Rituals of Radiance: How Self-Care Becomes a Sacred Act

After working in the beauty industry for 14 years, I’ve witnessed a profound shift. What was once viewed as a luxury reserved for special occasions has now become an essential part of wellness. Regular facials are as important as regular doctor checkups.

While professional estheticians cannot diagnose medical conditions, we do study skin diseases and disorders extensively in school. This creates an opportunity to notice irregularities, such as changes in moles, and encourage clients to seek medical attention when needed.

Self-care becomes a sacred act the moment you choose to look in the mirror with eyes of love at the reflection staring back. It begins with appreciating what you are giving your attention to. Esoteric, I know—but hear me out.

You’ve probably heard the yogic saying, “Where focus goes, energy flows.” The quality of your energy matters because your ritual matters—and you matter. As humans, we radiate when we are in a state of joy. Being in your natural state of joy requires taking care of yourself. The world naturally tends toward entropy, but your self-care ritual acts like compounding interest in you. It strengthens your capacity to give to others without depletion. Giving without expectation is a great gift—a blessed state that even supports telomere growth.

The definition of “sacred” is something connected to a higher power, something greater than the self. When practicing self-care, express gratitude for what you’ve been given—a beautiful face and body. Your body is the vessel that carries you through the storm—or becomes the storm. Treat your reflection as the blessing it is, in all your glory.

Your skin, the largest organ of the body, functions as both a nutrient absorber and a system for waste removal. It protects your vital organs, regulates temperature, and responds to light through melanogenesis (tanning). Because your skin gives so much, it deserves respect. Speak sweetly to it—not just in words, but in thought.

Thought is not an airy thing. It lives in the fourth layer, weaving through the endocrine system, flowing through hyaluronic rivers, shaping bone. Our perception of a thought becomes the emotion, and that emotion becomes the body. Sweet thoughts carve beauty deeper than skin—they shape how we inhabit ourselves.

A beauty ritual is not vanity. It is devotion. It is prayer in motion. It is the soft, persistent language of love spoken to your own reflection.

Citations

Lorenzi C, Leggeri A, Cammarota I, Carosi P, Mazzetti V, Arcuri C. Hyaluronic Acid in Bone Regeneration: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Dent J (Basel). 2024 Aug 19;12(8):263. doi: 10.3390/dj12080263. PMID: 39195107; PMCID: PMC11353189.

Zhao C, Zhang Z, Hu X, Zhang L, Liu Y, Wang Y, Guo Y, Zhang T, Li W, Li B. Hyaluronic Acid Correlates With Bone Metastasis and Predicts Poor Prognosis in Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Jan 26;12:785192. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.785192. PMID: 35154001; PMCID: PMC8826575.

Edwards R, Ibison MC, Jessel-Kenyon J, Taylor RB. Measurements of human bioluminescence. Acupunct Electrother Res. 1990;15(2):85-94. doi: 10.3727/036012990816358243. PMID: 1978506.

Giridharan S. Yoga and Telomeres: A Path to Cellular Longevity? Cureus. 2024 Nov 27;16(11):e74552. doi: 10.7759/cureus.74552. PMID: 39735156; PMCID: PMC11676400.

Anxiety Doesn’t Have to Own You

If racing thoughts keep you up at night, yoga can be your anchor. I’ll show you practical flows that calm your nervous system and ground your energy—even if you only have 10 minutes. Harmony within begins with your breath, and allowing the breath to move you through the posture. Click here and breathe with me →

Freedom to trust.

Anchor

The foundation of any posture is your anchor into practice. We first anchor into the space with awareness, then an intention is set. When the mind wanders, we gently bring awareness back to the intention. This rewires your mind to virtue, the unwavering truth within, rather than the habitual reels that typically play through the mind when you are doing something challenging.

Calm Nervous System

Our waking state reflects through our sleep state. The way we approach the world during the day continues into our sleep state. Infinite thoughts of love, compassion, equanimity, and joy in the waking state reflect in our sleep state. Our worldview during the day is also our worldview when we sleep. Calm the nervous system during the day, and the nervous system calms in sleep. This is not woo-woo, this is Science, The Law of Cause and Effect.

Ground Your Energy.

