#dropsofyogicwisdom

[luanafarayoga]

Everything is in a constant transformation! When we embrace the changes in life transformation becomes a harmonic dance that flows naturally, but when we resist and fight against the organic course of life, everything become chaos, we fight and get exhausted. In the practice of Asana, energy behaves the same. Our breath is the natural course, is the organic pace of movement, and the body is transforming from one posture to the other. When we allow our body to follow our breath and synchronize with it, we end up dancing at the rhythm of the Prana moving through our body. But when we hold the breath and fight against it, when we change our focus to achieving results instead of being present in the gentle flow of the practice, then the practice becomes painful. Vinyasa is that perfectly danced duo between the breath and the movement that connects one asana with another. In Ashtanga, it is through each Vinyasa that we experience the Amrita or nectar of the practice. #vinyasa #yogapractice #synchronizedbreathing #breathandmovement #asana #breath #dropsofyogicwisdom #yogaisequanimity #luanafarayoga (at Balance Yoga Studio)

[luanafarayoga]

Breathing is one of the most important but underestimated aspects of wellbeing, and also of yoga practice. We live in a such accelerated life that we fail to taken for granted a tool that is so accessible and instead we spend time and resources in repairing the effects of not having a balanced lifestyle. The foundation of breathing is in the diaphragm. The movement of the diaphragm is involuntary, but through the practice of yoga we take control of some of the involuntary movements of the body and make them voluntary, like the breath. The diaphragm is a thin muscle that separates the lungs from the abdominal organs and one of the places to which this muscle is attached, is to the spine, the main channel of our nervous system. The deep movement of the diaphragm activates our parasympathetic nervous system which slows down the acceleration of the our entire body. But when the diaphragm movement is constricted, it triggers the sympathetic nervous system which keeps the body on a constant state of emergency, exhausting our adrenal glands and as a consequence our immune system. Breathing correctly can actually improve our health more than what we really understand, but it requires discipline and consistency. The physical effects of the breathing in the body is just one part of the practice of Pranayama, that we, in the western world, care a lot about. But the main purpose of Pranayamas as per Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras and also as per Hatha Yoga Pradipika, is 1. To create a steady mind which is prepared for concentration (Dharana) and 2. To move the energy of life or Prana in the body removing places of energetic density (blocks in the nadis). In order to create a proper movement of energy, a comfortable and steady posture must be in place so the energy flows freely. This is why we practice asana. #pranayama #breathing #prana #ashtangayoga #eightlimbsofyoga #yogasutrasofpatanjali #yogasutras #yogaphilosophy #dropsofyogicwisdom (at Balance Yoga Studio)

[luanafarayoga]

Ashtanga is a Sanskrit word that means "eight limbs": "ashtau" means eight, "Anga" means limb. 🌳 Sometimes it is translated as the eighth steps of yoga, but personally I rather to say it is about limbs. When we talk about steps, our mind focuses on arriving somewhere, on achieving something, the duality appears inevitably up to this concept. However, if we understand it as a whole system, like a tree, where all of its limbs are part of its wholeness, and are connected between each other, then everything becomes about the tree and not about how tall it can be, everything becomes about the integration of all of its parts and not about reaching something that seems to be the highest fruit. Translated into the Ashtanga Yoga Philosophy, this means that even when it seems that we are practicing only one limb (Asana for example), we are actually practicing all of them, or at least the first six limbs, which are actual practices. And through this whole practice is that we experience the state of Dhyana or becoming one with the observer, and Samadhi, the absolute union with the divine within. There's nothing to be achieved, everything is about the practice. The practice itself is the fruit: The practice of Kindness through every limb of this tree. #ashtangayoga #yogasutras #yogasutrasofpatanjali #eightlimbsofyoga #dropsofyogicwisdom #yogaisequanimity #luanafarayoga

[luanafarayoga]

