Maya, the Veil of Illusion

One of my biggest struggles as a yoga instructor is getting students to understand the concept of Maya. In Sanskrit the term Maya derives from the idea that the mundane physical and mental reality of everyday consciousness has clouded our perception of being part of a bigger whole. The idea that the self is separate from the Universal Consciousness thus causing karma and rebirth. In other words, we see our reality on Earth as being severed from what is happening in the larger scheme of things. I find this perspective to be selfish, denying that we have something intrinsically divine within us.  With regards to a yoga practice, the concept of maya deals with our delusions about our bodies, our thoughts, our emotions and our circumstances. We choose to attach to our injuries, our stories and our emotions hindering us from experiencing our god given right to freedom. From the Tantric perspective, yoga is a means to move with the momentum of Universal Consciousness and becoming one with it. Through this union, one is able to experience a state of liberation while still being embodied and being of this Earth.

The great George Gurdijeff once said, "You are in prison. If you wish to get out of prison, the first thing you must do is realize that you are in prison. If you think you are free, you can't escape." Hear Osho's response below:

This brings to light the question, well "if I'm in a prison of illusion, who put me there?" According to Eastern Philosophy, you put yourself in a "prison". Well why would anyone want to do that? Simply stated, it's easier. It's easier to have a story, to cling to old events and emotions, to stubbornly hold onto the false notions of reality that we are not good enough, not beautiful enough and not capable enough. Instead of putting the work into creating a reality we desire, we instead choose to travel the road often travelled rather than the one less frequented. Okay, so what to do then? How do I become free? There's the million dollar question. Can you experience "freedom" without worrying about the limitations of finances or relationships or family and jobs? Yes, by Goddess, Yes you can. It's a choice. Which do you choose? 


I hope that in my classes, students get a small taste of what it feels to be free even if for an hour and half of the stories of their injuries, their addictions, their "responsibilities and ties to everyone else except themselves. I hope that they feel the joy of liberation and dancing in union with the cosmos. I wish that change comes and comes swiftly so that we may all live enlightened and in alignment with Universe. 


See you in class. 


Love,
Rose

Post Op Yoga Diaries Part I

For those of you who are still confused about what Post Op Yoga is I've decided to keep a blogary (blog/diary) of how yoga can aide patients post surgically. I will choose a specific surgery each time to focus on and explain the what, whens, wheres, hows and whys. If you have suggestions about which surgeries you'd like for me to focus on, please email me here . And thanks!

Blogary Part I:

Liposuction/Fat Transfer to the Buttock

Patients that have undergone the liposuction and fat transfer to the buttock procedure may experience soreness and varying degrees of pain. The incision sites where the liposuction was performed may be tender but the majority of the discomfort post surgically will come from the buttocks and the inability to sit or sleep properly for the first week and a half. After about a week when everything has settled down and you're on your way to recovery, this is a good time to introduce mild breathing exercises and a meditation practice. The breathing will initially concentrate its focus away from the discomfort and uneasy areas and will gradually work it's way up to breathing directly into areas of tension, tenderness, and stress. The meditation will be light and simple. We will start out with an initial regiment of 5 min at a time. The guidance on which meditation is most appropriate will vary from person to person and depend on their experience with stillness practices. Generally one is taught to meditate in a seated position, but for fat transfer patients sitting is a bit of a challenge at first so we can get creative about where and how you can sit. It's important to dedicate a special space in your home for your yoga and mediation practice so that you have an area that you design based on your comfort and taste to create an area of refuge. Make sure that this space has sufficient room for sitting and also practice with legs open wide.

After a few weeks as per the doctor's recommendation we will begin to introduce yoga postures in addition to your breathing and meditation practices. At about 6 weeks we can begin asana also known as  pose or posture in Sanskrit. Asanas will vary depending on areas that have been liposuctioned. Classically if you've had liposuction from the belly area, thighs, and/or flanks we can work on postures ranging from plank to bow pose. The sequence will be modified depending on the individuals needs and abilities. Please see images below for the types of postures you might encounter in your session. Enjoy and please send me questions and/or comments!

Modified Chatturanga Dandasana aka Plank Pose

Bhujangasana aka Cobra Pose

Ashva Sanchalanasana aka High Lunge or Rider's Pose

Dhanurasana aka Bow Pose

Purvottonasana aka Table Pose

Utkatasana aka Chair Pose

Crescent Pose

These are a few of my favorite things

Wanna beat the stress that comes with family, shopping, holiday traffic and finances?

What better time to practice yoga and meditation than now. Give yourself the gift that keeps on giving...Hint hint..maybe a private lesson or two? Maybe a restorative class? Maybe a day at the Korean spa? It's only $20! ;-) Anywho, if you weren't grabbin what I was throwin..then I leave you with these simple but profound words of wisdom:

"Don't just do something - sit there!" ~Author Unknown

Happy Holidaze!

<3 Rose

Recipes for the Vata Season

Click here for recipes

Also visit this great article about Ayurvedic tips for the Vata season here

Mindfulness on and off the mat

Self Love Affirmation

Great for a daily practice.

LOVING TREATMENT

Deep at the centre of my being there is an infinite well of love.

I now allow this love to flow to the surface.

It fills my heart, my body, my mind, my consciousness, my very being, and radiates out from me in all directions and returns to me multiplied.

The more love I use and give, the more I have to give, the supply is endless.

The use of love makes me feel good; it is an expression of my inner joy.

Yes, I love myself, therefore I take loving care of my body.

I lovingly feed it nourishing food and beverages.

I lovingly groom it and dress it and my body lovingly responds to me with vibrant health and energy.

I love myself, therefore I provide for myself a comfortable home, one that fills all my needs and is a pleasure to be in.

I fill the rooms with the vibration of love so that all who enter, myself included, will feel this love and be nourished by it.

I love myself, therefore I work at a job that I truly enjoy doing, one that uses all my talents and abilities, working with and for people that I love and love me, and earning a good income.

I love myself, therefore, I behave in a loving way to all people for I know that that which I give out returns to me multiplied.

I only attract loving people in my world for they are a mirror of what I am.

I love myself, therefore I forgive and totally release the past and all past experiences and I am free.

I love myself, therefore I love totally in the now, experiencing each moment as good and knowing that my future is bright, and joyous and secure, for I am a beloved child of the universe and the universe lovingly takes care of me now and forever more.

And so it is.  

By,

Louise L. Hay

Lineage of Viniyogis

Ran across a great article with the son of TKS Desikachar and grandson of Krishnamacharya : Kausthub Desikachar discussing the importance of yoga as a spiritual practice, not an aerobic practice. Please enjoy.

Krishnamacharya

The Desikachars