christiane

The full moon energy corresponds to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. This is an expansive, upward moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded.

It has always been the tradition in Ashtanga Yoga to rest from asana practice on new and full moon days (tithis). When asked why we shouldn’t practice on these days, Guruji was fond of saying, “Two ‘planets’ [grahas] one place, very dangerous.” What is meant by this is that on these days, the sun and the moon are in a line relative to the position of the earth. Consequently, their gravitational forces are all combined, and thus the effect of the ‘planets’ is more pronounced. One definitive effect of this is that the ocean’s tides are higher and lower on these days. When āsana practice is done daily, rest days are important for regeneration; and the extra biweekly ‘moon day’ comes as a welcomed respite.

So if you have a 6-day practice, take today as a day off…remember your body needs it, be kind and loving to yourself. There is no need to push and pull and force – the only possible outcome of that is injury – and we definitely do not want that! Kino MacGregor recently wrote an article on MindBodyGreen entitled “Yoga Taught Me How To Laugh At Myself” (click on title to read article and see video):

“The perfection in every masterful yoga posture is actually a demonstration of years of hard work. While postures may look peaceful and yogis may appear calm, the reality of yoga involves much more disciplined effort than instant grace. In other words: there’s no magic yoga dust that you can sprinkle on your body to produce ease and flow. These are qualities earned with daily devotion to the practice.

Many new students want to see results fast and they get frustrated when it takes longer than they expect. If you push too hard, you may actually sabotage your progress. Every journey contains some missteps and obstacles along the way. To climb the ladder of yoga into the depth of the subconscious mind is a descent into the underworld of your thoughts and emotions. When you face these things, yoga asks you stay and cultivate a calm, steady mind and a loving, forgiving heart.

I used to push myself really hard every day in my life and in my yoga practice. On days when I faced my biggest blockages and I’d go nowhere, I didn’t accept it. I would fight and struggle with myself and my body. If I did not “win” the battle, I’d beat myself up and get frustrated and angry. Most of that aggression was directed toward myself, but it didn’t make me a nice person. I was self-competitive and I lacked a sense of humor.

After 15 years of practice, whatever ego attachment I had to getting anywhere fast has slowly and perhaps systematically been broken. I do my daily practice and work on many of the same things that I’ve always worked on: getting stronger, going deeper in backbends and maintaining a balanced mind.

The difference between then and now is that when everything goes completely wrong and I fall out the postures or fail entirely, I don’t get mad at myself. I know that yoga is a lifelong practice and what matters most is the peaceful attitude of acceptance, forgiveness and joy. Yoga has taught me how to laugh at myself, especially in moments of epic failure. After all, it’s only yoga.”

Whatever your plans are for today, Gratitude & Love ❤ x

I always seem to talk about Ashtanga Vinyasa and Ashtanga workshops and Ashtanga teachers…but once in a blue moon a workshop comes up that isn’t Ashtanga related, but obv still yoga….like this one: Anna Ashby’s Anusara workshop in Milano. Anna will be in Milan for a weekend long workshop, Friday 21 – Sunday 23rd March 2014.

It’s always nice to mix it up a bit – don’t get me wrong, i love Ashtanga and will always practice it, but i also feel there is something we can learn from other styles, there is always room for more learning…there is no best or better style, all yoga styles are great and work toward the same goal – happiness 🙂

Here’s some info on the workshop:

Yoga Weekend with Anna Ashby

“A yogi in a steady posture easily becomes immersed in the heart.” Shiva Sutras

Milano, March 21-23, 2014

As part of her travels in 2014, Anna will be visiting Sattva Studio in Milano to dive into the heart and practice of yoga. Known for her precision in alignment and ability to articulate and make accessible the teachings and practices of yoga, this weekend offers an environment of learning and discovery where beginners, experienced practitioners and teachers may go deeper into the experience of yoga.

In these workshops you will reﬁne your understanding, sharpen your awareness, and transform your experience of yoga.

