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Backbends help counteract the damage of bad posture by bending the spine in a direction it isn’t used to. They help to realign our vertebrae while at the same time stimulating the sympathetic nervous system. They open the chest, lengthen the spine and strengthen the upper back, all of which make our posture more straight.⁣ ⁣ Think of all the times you spend bending forward in a day. Whether you’re driving, eating at a table, typing at a computer, cleaning, or gardening, it is likely that you are spending a majority of your day in an unsupported forward bend. And for this reason, you need to practice backbends every day.⁣ ⁣ Too much forward bending, and as a result, poor posture, can lead to:⁣ • Back and neck pain⁣ • Restricted blood-flow to vital organs and glands (preventing them from working as they should)⁣ • Negative effects on self-esteem and mood⁣ ⁣ What most people fail to recognize is that our backs are meant to move in all directions – forward and back. Back-bending is actually a natural range of motion for the spine – take a look at children or monkeys, for instance. They have the ability to move their spine in more ways than you could imagine! Fluid and without restriction.⁣ ⁣ The posterior part of your spinal column is compressed as you bend backwards, which helps push the disks in your vertebrae away from the spinal nerves, and decompresses the front of the vertebrae. As a result, the damage from forwarding bending (over time) can be reversed.⁣

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The story of Hanuman is the story of ourselves

The word Bhakti means devotion. It is the path of the heart. Svaha Yoga is actually a really ‘Bhaktified’ yoga community I would say. Practises that are part of the Bhakti path are; chanting kirtan and puja (offering) but we can also express Bhakti in dynamic practical ways such as showing kindness to others, caring for the environment and its inhabitants. By caring and trying to see all as sacred we empty ourselves of judgement and meet all as no different, no less, no more than ourselves. 

The monkey-god Hanuman is known as “the Greatest Bhakta’’.  Hanuman teaches us about the transformative power of love. When we love others, we step outside of our isolated selves and into a deeper relationship with those around us. As we love – we discover a part in ourselves that is connected, courageous, and capable of far more than we ever thought possible. So therefore Hanuman is also associated of power and courage. 

Hanuman is not a monkey for nothing. The monkey is a symbol for the ‘monkey mind’: The mind that is restless and uncontrollable. But through training, the mind can be tamed. Through spiritual practise and effort - We align thoughts, words and actions with a higher purpose. We become more attracted to the idea of contributing to the welfare of others and living a life of  kindness and service on our own path to freedom.  

The mind that worries, stresses and thinks in loops takes up a lot of our energy. It’s just constantly distracted, going here and there. Our collective addiction to our mobile phones can be seen as an extension of that distracted mind. Have you ever felt depleted after a day off physically not doing anything? It’s that mental depletion lots of us are familiar with. There is a saying: ‘’Where  attention goes energy flows’’. So when all attention goes to those worries and thoughts, it takes up so much energy. By quieting and steadying the mind through the practise of Yoga, we can start to actually feel and sense the body. Energy can start to move through the whole system, to nourish and heal the body. That is the first shift that can be felt through the practise of Yoga: a sense of quietness in the mind and health in the body. When this energy is freed up and the body returns back to its natural state of health and balance, this movement of energy can even take us back to its’ original source and we can rest in deeper states of stillness.

Hanuman is one of the greatest heroes in yogic mythology and you can read about him in the Ramayana. The Ramayana can be red through many lenses. You might read it as a beautiful story or as an inspiration in terms of virtue and good conduct. But, same with the Bible or the Koran or other holy scriptures, we can also read it through a different lens. We can read it as a mirror of our psychological and spiritual development. For me, then all a sudden it becomes a living truth that I can sense in my own system, my own body, happening right now at this very moment. So here it comes:

‘Ra’ means light, ‘Ma’ means within me, in my heart. So, Rama means the light within me. Rama was born to Dasharath & Kousalya. Dasharath means the ‘Ten Chariots’. The ‘Ten Chariots’ symbolize the five senses (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling) & five organs of action (hands, feet, speech, excretory and reproductive organs). Kousalya means ‘Skill’. So, the skillfull rider of the ten chariots can give birth to Ram. Or, when my senses are controlled and my actions purified, radiance is born within me. Rama was born in Ayodhya. Ayodhya means ‘a place where no war can happen’. When there is no conflict in my mind, then radiance can down. 

And let’s go on a little bit more: The soul is Rama, The mind is Sita, The breath or life-force (Prana) is Hanuman, the awareness is Laxman (the brother of Ram) and the ego is Ravana (the demon king that abducts Sita). Now here it comes: When my mind (Sita),is stolen by my ego (Ravana), then the soul (Rama) gets restless and longs for union with my mind and my mind longs for union with the soul. Now the soul (Rama) cannot reach my mind (Sita) on its own. It has to take the help of the breath — Prana (Hanuman). With the help of the breath (Hanuman) & awareness (Laxman), my mind (Sita) gets reunited with the soul (Rama) and my ego (Ravana) surrenders.

Still following? We can view the Ramayana as an eternal phenomenon happening all the time, in our own system! Now if we do so, how can we practically apply that in our day to day life? 

I was watching a very intimate talk on the meaning of hanuman to our western society by Ram Dass. When he was already very ill, not long before he died. And he mentioned something so beautiful: 

‘’If the world is full of blackness and you feel the strong urge to do something about it. ‘Stop there for a moment’. Delve into your being, make contact with the breath and with your heart. First be and then do. Being is ‘Ram’ inside of us. When we connect with being we can radiate love, compassion, peace and joy. Just radiate. Rub off your connection with that inner being. That ís helping society. Lighten up the space around you. That light is spiritual light. Become a mirror to others to let them recognise being within them. First be, then do.’’