Asana, is the third of the eight limbs of Yoga. The word “Asana”, from the root “as”, means “to sit”. In Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, Asana is mentioned twice, and only one Sutra that says something about it: “The posture should be steady and comfortable” (2.46: Sthira Sukham Asanam). So now we know that Asana means to sit steady and comfortable. Steady means there is stability and stillness (no-movement), physically and mentally. Comfortable means that it is easy, it doesn’t require effort. BKS Iyengar said about it: “Perfection in an asana is achieved when the effort to perform it becomes effortless and the infinite being within is reached”. The practice of Asana is intended to create space in our bodies and minds. The reason why Asana is part of the path of Yoga is to make the body healthy: physically, mentally and energetically, inside and outside, because it is only with a healthy body, spine, and inner organs, that the practitioner can learn to use the breath to move the Prana. Asana purifies the body from old habits, so the energy of the spine can move freely. And that is the preparation we need to be able to sit quietly for a long time with a focused mind, or in other words, to meditate. I reflect in these words and I realize how far from the practice of yoga we have moved. I understand we need to start with the body because of our mindsets, but we identify with it, we attach to it or we compete through it, we measure ourselves or others through it. Yoga is not about fame, our egos are. Yoga is not about being proud but about being humble. Yoga is not about being distracted from our problems but about facing them. Asana brings quietness to my mind and to my body, releases me from physical and emotional pain and equalizes my whole energy. Sometimes my practice is more about self-satisfaction, but when this happens I know I have been practicing more with my ego than with my heart. Asana is my medicine, my mirror and my expression. And everyday I remind myself that this practice is about becoming aware, so we can be free from the patterns of our mind, so we can share our light with others through kindness and love. #dropsofyogicwisdom (at Balance Yoga Studio)

[luanafarayoga]

Have you noticed that when you have a pain in the body but you are busy doing something that distracts you, you end up forgetting about the pain so you don't feel it? The pain actually disappears when your mind is focused on something else. But when you suddenly remember the pain, then it instantly re-appears! Our minds are powerful! We literally create our reality with our minds! That on which our mind is focused gets heavier and expands, becomes more important than anything else, and everything else in which our mind is not focused disappears. Our senses follow our mind. Wherever our mind goes, our senses follow. If there is a mosquito bite in your arm and you think about it, it itches. If there is a sound outside that you have not noticed and someone tells you about it, you immediately hear it because your mind turns into it. But maybe before noticing it you were so concentrated on a conversation that nothing else outside was perceived. Prathyahara is the fifth limb of yoga. It is the withdrawal of the senses, which helps the mind to be focused. For this purpose we practice asana (yoga postures) and pranayamas (regulation of the breath), because on a peaceful breath and a comfortable and steady posture our mind can be still and not distracted by the outside. When there is no reaction on the mind, the senses are not driven away, and the stillness can be in place. The best moment for practicing Prathyahara is when we are in Savasana. It is through the practice of Prathyahara that we access the last 3 limbs of Yoga called Samyama: Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. If you want to explore a little more about those 3 limbs check my profile and look for the philosophy posts called: #dropsofyogicwisdom #prathyahara #withdrawalofthesenses #ashtanga #8limbsofyoga #yogasutrasofpatanjali #yogaphilosophy

[luanafarayoga]

There is a great article from Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Brussels that explains clearly and beautifully the method of Tristana in the practice of Ashtanga. In that article it is explained that Tristana is achieved when we synchronize the movement with the breath, allowing the energy to flow without effort and bringing the attention from outside to inside through the concentration on the Drishti. The three elements that need to be controlled for this purpose are: the Ujjayi Pranayama, Moola Bandha and Drishti. Ujjayi Pranayama keeps the fire inside and knits one posture to the other. Moola Bandha keeps the postures alive and without effort and ensures that the Ujjayi is practiced correctly by creating the right flow of energy and the Drishti keeps our focus inside, avoiding distractions of the mind through the senses. Our breath becomes the music, the air and the body become one. Our mind is fully present in the practice. When I find myself breathing fast and struggling I know that one or more of these elements have probably been lost. So I bring myself back to them. When I find myself fighting with a posture, I know there is no flow of Prana anymore, I know my mind has shifted to an achieving mode so I have to reset myself and feel grateful for it, because those moments are my teachers too, they are reminding me of the things in life that I have not been able to let go! #tristhana #tristana #ashtanga #ashtangayoga #vinyasa #moolabandha #ujjayi #drishti #yogapractice #yogaisequanimity #dropsofyogicwisdom #luanafarayoga (at Balance Yoga Studio)