Friday, March 21, 6.00-8.30p – Restful + Deep

An evening of simple stretches to release tension, breath awareness to calm and centre the mind, and meditation to deeply rejuvenate the being. An environment of introspection and calm provides the means for turning deep within. This workshop dives into the subtlety of ‘natural’ breath which leads into a simple and accessible step by step approach into meditation.
All levels. 35 euros

Saturday, March 22, 9.30-12.30p – Steady + Grounded

A workshop that explores the foundation of all asana practice – the standing poses. Mastery of the standing poses provide the basis from which a more skillful and sophisticated practice emerges. Explore the power of these poses from the ground up and transform your practice!
All levels. 40 euros

Saturday, March 22, 2.00-5.00 – The Heart of Practice

A workshop that explores the art of back-bending – literally ‘opening’ the heart. With attention to alignment required for safe back-bending focusing on shoulders, neck, spine and hips, this workshop presents a simple step by step method for transforming your backbends and losing any fear around the practice.
All levels. 40 euros

Sunday, Mar 23, 10:00-2:00p – A Teachers’ Intensive: Reﬁne the Spoken Word

A unique intensive for teachers that explores the art of teaching and practice. With asana practice, contemplation and discussion this intensive provides an environment where teachers may delve deeper into their own practice, as well as contemplate and evaluate methods of communication and expression that enliven teaching.

Topics covered include: intention; methodology for teaching a pose; essential instruction; voice and teaching from a universal platform.

For teachers, teachers in training and experienced practitioners considering taking teacher training. 50 euros

Prices – Workshops/Intensives can be taken individually – see individual fees above.

Friday + Saturday – 105 euros.
Saturday only – 75 euros.
Saturday + Sunday – 120 euros.
Whole weekend – 150 euros.

To reserve a place you must pay a 30% non-refundable deposit. (Non- refundable deposit after March 18)

Location: Sattva Studio, via Sangro 31, 20132 Milano (MM2 fermata Udine).
For more information send a message to Alessandra info@sattvastudio.org or call +39 3381266316

ABOUT ANNA –

One of London’s leading yoga teachers, Anna has been studying and practising yoga for 23 years and teaching for 15 years. An experienced teacher, she holds the highest level of certiﬁcation by the Yoga Alliance (UK) – Senior Yoga Teacher (SYT) and Yoga Alliance (US) E-RYT-500. Anna’s teaching style has evolved over the years from her study of dance, in-depth training with established, classical yoga systems that focus on alignment, and a dedicated meditation practice that developed while she lived for 12 years in a yoga ashram in upstate New York.

Her style reﬂects precise instruction that combines healthy alignment and intelligent sequencing with an appreciation for ﬂowing artful movement. Her approach is methodical and accessible and incorporates the teachings of yoga in a way that is practical and makes sense in modern context. Workshops and retreats are focused on learning and discovery and the environment open and friendly.

Anna teaches at triyoga in London and is one of London’s leading yoga teachers. She is a founder and senior faculty member of the triyoga™ teacher training programme, one of the most comprehensive and rigorous training programmes in Europe.
And if you want to find out more about Anna, check out her website: http://annaashby.com/yoga-anna-ashby-about.php

~~ Italian version ~~

Weekend di Yoga con Anna Ashby

“Uno yogi in una posizione stabile si immerge facilmente nel cuore” Shiva Sutra

Milano, 21-23 Marzo 2014

Nell’ambito dei suoi viaggi nel 2014, Anna verrà al Sattva Studio a Milano per un’immersione nel cuore e nella pratica dello yoga. Conosciuta per la sua precisione nell’allineamento e per la sua capacità di esporre e rendere accessibile gli insegnamenti e le pratiche dello yoga, con questo weekend offre un ambiente di apprendimento e scoperta in cui principianti, praticanti esperti e insegnanti possono andare più in profondità nell’esperienza dello yoga.

In questi seminari affinerai la tua comprensione, metterai a fuoco la tua consapevolezza e trasformerai la tua esperienza dello yoga.

