Like many ancient goddesses, Kuan Yin has countless stories and countless forms. with similarities rinning through all the stories, often appears as a calm, gentle woman who radiates serenity. Here is just one:
The Eight Limbs of Yoga: Dharana
Dharana (Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness)
Dharana means "immovable concentration of the mind". The essential idea is to hold the concentration or focus of attention in one direction. "When the body has been tempered by asanas, when the mind has been refined by the fire of pranayama and when the senses have been brought under control by pratyahara, the sadhaka (seeker) reaches the sixth stage, dharana. Here he is concentrated wholly on a single point or on a task in which he is completely engrossed. The mind has to be stilled in order to achieve this state of complete absorption."
In dharana we create the conditions for the mind to focus its attention in one direction instead of going out in many different directions. The objective in dharana is to steady the mind by focusing its attention upon some stable entity. Stopping the mind from wandering -through memories, dreams, or reflective thought-by deliberately holding it single-mindedly upon something.
The Eight Limbs Of Yoga: Pratyahara
The Eight Limbs Of Yoga: Pranayama
Building Yoga community: Setu
I was really excited to speak with Libby Nicholaou founder of Setu; An inclusive community-driven directory of yoga teachers that encourages diversity and positive relationships. Libby is launching Setu with an aim to represent yoga teachers of all races, ethnicities, orientations and geographical locations, uniting the yoga community and recognizing each and every teacher who contributes to it.
The Eight Limbs Of Yoga: Asana
The Eight Limbs Of Yoga: Niyama
Why Teach Yoga in the Workplace
Hatha yoga is a centuries old practise of movement and relaxation. We know now, through modern science that what we are achieving through breathing techniques, movement, balance and strength exercises is activation the parasympathetic nervous system - moving our body from a 'fight or flight' stress response to a calmer state.
Why Cornwall Rocks for Yoga Retreats
Summer Pranayama
Rise + Thrive
More Yoga Retreat Reading!
After such fun with the first compilation of Gorgeous Books for Yoga Retreats
I couldn't resist a few more! So these books, unlike in the last post, are not books I have read myself (yet!) but come highly recommended + rated. Hence making this list...
The Eight Limbs of Yoga: Yama
One of the first books written about yoga was one called The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, who refers to eight limbs of yoga, each of which offers guidance on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life.
Fairweather Yogi: Yoga Wear for Hot Weather
Yoga Retreat Packing List
I put this list together for my Spain Yoga Retreaters, but applicable to all hot weather yogis!