I want you to think of the nervous system as guitar strings, and you are the guitar. When you experience something that moves your subtle energy body (the guitar strings), it’s like moving the strings on the guitar; each string plays off of the previous string. The thought picture we see when the strings move form the bones in our body. We connect to infinite love, compassion, equanimity, and joy to take both our power back and our sleep.

Today, I invite you to observe the earth beneath your feet, notice how you are effortlessly supported by the earth. You do not have to do anything.

Tired of Feeling Disconnected?

We live in a world that keeps us plugged in but feeling empty. Yoga is the bridge back. At YOGAwCHRIS, we use breathwork, gentle strength, and awareness to help you recharge from the inside out.

Located at the naval is our Golden Gate, the fire of our existence. Join me in this core-strengthening yoga sequence, 13 minutes - wear something you can move in!

RECHARGING FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

Breathwork
Our breath is both voluntary and involuntary. We often move through life unaware of this fundamental rhythm, allowing the environment to breathe us. But what happens when we consciously work with the breath? Why is it important to reclaim this sacred rhythm?

Gentle Strength

What if I told you that yoga can energize you just as much as a cup of coffee? The stimulation we seek from external sources is often just a conditioned chemical reaction. But vitality isn’t found in caffeine—it’s found in presence.

When we step into the quantum field of awareness—hovering just above the experience—pain dissolves. In this space, we can consciously rewrite our programming. Observing without attachment, and with loving awareness, we begin to see how suffering is created through habitual patterns. This is the essence of being “in the world but not of it.” In the spaciousness of emptiness, we become the authors of new action.

Awareness

With embodied awareness, there comes a time when we realize that the strength we’ve defined is no longer necessary. True strength is found in surrender. In this state, we experience the direct perception of emptiness—not as a void, but as a calm presence. Anger, fear, and all mental afflictions fall away. What remains is your essential nature—pure, steady, and whole.

Today in Your Practice…

As you move through your various postures today, I invite you to:

• Observe your awareness of the inhale, exhale, and the space in between.

• Notice how karmic seeds are ripening to form this exact moment—both the sensations you feel and the subject of your feeling.

Feel Like Life Is Running You Over?

Overwhelmed, overbooked, and over it? Yoga isn’t about escaping life; it’s about taking back control. At YOGAwCHRIS, we blend mindfulness and movement to help you stop the chaos and breathe again. Start small. Start today. Take back your power with this intermediate Yin Yang Yoga class!

Start small.

Mindfulness

In Sanskrit, mind translates to mana, inherent tendencies, desire, or drive. The mind is the fertile soil of your thoughts. By acknowledging the thought as your own, the thought becomes a cycle in your reality. Believe in yourself and what you are doing.

Movement

In Sanskrit, the movement of the mind translates to Chitta. We detoxify Chitta through awareness. Awareness of the starting point and resolution. How does the cycle play out? How would you do things differently if you could? What is the paradoxical solution to end the cycle once and for all? Work it out on your mat and in day-to-day interactions.

Stop Chaos

In yoga, we aim to let go of the mind movement to end the cycles of suffering. Everything is coming from you. I want you to think of each Chakra point as a Manager Mind. Yoga classes are designed to bring awareness to the whole body, which is projecting from the mind. How are you understanding yourself through reading this newsletter? What are the thoughts? Observe them. Each chakra point holds a unique set of energetic principles that govern the state of mind.

Root (base of spine) - security, stability.
Sacral (stomach under belly button) - creativity, sexuality, pleasure, and emotions.
Solar Plexus (above naval) - personal power, willpower, self-esteem, and confidence.
Heart (strenum) - love, compassion, empathy, emotional connection.
Throat (hyoid bone) - communication, self-expression, authenticity.
Third Eye (in between eyebrows) - in tuition, insight, wisdom.
Crown (top of your head) - higher consciousness, spirituality, and universal energy.

Observe where your thought is coming from and the sensation in your body, rather than attaching to the thing. If your mind wanders, gently bring awareness back to your breath.

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💫 Private Yoga Sessions: Your practice, your pace. Personalized to your goals—whether you’re new to yoga or looking to deepen your journey. Perfect for those needing modifications or a customized approach.
📅 DM us to schedule your private session today!