We encounter so many people and situations every day. And every time life asks of us that shift of perception that Ram Dass describes. That slowing down, that meeting situations in our life with openness, instead of through the lens of our own narrowed view. It’s seems to me that life is not so much about what comes to us, but about how we are with what comes to us. So next time you are in an argument with your lover or your boss or your child or whomever. Are you able to widen your perspective? Can you step into the others shoes and shift back to your own, even be in all the shoes at the same time? Can you take a breath, quiet the mind, open the heart and let action happen from that place of openness.

When Rama asks Hanuman, “How do you look upon me?” hanuman replies: “When I believe I am the body, then I am your faithful servant. When I know I am the soul, I know myself to be a spark of your eternal Light. And when I have the vision of truth, you and I, my Lord, are one and the same.”

So much is said in this one sentence. This one sentence, I would argue, describes our whole development through the practise of yoga. It reminds me of the eightfold path of Patanjali. First there is the effort towards good conduct. It’s an effort, an active practise to prepare the system (Yama, Niyama; Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana). Then there is the getting familiar with the tasting of stillness, absorption states, tastings of the divine within ourselves (Dyana) and lastly there is the full merging, the resting in the ocean of divinity, there is no more separation (Samadhi).

Hanuman, the great monkey God of the Ramayana is a symbol of the mind that has become disciplined and filled with devotion. Hanuman is the evolved state of our unruly mind that constantly jumps from thought to thought. This mind is fully focused on the presence of the divine within all and acts from that knowing. Hanuman ís the embodiment of the expression ‘Love all, serve all’’. 

And the story of Hanuman is the story of ourselves.

Ida Stuij, teacher at SvahaYoga, psycholigist 

Amazing Benefits of Vinyasa Yoga

There are many physical advantages to vinyasa practice that might improve your general health. More flexibility is one of the main benefits.

Vinyasa emphasizes strength development in addition to flexibility. Over time, the varied postures’ dynamic motions and holds work different muscle areas, improving physical strength and endurance. This helps you avoid injuries and improves your physical performance.

Read More

Source: theyogahow.com

Bikram Yoga Poses: Unveiling the Benefits of This Hot Yoga Practice

Vinyasa Flow Yoga Class in Los Cabos

If you're looking for a way to take your yoga practice to the next level in Los Cabos, Here SANDRA SELVA YOGA & FITNESS INSTRUCTOR will start with stretching and mobility, which is always good for your body and mind Book Vinyasa Yoga Classes In this class, we'll focus on a wide variety of poses that will work all over your body—your abs, back, shoulders, arms, and legs—and also give you time to explore the art of breathing. Please Visit Our Website WWW.sandraselva.com

My best student took her 500th class tonight and it just happened to align when I was subbing at @floyogacycle Sheena is so dedicated at putting in the work always. Thank you for sharing this moment with me ❤️ . . . #privateclients #yogateachers #yogateacher #vinyasaflow #babygrasshopper #treepose #treeposetuesday #putinthework #putintheworkgettheresults #loveday (at FLO Yoga & Cycle) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoqvGQtLrKD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

OPEN HOUSE @jamesislandyoga THIS WEEKEND! January 27-29th, 2023 Friday •Saturday • Sunday *all classes & events are COMPLIMENTARY! 𝒮𝒲ℐ𝒫ℰ 𝒻ℴ𝓇 𝒮𝒞ℋℰ𝒟𝒰ℒℰ~~~ Sign Up to RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW through the Mindbody App or on our website. Link in bio. We are continuing to add classes for the event, as we create our full time schedule. 𝔽𝕃𝕆𝕎∙ ℍ𝕆𝕋 ∙ ℙ𝕆𝕎𝔼ℝ ∙ 𝕐𝕀ℕ ∙ 𝕂𝕌ℕ𝔻𝔸𝕃𝕀ℕ𝕀 #jiy #jamesislandyoga #charlestonyoga #charlestonyogateacher #yogateachertraining #vinyasaflow #hotyoga #flowyoga #kundaliniyoga #manifestyoga #benderyoga #tymihoward #tymihowardyoga #yogaposer #southcarolinayoga #yogaincharleston #poweryoga (at Manifest Yoga with Tymi Howard) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn1orOqO0r0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Vinyasa Flow Third Eye Yoga Tuesday and Wednesday New Time: 7pm Benefits include: Improved Cardiovascular Fitness Strengthened Muscles Increased Flexibility and Mobility Reduced Stress Levels #vinyasaflowinakecounty #vinyasaflow #yogainlakecounty #yogaintavares #vinyasaintavares (at Third Eye Yoga) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkPMkgYpK4K/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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“Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.”

We are greatfull to have been with our small group around the world ,who took break from their hustle bustle life to experience the Himalayas wisdom with us. We appreciate theirs courage to challenge themselves and have this unpredictable adventure with us.

Join us an adventures Himalayan hiking yoga retreat where we challenges our limitations and keep ourself align with the nature and mighty Himalayas through the practice of yoga.

For more information visit us at - www.atharvyogshala.com

Rusty Wells is a yogic messenger and teacher of Bhakti Flow. 

His classes are an experiential explosion of music, sweat, stillness, and energy that will open your heart and leave you overflowing with bliss. Rusty infuses his joyful, energetic, and often mind-blowing classes with his belief that we can best serve others and heal ourselves through unconditional love and devotion. To this end, he passes along his profound gratitude for breath, body, and mind through yoga’s time-honored practices. Rusty leads teacher trainings as well as retreats and workshops around the world. He is the author of Bhakti Flow, A Training Guide for Practice and Life (Shambhala Publications).

Exploring the Benefits of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga