too little or too much of it?  Pick one area that you can  focus on and bring moderation to it.  As you do this, notice the change it brings to your practice and your life off the mat.  Life's pursuits become joyful and bountiful! 

focus
Originally uploaded by .dzika.

Yama: Asteya

 

 

"Abiding in Generosity and honesty(Asteya), material and spiritual prosperity is bestowed."

Nischala Joy Devi

I love how Nischala discusses Asteya, instead of focusing on non-stealing she focuses on generosity and abundance.  As we nurture ourselves in yoga we have more abundance in our own life and are able to be more generous with ourselves and others.  What areas do you feel the most abundance in and which ones do you not?  It can be anything........

Generosity
Originally uploaded by .Lilstar