Too Stressed to Even Meditate?

You’re not alone. Modern life keeps us in constant fight-or-flight mode, making even sitting still feel impossible. But what if you could find stillness without forcing it? At YOGAwCHRIS, we teach yoga that meets you where you are—no pretzel poses, just real relief for real stress.

In this episode, we start from the ground up, focusing on the hips, neck, and shoulders. Your going to want a block for this beginner-friendly sequence.

BUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP

Root.

The earth is our sensory connection to develop an energetic connection that, over time, cultivates the way you walk, stand, and even sit. When we are consciously rooted in posture, our mind can expand properly. Note the Fibonacci sequence, a pattern that gradually unfolds, consistently, and in alignment. Each sequence builds upon the previous one, curating your unique expression on the mat. Your connection with truth channels to the rest of your life.

Rise.

Once we are rooted, we can rise through our outermost expression - lengthening the inner winds of the body and allowing for homeostasis within. And it feels good. Now we want to be mindful of the body as a whole when expanding. The whole body is engaged and alive in equanimity.

Observe.

Now we drop into the science and seat of the observer. Observe how your body responds to certain postures. Are you focusing on your outbreath, then on your inbreath? Are you aware of all parts of your body in equanimity? Is your breath balanced on the in and out? Is it appropriate to connect to Ujjayi (Ocean Breath)?

Ujjayi breath engages essential core muscles and can neutralize the frustrating emotions that accompany certain postures.

Follow on →

Unlock Unshakable Confidence: Ancient Yoga Secrets for Modern Life

Ever wonder how some people seem to radiate confidence effortlessly? The secret isn’t just mindset — it's discipline and routine. The Yoga Sutras, written by Sage Patanjali over 5,000 years ago, hold timeless wisdom that still applies today. By embracing key practices like loving-kindness, mindful movement, and intentional breathing, you can build a powerful foundation for inner strength and self-assurance. Ready to unlock your true potential? Here's how ancient wisdom can guide your modern journey to confidence.

1. Discipline & Routine For Confidence

The text of The Yoga Sutras is ancient and is written by my man (or woman), Sage Patanjali over 5,000 years ago. The teachings still hold true, even now, in modern times. The Yamas are the first five staples to support the structure within your true self. The Niyamas are commitments with the discipline.

2. Commit To Loving Kindness 

Let go of what isn’t serving you. Nurture what is serving your life, and give with the overflow.

3. That Flow, Though

Asana is a yoga posture. The breath is unrestricted and rhythmic - if we can’t breathe, the purpose is defeated. A morning routine of asana finds the body limber for the day, as well as circulates lymph and blood throughout the body. This means positive heart health, metabolism, joint mobility, and confidence. Asana brings us back into body-mind coherence.

4. Breathe

Everything is connected to your breath. Shallow breathing triggers the sympathetic nervous system, also known as fight or flight. This releases poisonous hormones as a warning sign to our body, and we deteriorate when they are released regularly. Deep belly breathing nourishes and creates a feeling of abundance. When in a state of abundance, we can breathe more easily. How we breathe creates our life.

5. Giving is Life

Contribution is one of the six basic human needs, not want, but need. When we give unconditionally, it releases the feel-good hormone oxytocin, and we actually feel better than if we were to receive it. Our brain rewards us for giving. The feel-good wave lasts for a couple of hours after the fact. When giving up a bad habit, it needs to be replaced with something else or the habit comes back with shame sprinkles. Replace the addiction with giving. It will last longer, and the act of kindness will inspire others to do the same. You are an example. Be the voice of change.

Transform Fear Into Peace: How Ahimsa Guides You to Heal, Let Go, and Embrace Life

Ahimsa translates from Sanskrit to non-striking. It is a natural human compulsion to want to strike out (or inward) when fear appears. Remember, things are coming from you—everything, from your cell phone screen to the environment breathing you now.

Ahimsa is the first Yama Yogi Virtue. The Yamas are 5 ethical commitments to follow to be a real yogi. Ahimsa is the practice of being careful not to harm others, including every living creature since all beings feel pain and wish to avoid it.

Why a cell phone screen?

