Samsara (meaning an endless cycle of reincarnation and suffering) is central to Hinduism's doctrine of metempsychosis. According to this belief, human spirits or souls (jivas) are bound by action (karma), creating an endless cycle of birth and death with each new life depending on one's actions being judged for merit by merit of action (karma). […]
Yoga defines life as an unending stream of stimuli which can be channeled toward harmony through practice of Yoga; one of the most beloved spiritual disciplines today. Yogis are dedicated practitioners of yoga's philosophical system and its various practices, known as its Yoga Sutra. While there may be multiple paths leading to yoga practice, it […]
Yoga is an engaging physical practice which improves strength, flexibility and balance while relieving stress and strengthening immune systems. Yoga is an ancient discipline combining physical postures, breath work and meditation. In the West, Asana yoga is the most frequently practiced form. Asana poses are typically seated or standing positions that utilize all parts of […]
Chanting is an essential component of many yoga practices, particularly japa (repetitive mantra chanting). Chanting can help calm and center the mind as well as deepen meditative aspects of physical yoga practices. Mantras provide powerful sound vibrations into our bodies, hearts, and spirits which help balance chakras. Bija mantras (or seed mantras) are single syllable […]
Jnana Yoga seeks to uncover the truth about yourself and the universe through self-inquiry; its objective being liberation from limiting beliefs and attachments while realizing a shared divinity present within all beings. Jnana is associated with Advaita Vedanta, a form of Hindu philosophy which draws heavily upon ancient scriptures (Vedas). This branch of yoga takes […]
Chakra symbols offer an effective way of understanding your energy body, serving as powerful healing and spiritual growth tools. Composed of circles, triangles, lotus petals and squares rooted in sacred geometry tradition from yoga, each chakra symbol represents different aspects of yourself including color and animal correspondences. Muladhara (root chakra), is the center of all […]
Bhakti Yoga, often referred to as The Yoga of Love, is an inward spiritual path focused on love. It involves worshipping God with devotion while seeking unconditional compassion toward all beings and creation. Bhakti yoga can be an especially rewarding path for emotionally sensitive people seeking a way to connect to something larger through their […]
Warrior pose is a crucial and challenging standing posture that provides vital balance to flexibility and strength in the legs, core, arms and shoulders. Additionally, it helps build courage, concentration, focus and concentration. In order to reap all its benefits and avoid injuries during practice of Warrior poses (Virabhadrasana I & II), certain key considerations […]
Yoga is an increasingly popular discipline for relieving stress, stretching the body and soothing the mind. But its terminology may be daunting to newcomers to the practice - whether in physical classes or watching online yoga videos. Sanskrit, which forms the backbone of many Indian languages and one of the oldest human tongues, provides much […]
Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic, flowing practice that blends dynamic poses with breath awareness and core strengthening exercises to form an engaging practice for beginners looking to build physical strength while increasing flexibility. The challenging backbends and twists help stretch leg, arm and buttock muscles for greater comfort while decreasing back pain. Not to push […]