Venerdì 21 marzo, 18.00-20.30 – Quieto + Profondo

Una serata di semplici allungamenti per sciogliere le tensioni, di consapevolezza del respiro per calmare e centrare la mente e di meditazione per rinvigorire l’essere. Un ambiente di introspezione e calma fornisce i mezzi per rivolgersi in profondità all’interno. Questo seminario si immerge nelle sottigliezze del respiro “naturale” che gradualmente conduce a un approccio semplice e accessibile alla meditazione.
Per tutti i livelli. 35 Euro

Sabato 22 marzo, 9.30-12.30 – Stabile + Radicato

Un seminario che esplora le fondamenta di tutta la pratica delle asana: le posizioni in piedi. La padronanza delle posizioni in piedi fornisce le basi da cui emerge una pratica più abile e sofisticata. Esplora il potere di queste posizioni dalle fondamenta in su e trasforma la tua pratica!
Per tutti i livelli. 40 Euro

Sabato 22 marzo, 14.00-17.00 – Il Cuore della Pratica

Un seminario che esplora l’arte degli inarcamenti: l’apertura letterale del cuore. Ponendo attenzione agli allineamenti necessari per inarcarsi in sicurezza e focalizzandosi su spalle, collo, colonna vertebrale e anche, questo seminario presenta un metodo semplice e graduale per trasformare i tuoi inarcamenti e perdere ogni timore riguardo la pratica.
Per tutti i livelli. 40 Euro

Domenica 23 marzo, 10:00-14:00 – Intensivo per Insegnanti:

Affina il tuo linguaggio Un intensivo unico per insegnanti, che esplora l’arte dell’insegnamento e della pratica. Attraverso la pratica delle asana, la contemplazione e la discussione, questo intensivo fornisce un ambiente in cui gli insegnanti possono esplorare più in profondità la loro pratica e allo stesso tempo contemplare e valutare metodi di comunicazione e di espressione che ravvivino l’insegnamento. Gli argomenti affrontati comprendono: l’intenzione; la metodologia di insegnamento di una posizione; la voce e l’insegnare da un punto di vista universale.
Per insegnanti, insegnanti in formazione e praticanti esperti che stanno prendendo in considerazione di fare un corso di formazione per insegnanti. 50 Euro Prezzi

I seminari e l’intensivo possono essere seguiti indipendentemente – vedi le quote indicate sopra.

Venerdì + Sabato: 105 Euro
Solo Sabato: 75 Euro
Sabato + Domenica: 120 Euro
Weekend completo: 150 Euro

Per prenotare è necessario pagare un acconto del 30%, non rimborsabile dopo il 18/03/2014

Luogo: Sattva Studio, via Sangro 31, 20132 Milano (MM2 fermata Udine)
Per informazioni e iscrizioni: Alessandra info@sattvastudio.org – Oppure telefonare al 3381266316

ANNA ASHBY–

Tra i massimi insegnanti di yoga di Londra, Anna studia e pratica yoga da 23 anni e lo insegna da 15. Insegnante esperta, con il Massimo livello di certificazione Yoga Alliance (UK) – Senior Yoga Teacher (SYT) e certificazione Yoga Alliance (US) E-RYT-500.

Lo stile di insegnamento di Anna si è evoluto negli anni grazie al suo studio della danza, alla sua formazione approfondita in affermati sistemi di yoga classico che si focalizzano sull’allineamento, e alla sua dedizione alla pratica della meditazione sviluppatasi durante la sua permanenza di 12 anni in un ashram a nord dello Stato di New York.

Il suo stile integra istruzioni precise che combinano un allineamento salutare e una sequenza intelligente con un apprezzamento per il movimento fluido e grazioso. Il suo approccio è metodico e accessibile e incorpora gli insegnamenti dello yoga in modo pratico e significativo per il contesto moderno. I seminari e i ritiri sono focalizzati sull’apprendimento e la scoperta e l’ambiente è aperto e amichevole.

Anna insegna a Triyoga a Londra ed è una dei massimi insegnanti di yoga di Londra. È tra i fondatori e membro anziano di facoltà del triyoga™ teacher training programme, uno dei più completi e rigorosi programmi di formazione per insegnanti in Europa.

E se volete saperne di più su Anna, ecco qua li link del suo sito: http://annaashby.com/yoga-anna-ashby-about.php

Full Moon

The full moon energy corresponds to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. This is an expansive, upward moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded.

Whatever your plans are for today, Gratitude & Love ❤ x

Sharath Ragaswamy Jois Interview

Anna Ashby in Milan!