Vitality is present when in alignment with our values. The outside environment is a reflection of what is going on inside of us. This consciousness awareness connects to our breath and the perception of the world at this very moment in time. The state of wellness is the result of practicing Ahimsa.

Things run smoothly and work with ease. Reactions are a form of fear. A misguided worldview can block vital life forces, causing dis - ease. One reaction can ruin a life.

This begins to show up in small things like a crack in your cell phone screen. When ignored, it doesn’t go away but snowballs in the subconscious space to revisit us later.

I am enough, ah hung.

Homework

On The Mat

Becoming the lotus flower. Set your intention to become the lotus flower. Lotus flower grows from the dirtiest part of the pond, through the waters, and towards the light. When lotus blooms, the aroma spreads throughout the land as an offering. The most fragrant, sweet aroma.

Bring attention to the rhythm of your breath. The rhythm of your breath creates the aroma we share with the world.

For The Day

Let go of anger. Today, let us weed our inner garden, instead of reacting to something we don’t like and perceive as outside of self. Today we choose to let go of our normal pattern of doing something. We are all here so we are not alone. Who are you grateful, for today?

Unlock Your Truth: Mastering Satya for Authentic Living, Powerful Speech, and Deep Connection

The practice of never giving anyone even a slightly different impression of what we know to be true. Satya is the third Yama Yogi Virtue, or commitment to ethical living. Satya is refraining from separateness caused by idol (meaningless talk), gossip & harsh words such as complaining or cursing. Grounded in truth and not desire, our actions result in a fruitful nature. Truth in essence does not change, holds no distortion, and is pure. Thoughts that pass through the mind do not define us unless we identify with them. Observe the thoughts with loving awareness.  Then we move on to the next Yama Yogi Virtue ~ letting go.

Steady in our feet.

We each hold a unique gift that only you can offer this world. Align your words to the language of your thing. When fully established in Satya, one is completely rooted in truth, words become powerful, resulting in fruit immediately ~ speech is profound and vast.

Courage is easy.

Decide to face the pain and align to your unique truth. May the truth set us free. Truth in nature resonates deep, timeless, and belonging. Practice with awareness of what resonates and what does not.

On the mat.

Singing is a practice of Satya. Your journey and wisdom are a virtue and are felt through our voice. All the experiences we have been through show up in our voices. This is our unique gift to the world and only you can offer it. So what could it be?

For today.

When the ego gets in the way of the heart, mental afflictions can rise to cloak the truth with a veil of illusion. Honor the light within. True service inspires the essential birthright in others. Your light reveals the truth in others.

note.

Satya must filter first through Ahimsa, as truth in nature is non-striking. Satya is the ability to transcend upward - everything is coming from you.

Let Go to Grow: Mastering Aparigraha for Non-Attachment, Joy, and Mindful Living

The practice of avoiding possessiveness of people and things by intentionally recognizing and trying to stop our feelings of displeasure when others get something they want. Letting go for joy and mindful living.

When fully established in non-attachment, one understands nature and one’s birth. Aparigraha is the yogi virtue of Non-Attachment, removing any sensory satisfaction about the problems of others.

The skin of the body is living awareness. 

The body and mind naturally organize what is helpful to the body and what is not. The skin then releases toxins through oil and sweat, regulating homeostasis within.

What is a toxin?

A toxin is a poisonous substance that causes disease. Let go of the toxic energy that no longer serves. When we practice yoga, we identify the toxin to form an intention at the beginning of class. By doing this, we can release the toxic thought patterns and the bodily pain associated with the thought pattern. Pancha Maya Kosha is the five layers of conscious awareness. The solution is found within the layers during a yoga class.

Self-care nurtures the mind and body, creating a foundation for self-love and belonging. As humans, when we feel insecure, we tend to try to control and cling to everything and everyone around us. When fully established in Aparigraha, one understands nature and the purpose of one’s birth.

How do you take care of the world around you?

By releasing control of the outcome and contributing positively to the world as the seasons change. Aparigraha is not playing favoritism with experiences. With each season, there is a lesson. The study is only visible when in an observer state of mind. The seat of aparigraha allows congruency, a steady state necessary to see what is valuable and virtuous. Releasing weight- creating value.

Generosity is giving AND receiving, but only when necessary. 