[luanafarayoga]

I don't like restrictions! Who does? I am usually the type of person that wants to do exactly that which is not allowed of me... and many of us are like this! From my perspective the word "self-restrictions" itself, creates a lot of limitations and resistance, but I think this is just because what this word means in our minds. The Yamas and Niyamas, at least from my perspective and experience, are only recommendations or guidelines, but they are not a recipe, a system to be followed exactly the same for everybody. For me, this code of behavior is personal to each individual, because each of us are a different experience and reflection of the universe. As Krishnamurti said: the truth can only be found inside of each individual and not in any book, sacred text or system. So the Yamas are the first of eight limbs of Yoga, which consists of 5 guidelines or principles recommended to be implemented or experienced by the Yoga practitioner in order to live a more harmonious relationship with the outer world: 1. To learn what is kindness and how each of us can experience it (Ahimsa: non violence). 2. To learn what is truthfulness, what is our truth and how to express it, how to be responsible for it (Satya: truthfulness). 3. To learn how to respect the individual limits of others (Asteya: not steal). 4. To learn what is moderation for us and how does it feel to live from that state in all areas of our life (Brahmacharya: moderation). 5. To learn to find inside of us what is the difference between need and desires and luxury, so we can decide what is enough for us, or why we want more, and how this affects the people and circumstances that surround us (Aparigraha: to not accumulate). This code is not a recipe, it’s a guideline, which shows us a way to look inside and recognize ourselves outside, but the knowledge on how to apply each of this principles to our own lives is inside of each of us. #yamas #ashtangayoga #eightlimbsofyoga #yogasutras #yogaphilosophy #dropsofyogicwisdom #yogaisequanimity (at Balance Yoga Studio)

[luanafarayoga]

The last weeks of my life have been challenging. I have been dealing with a health situation of which I will be writing later this year. The fact of being a yoga practitioner and a health coach made me realize how much the lifestyle we live nowadays is so counterproductive to our body’s and mind’s health. I already knew this, but now it has became so much more clear than ever. In addition to this health situation I completely changed my life when moving to New Jersey and adapting to a new culture, circumstances, rhythms and habits, it has not been easy. I am blessed that I have had the support of loving people during this process, especially, the support of my lover and partner, Brian. During all this time I feel I have been distant from what I consider to be my yoga practice (not even talking about asana), and I can see how important it is to cultivate this practice especially during the hardest circumstances. Yoga philosophy invites us to practice the Niyamas as a way to train our mind and body, to cultivate the peace inside and outside. Without the Yamas and Niyamas the practitioner will be lead to ignorance, suffering and misery. The 8 limb path of yoga recommends we cultivate a harmonious relationship with ourselves through the 5 self-observances or Niyamas, that consist of a self training to learn to transcend our mind patterns and be at peace with our inner world. Those observances are: 1.Cleanliness of body, speech and mind. 2. Cultivation of an attitude of contentment in any circumstance. 3. Training of the senses and austerity. 4. Self study and reflection on sacred words. 5. Surrender to the infinite oneness within each of us. It is easy to maintain this self training when in an easy environment, it is easy to find peace inside when the outside is quiet. But the real challenge is to keep ourselves in a state of balance and awareness when the circumstances gets rough. #niyamas #selfobservances #seftraining #ashtangayoga #eightlimbsofyoga #yogaphilosophy #yogasutras #yogasutrasofpatanjali #dropsofyogicwisdom