Did you know there is a style of Yoga known as Integral Yoga? It is recognized as a system in and of itself, just as Hatha-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, Mantra-Yoga, Laya-Yoga, Jnana-Yoga, Kriya-Yoga, Raja-Yoga and Samnyasa-Yoga are. Oh, you mean there is more than one style of Yoga? Yes, indeed. The physical style of Yoga we practice in the West is all part of the style known as Hatha Yoga or "forceful Yoga." Hatha Yoga is the Yoga of postures and any Yoga practice which predominantly involves the practice of Poses, whether it's Vinyasa, Bikram, Power, Hatha, Kundalini, Iyengar, Astanga, etc. are all a part of Hatha Yoga. All forms of Yoga have the same fundamental objective: to transcend the egoic consciousness and to realize the Self, or divine Reality. Hatha Yoga is quite a complex system, involving postures, breathwork, meditation, concentration and so on. Often Yoga teachers will incorporate sophisticated breathing practices into their classes as part of a Yoga practice....

What I love about Integral Yoga is the founder of it, Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950), developed it as a way to adapt Yoga to our Westernized world. As we evolve in our practice, all of the different styles of Yoga eventually intersect and we begin to integrate different aspects of them into our Hatha Yoga practice. Integral Yoga, though, simplifies the approach, which at times, can appear to be complex as we deepen in our journey. Here is an excerpt from The Yoga Tradition about Integral Yoga:

"Integral Yoga is the synchronized action of personal aspiration "from below" and divine grace "from above." The essence of aspiration, however, is self-surrender, which must be complete for grace to do its transformative work.

Integral Yoga has no prescribed techniques, since the inward transformation is accomplished by the divine Power itself. There are no obligatory rituals, mantras, postures, or breathing exercises to be performed. The aspirant must simply open himself or herself to that higher Power, which Sri Aurobindo identified with The Mother. This self-opening and calling upon the presence of The Mother is understood as a form of meditaiton or prayer. Aurobindo advised that practitioners should focus their attention at the heart, which has anciently been the secret gateway to the Divine. Faith, or inner certitude, is deemed a key to spiritual growth..."

It's important to know that no Yogic path is an easy one. The practice of self-surrender, or surrendering to Divine Will is the journey of a thousand miles.... Yet we can simplify our approach to it. It is said that one can reach enlightenment through the constant repetition of a Mantra over and over again. Integral Yoga resembles the teachings of Jesus to me...to open up one's heart and to allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within it. I love that Yoga strengthens whatever our personal faith is, giving us a direct and tangible experience to continue to deepen and grow spiritually, as well as, physically, mentally and emotionally, ever-evolving into our Highest Good.

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I finally reopened The Yoga Tradition by Georg Feurenstein, Ph.D. this past weekend and decided I will be committed to reading it entirely. The reason I know I'm ready is because I'm really enjoying it this time. It is the most challenging book I've ever read about Yoga. I believe I purchased it sometime in 2001 or 2002 and only made it through the first two of eighteen chapters at that time. I've picked it up a couple of times since then, but realized I wasn't ready to commit myself to the journey of reading it. The book is like a college textbook about the History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice of Yoga and is 425 pages. Here is a reading sample from this book:

"In his Yoga-Bhashya (1.21), Vyasa also explains that there are nine classes of yogins, according to the intensity (samvega) of their quest, which may be mediocre, average, or extremely vehement. Vacaspati Mishra elucidates that the degree of intensity depends on previously acquired subliminal impressions (vasana) as well as on invisible (karmic) influences, called adrishta (lit. "unseen"). In other words, our commitment to Yoga practice is not entirely a matter of conscious decision. The depth of our attraction to God, or the transcendental Self, is not subject to our will but is preconditioned by our karmic past.... This explains why sometimes our best intentions on the spiritual path are foiled, especially at the beginning of our practice, and why we must continue to persist in disciplining oursevles."

As you can see, it's quite challenging. Nonetheless, it is one of the essential books to read about Yoga at some point on your path. The other book I highly recommed as absolutely essential to read is Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. I also purchased this book in 2002 and finally completed it at the beginning of 2006. It is an amazing, historic and truthful account of Yogananda's life as a Yogi.