What is received will be gone at some point, suffering comes from the attachment to that thing. Seeking and accepting more than what one needs is a natural human compulsion, and with the law of change, extra things become baggage. Adapt to change by observing the breath during the process of giving and receiving.

On the mat.

Breathwork practice can relax the experience during the process. A sophisticated focus forms once you realize that the environment is breathing you. 

For today.

Decisions shift to support the reality of the new mind, body, and spirit. Give and receive only what will add value to life. The compulsion of hoarding, possessiveness, and craving for something outside of self is a cycle that will too, pass. 

With patience, presence, and gratitude.

Achieve True Bliss: How Samadhi Transcends Consciousness and Connects You to Everything

Samadhi transcends the 5 layers of consciousness to bliss body awareness. Equanimity and mindfulness are attained, and one is in connection with everything. We can feel the Schumann resonance a significant amount at this level. We are the thing, the thing observing the thing, and the meaning we give to the thing. Reflection lifts and the mind is empty.

Samadhi is when mental fluctuations cease, and a withdrawal from the outside world reaches a state of interconnectedness.

One can achieve samadhi through the 8 limbs of yoga while sitting in Lotus, Padmasana, or Sukhasana, Easy Pose.

Kundalini rising
Soul trying
Light igniting

Mastering Dharana: Preparing Your Mind for Deep Meditation through Focused Concentration

Dharana

Focused concentration - holding steady to a specific focus.

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Consciousness can drift in and out with the distractions of everyday life. Dharana is a fixed concentration on an object - like your hair is on fire! Think mountain bike tunnel vision. As fixation is maintained, you will realize that the thing carries out a reflection in everyday life. The object of focus has risen to shine light through the present moment. 

After Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), mental confusion ceases, for a harmonious state of being. Don’t get too excited - there is still mental chatter up there due to past experiences and imagined future projections. Dharana is preparing your conscious state to sit in meditation, to understand the experience. The Sri Lokesh is the point of concentration about six inches from your face. This is where the thing of focus will objectify. The Sri Lokesh can be developed with regular Yoga Nidra practice.

You may concentrate on a psychic symbol or seed mantra that matters to the current experience, your fundamental nature, and your ultimate truth. You must become absorbed, consumed, and overwhelmed by this mantra, deity, or guru. Spontaneous attention is what holds focus and keeps the mind from dissipating. Over time, one begins to see more profound aspects of the Sri Lokesh and the archetypal nature of your history can unveil.

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One point
toe floint
head to toe
front to know
to let go
in a hazy dance
with romance
no form
a faraway storm
one point
one mic
one square
triangular glare
yantra
mantra
DO NO HARM
breathe to close
the rose
to dive deep,
seek

To keep the mind with a secure concentration on an object while consciousness drifts in and out is Dharana. As fixation is maintained, you will realize that the object carries out a reflection. The object of focus has risen to shine a light on the conscious state. Dharana is to prepare your consciousness state for meditation. Focus on the Sri Lokesh, the space several inches in front of your face. This is where the object of focus will objectify.

Pratyahara: Unlocking Your True Nature by Quieting the Mind and Senses

Pratyahara

Ever wonder why you do the things you do? By withdrawing from the noise of the senses and turning inward, you can begin to understand your true self and unlock the wisdom hidden within.

In a world filled with distractions, it’s easy to lose track of the things that truly matter. But have you ever stopped to consider why you act the way you do? Pratyahara, often referred to as the "withdrawal of the senses," is a powerful practice that offers a pathway to self-awareness and inner peace.

When we consciously withdraw from the constant stimulation around us, we create space to observe the patterns of our mind. It's in this space that we can uncover the deeper truths of who we are and how we operate in the world. By learning to focus inward, we can better understand the fluctuations of the mind, known as chitta vritti, and begin to align our actions with our true purpose.

The journey toward inner peace begins when we stop reacting to external triggers and start to notice what’s happening inside. Yoga, with its emphasis on breath and awareness, serves as a detoxifying practice that helps clear away mental clutter. Through observing the breath, we can sense the subtle shifts in our emotions and energy. A fast-paced breath may indicate stress or tension, while a slow, deep breath signals relaxation and balance.