I've had the opportunity to take Yoga with several different teachers recently. More often than not, at the end of class, the teacher does not leave time for a full Savasana, (Resting Pose) which is considered to be one of the most important poses in the practice. It is said that the poses are intended to prepare a person for Savasana by releasing tension out the body and mind so they can feel at ease in this pose. Often, however, I find the practice will be very physical all the way throughout class, with only about one minute to rest at the end. This is the complete opposite of anything I've ever experienced when studying with a Master Yogi. Master Yogi's always leave sufficient time, at least 7 - 10 minutes, for Savasana and this is the way the practice is intended to be. As I was reading through The Yoga Tradition yesterday, I realized that there is an actual term for placing all of the emphasis on the physical in Yoga and neglecting the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the practice. Here is the passage from the book:

"The term "yogist" is of modern coinage and describes the Western enthusiast, who is primarily interested in the physical aspects of Yoga-especially the postures (asana) - rather than in Yoga as a spiritual discipline of Self-realization." - The Yoga Tradition

One of the things I've found most amazing is recently I've had several students in class who have experienced "floating away" while resting deeply in Savasana. Most of these people, including a teacher, have practiced Yoga for at least a year, but never been able to relax fully. I asked if the teacher they had previously practiced with, allowed time for Savasana at the end of class. They replied that the teacher had not. Some of the most comforting moments I've experienced have been through resting/meditating in Savasana. I am so grateful to be able to share this experience with others and to support others in opening up to this peaceful place...

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The last couple of months of 2006 were particularly busy and it was challenging to find extra time to blog. It feels good to have a more manageable schedule now that the New Year is under way. One of the gifts I received for Christmas was a Zen Calendar. Each day I tear off the previous day's quote to awaken to a new awareness or inspiration for the day. Today's quote really spoke to me, so I thought I would write a short post about it. It says:

"You lose it if you talk about it." - Ernest Hemingway

Perhaps some part of us feels a need to talk about "it" because we want affirmation from another that our "it" is possible and real.

And "it" could be anything...your dreams, hopes, aspirations to your beliefs and opinions, relationship, and so on...

With all of the work I've done with Anthony Robbins, I used to believe that talking about "it" was an essential part of the realization of anything we hope to experience or attract into our life. More recently, I've allowed myself to tune into the silent awareness and knowing of my heart. Sometimes I still talk about "it", but more and more I'm remembering that some things should be kept sacred. This practice of Yoga is about being in communion with the Divine/God and perhaps our dialogue with the Divine, or our own Inner Essence, grows stronger, the more we look, listen and communicate within, rather than share everything with everyone else. What do you think?

"How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbor says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy." - Marcus Aurelius

"If a man wants his dreams to come true, he must wake up." - Anon.

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I had a full three day weekend this past weekend. And, I did nothing, which was wonderful. Plus, with the weather being so rainy and cold, it felt good to stay indoors. The most I did each day, was go to my health club for a workout, a steam and a sit in the hot tub. There's no better way to end a workout than relaxing at the spa.

As I was steaming yesterday, I started praying as I lay there. I prayed to be guided in the direction of my Highest Good, to be in alignment with the will of my Higher Power and for clarity on what that path and Its will is. I prayed for growth and connection in my relationships both with friends and family, as well as, my significant other. It felt good to have this dialogue with the Divine, to remember the power of prayer and to know I can be in communion with this Divine Force of Life in any moment I choose...

"The purpose of prayer is to reveal the presence of God equally present, all the time, in every condition." - Oswald Chambers

Then, I realized this New Year is unlike any other I've experienced more recently. All of my other New Years, since graduating from college in 2000, felt somewhat planned out or as though the path was obviously clear and already laid out for me. The past few years I was running my Yoga studio, and it seemed obvious to me the New Year would hold more growth related to that.

This year I've felt so much of the Unknown present in my life. Uncertain of what the future holds for me. As a notorious planner and a person who tends to feel concerned when I'm not certain of the direction ahead, it's been an enlightening experience to be in this place the last couple of weeks. Of course I believe the intention is to be here now, fully in this moment or as the Buddha said...The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.. I also believe the ability to envision serves as a great source of inspiration for our growth and our development in the here and now.

Where there is no vision, the people perish. - Proverbs 29:18

So, I made my Wheel of Life over the weekend. I'm still working on it, but it's brought a lot of these dreams and visions to the surface which I may have allowed to be stuffed down in the busyness of 2006. I'm excited about the year ahead, but also aware that even with a vision to inspire me, I still feel a bit scared, uncertain and unsure of myself and my ability to realize any of it. And, that's ok, in fact, being in this place is quite possibly, an incredible gift. Isn't it amazing some of the greatest growing and enlightening experiences we realize to be so only after we've gone through it?