As you start to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment, you will uncover the true power of intuition—your inner "gut instinct." This deep awareness can guide you through life with clarity, free from the distractions that usually lead us astray.

Yoga Nidra, often considered a form of Pratyahara, is an incredibly effective practice for cultivating this inner awareness. In Yoga Nidra, the body enters a state of deep relaxation while the mind remains alert. This delicate balance between the conscious and unconscious minds allows us to access the space of manifestation and insight, a state where our true nature can be revealed.

Ultimately, Pratyahara isn’t just about withdrawal; it’s about turning inward to find the light within. As you journey deeper into your practice, you'll learn to let go of the distractions, attachments, and ego that cloud your perception. The result? A clearer sense of self, a deeper connection to your inner wisdom, and a life that aligns with your highest potential.

So, next time you feel overwhelmed by external noise, remember that the key to peace lies in the quiet stillness within. Through Pratyahara, you can begin to unlock the wisdom that has always been inside you.

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Me-ness

Guided by a sphere
I feel you near
through the construct
not so clear
lighthouse in the fog
body ridden with smog
follow the light
giving up the endless fight
using all my might
mouse maze of traps
time lapse
what is time?
not for the divine
a choice to stay in the grapevine
of time
eyes on
eyes beyond
seeking
the universe inside of
there is no
ego distracted again by something shiny

Pratyahara is withdrawal of senses to draw focus inward, towards the mind and our understanding of the world around us.

Pranayama: Harnessing the Breath to Elevate Your Yoga Practice and Enhance Life's Vital Energy

Pranayama

In yoga, this is the practice of breath control. Access the keys to vital health.

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Pranayama translates from Sanskrit to “breath control” and is the work to achieve steadiness and ease. These are the workout reps we practice to reach deeper into Ultimate Reality.

The act of breathing affects the subtle energy channels or nadis, and you begin to wake up. Heat and movement detox stale air (dukkha).

Pranayama is best practiced early in the day, on an empty stomach. We can control how we respond to things with pranayama.

The breath is a main source of Prana (aka Qi), or our vital life force, which makes it clear why pranayama is important to practice regularly as part of a healthy yoga regime.

The quality of our breath determines the quality of our life.

When breathing is mindful, with longer and deeper out breaths, we can live for much longer.

Prana does not only have to do with breath; it is everything that we perceive and feel. The practices become how we allow the environment to “breathe us” without trying to change anything.

With pranayama, we can appreciate and experience life in a profound way, as well as extend life for much longer than average.

It is even possible to reach the utmost capacity of our lungs and to prolong our breath in any situation. An exhalation will almost always last as long as an inhalation. Imagine the natural process of a sneeze. The exhale is complete and much fuller than the inhale. Think of an out-breath as ‘waste removal,’ or Dukkha in Sanskrit, to make room for ‘good space’ or Sukkha. Perhaps we can remember to practice this using the phrase “give more than what you take.”

Pranayama helps us exist, interpret, and act in a state of neutrality, helping balance logic and emotion.

Out breath.

There is no good or bad - it just is what it is.

In breath.

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Ujjayi | “The Ocean Breath”

This is diaphragmatic breathing with the lower belly, lower ribs, upper chest, and throat.

Ujjayi automatically engages core muscles to produce heat and is a valuable tool for focus while in a difficult yoga posture, or asana.

Length and speed of breath is controlled by the diaphragm, a thin membrane in between the thoracic and abdominal cavity of the lungs. Move the glottis by creating a slight constriction in the back of your throat.

Ujjayi strengthens the diaphragm and clears the mind. To engage, breathe as though you are trying to fog up a window w your breath.

Imagine your breath as ocean waves, crash to shore. How is your seashore washing up today?

How Posture Works: Unlocking Subtle Energies and Cultivating Inner Strength Through Asana

Asana

Posture - focus on physical posture of the body in observation, not judgement, to limit reactivity.

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A yoga flow is composed of postures, as translated from the Sanskrit word “Asana.” The action taken in the state of Asana reflects how one is currently creating one reality.

This is clearing obstructions in the human system by observing the repetitive cycles.