"The longing for certainty...is in every human mind. But certainty is generally illusion." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

So, in this New Year, I'm certain of only one thing, that I'm completely uncertain and opening up to the Unknown more and more with every breath I breathe. Perhaps, the Unknown will be a place I no longer fear but a place I aspire to know more deeply as the one of the greatest treasures there is to know.

"One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of shore for a very long time." - Andre Gide

"The unknown is what it is. And to be frightened of it is what sends everybody scurrying around chasing dreams, illusions, wars, peace, love, hate, all that...Accept that it's unknown, and it's plain sailing." - John LennonRead more

Happy New Year! Wow, it's been a while since I've posted. It was nice to slow down for a couple of weeks after Christmas. I still taught, but much less than my normal schedule. It also feels good to be back in the swing of things.

I'm still opening up to my vision for 2007. I'm allowing the inspiration for the year ahead to flow into me, rather than putting pressure on myself to become completely crystal clear about how I think it all "should" look. This is definitely new for me, as in many of the years past I would have had all of my goals written down by now. I do intend to write them down, but I'm allowing the process to happen in its own time. I definitely believe in the power of the written word and have seen many incredible transformations and openings in my life, just by writing down my vision...

One vision I have for my Yoga practice in the year ahead is to be able to do a Handstand Press. I decided I would commit myself to the practice and possible realization of this in 2007. What I found amazing, is how fearful I am of this commitment. I am afraid because I realize that in order to be able to open up to this, it will require me to shift certain things in my life. To be able to cultivate and awaken the strength necessary for this pose, I will need to be even more conscious of my health and what I'm eating, and be committed to developing the strength necessary to do it. I do believe it's possible, even though I have fears and uncertainties about what the practice and development in this will look like.

"Courage is the power to let go of the familiar." - Raymond Lindquist

After I decided to make this a committed practice in 2007, I noticed I began to feel discouraged. So much so, that earlier today, as I was feeling frustrated at my perceived "inability" I said to my partner that I was thinking about quitting Yoga. Now, I'm not serious. But, I, too, find myself feeling discouraged at times. At times, I compare myself to others and measure their abilities against mine. Even though Yoga teaches us not to do this, I am susceptible at times to my human tendencies. Discouragement is a dark place to be in, it is the deflation of hope and belief. It often manifests as a result of thinking that where we are, is not where we "should" be, or by comparing ourselves to what we perceive someone elses abiltities to be. If we compare ourselves to others it is self-defeating. All we can do is commit to being the best we can be. Knowing all of this doesn't mean we won't sometimes find ourselves in this darkness. One thing we can know, is the darkness is always the opening to the Light.

"Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Discouragement can also come when we are unsure or uncertain about the way ahead. When we want something but don't know how we're going to get there.

"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly understood; an inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." - G.K. Chesterton

A few more awarenesses came to me today as I was teaching. What does it mean to be encouraged? Perhaps encouragement is finding the strength in the unknown. We know that in order to experience courage, we must be strong, even when we are afraid or uncertain. So, to be encouraged, is to be in courage...in the experience of being courageous. Courage is the manifestation of strength in the unknown, uncertainty and even fear.

To be committed to a Yoga practice is to be courageous. How many people do you know who've been committed to the practice of growth in anything for a long period of time, be it Yoga, Golf, Tennis, a musical instrument, and so on and on? Sure, there are many people who do these things recreationally, but how many are really committed with body, mind and heart to becoming the very best they can be. Many of the great Yogi's who've practiced Yoga for a long time, i.e. 20 to 40 years are considered to be Yoga Masters. No doubt, they've found themselves in places of discouragement from time-to-time as they've committed themselves deeper and deeper to their practice, their growth. But, each time we find ourselves in that place of darkness or discouragement, it is ultimately, an opportunity to realize an even greater strength within one's own Self.

"Courage is the basic virtue for everyone so long as he continues to grow, to move ahead." - Rollo May

So, as you're envisioning the possiblities of 2007, it's possible you may find yourself uncertain about the way ahead. This is how we usually know we're about to begin a journey of unprecedented growth. I encourage you to be courageous, to practice with body, mind and heart and to commit yourself completely to being the best you can be and awakening to your true potential with every breath you breathe...

Namaste! Happy Courageous New Year!
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