A muscle begins to atrophy after 3 days of inaction. The physical body is made from breathing patterns. Breathing moves subtle energies made of mental perceptions (karma). The intellect protects the centered position of bliss. The subtle energy is composed of perceptions the mind has formed to inspire longevity.

The two main principles of asana in yoga are steadiness and ease. Reactions can then alchemize into responses. Yoga is yoking back to our natural state of bliss. Think of an egg.

Observe your breath and mind after setting up your yoga posture to reflect on how you are currently showing up in life. The seat of the observer, without judgment.

A yoga posture is prescribed in the East rather than pills to clear barriers within the human design. Observe the patterns of tension in the body with transparency for liberation of those tensions. Things are empty in and of themselves, you charge the thing with a focus on the thing. Tensions can come in many forms with a similar underlying current. The thoughts that arise do not identify you unless you identify with them. Coming from the seat of observer, understand what was never yours in the first place.

The yoga posture, when practiced traditionally, can heal the deep wounds that were left forgotten. When deeper levels of consciousness are uncovered, it can get intense mentally, emotionally, and physically. Take classes from an experienced teacher. Always practice grounding and caution with deeper levels of yoga.

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It’s the moments of weakness

when every cell in your body wants to die

This is growth.

This is where strength from the inside out is cultivated.

Ishvara Pranidhana: The Art of Surrender and Devotion to a Higher Path

Ishvara Pranidhana

This is the practice of committing oneself to a qualified spiritual master in order to learn, hold, perfect and pass on the lineage.

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Ishvara Pranidhana is following under a master of what you are trying to accomplish. It is being beyond one form, yet expressed through all forms.

Ishvara Pranidhana is an offering - a devotion to something bigger than oneself. This could be God, the universe, many Gods, or nature. It is finding someone who is an expert and humbly learning from them.

Ishvara Pranidhana is The Offering of The Chapati - while staying at an ashram* in North India, we spent a lot of time in the kitchen with Ama, the exceptional woman who would cook for us, the best chapati ever - there is nothing like eating chapati made with natural spring water from the runoff of the Himalayan mountains. When Ama finished cooking the meal, she would tear off a piece of chapati and throw it into the shurja in recognition of the Fire God Agni, for providing fire to cook the food.

Ishvara Pranidhana is the yogi virtue of surrendering to the cosmic will by committing oneself to a qualified spiritual teacher to learn, hold, perfect, and pass on the lineage.

An inner knowing and external gratitude to step outside oneself to see the bigger picture. Surrender is not weakness, but wisdom to completely see now, where the entirety of the universe dwells. There is no past or future, only now. Surrender is not weakness, but wisdom to completely see the now, where in which the entire universe dwells. There is no past or future, only now. Now that is ever-changing, when one learns to navigate change with flexibility, ease, and faith, resistance lessens & suffering ceases. Physical strength stays with one longer because the stress that deteriorates muscle is limited. 

Now is ever-changing. Ishvara Pranidhana grants you the ability to navigate through change with flexibility, ease, and faith - suffering ends.

On the mat.

Stay in each posture for three ADDITIONAL breaths today.

For today.

Write this affirmation on a piece of paper.

“I am enough, ah hung”

Reflect upon the inner winds, and the views that move them.

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Surrender
to remember
who you are
go far
then beyond
never stop
coming back to you

*Yog Sadhana Dham Ashram Inquires (Retreats, Meditation, Ayurveda) - Contact Us here.

Svadhyaya: Cultivating Self-Awareness Through Scriptural Study and Reflective Meditation

What is SVADHYAYA?

Svadhyaya is the study of oneself and the collective. We study the self to become less self-centered. Something more significant than your ego is happening here.

This means plugging into self-reflective meditation and reading books on concepts that are bigger than you as an individual. Understand the teachings, understand the self, and understand the collective. Studying something bigger than yourself to gain knowledge.

On the mat.

Surrender tension from your forehead and jaw muscles. Notice when tense and when soft.

For today.

Practice listening to an elder’s story to gain wisdom. Surrender to the sound of their voice.

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Like a kite
no ground
flesh bound
feet not on the ground
voices just a sound
earth round
flesh bound
reach for the ground
fingers in soil
universal energy loyal
following
calling
guiding river of life
let go of the strife
soil rich
fragrant and free
of the flesh that encapsulates me