Day 46

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Yoga makes the impossible possible. It is never to late to re-create yourself...

Check out this Buddhist story:

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Angulimala – The Garland of Fingers

By: Tsem Rinpoche

During Buddha Shakyamuni’s time, an Indian boy was born names “Ahimsaka” meaning harmless in Sanskrit, he was later known as Angulimala.

The Pali word ‘Angulimala’ directly translates to “finger mala” or a rosary of fingers. It is a story about a man named Angulimala who quickly excelled in his Dharma studies, but then found himself going down a dark and dangerous path. He lived the younger years of his life spiritually, but due to the jealousy from his peers he was shunned by his community… even by his parents!

He decided to take on a life as a robber and set out to make a mala-like garland of 1,000 fingers – one from every person he killed! For his 1,000th finger, Buddha Shakyamuni appeared before him. Angulimala saw him as his final victim and ran after him. But as much as Angulimala tried to get closer to his last victim, Buddha Shakyamuni always remained one step ahead of him.

Finally, Angulima cried out, "O Bhikkhu, stop, stop!" And the Enlightened One replied, "I have stopped. It is you who have not stopped." Angulimala did not catch the significance of these words, so he asked, "O bhikkhu! Why do you say that you have stopped while I have not?"

The Buddha replied, "I say that I have stopped because I have given up killing all beings. I have given up ill-treating all beings, and have established myself in universal love, patience, and knowledge through reflection. But you have not given up killing or ill treating others and you are not yet established in universal love and patience. Hence, you are the one who has not stopped." On hearing these words Angulimala was recalled to reality, and thought, these are the words of a wise man. This monk is so very wise and so very brave that he must be the leader of the monks. Indeed, he must be the Enlightened One himself! (Harpreet Singh’s addition to the story)

Angulimala threw away his weapons, broke down and cried and requested to be taken in as Shakyamuni’s student.  The Buddha took him in.

Angulimala’s life story is especially famous within the Theravadan school. His story shows how it is possible to change your life for the better even after committing so many negative deeds. A lot of people may feel that after creating so much negativity, there’s no turning back. Perhaps they don’t know how to change their life for the better, or that perhaps no one would give them a chance.

Like Milarepa – there are some saints who have hurt and killed many people… however, despite that, they are able to attain the state of Nirvana in that lifetime. Perhaps then, there is a way?

Share this with friends and children.

Read the comic (IN THE LINK BELOW) to find out why he wanted so many fingers… !

~ Tsem Rinpoche

READ THE COMIC HERE

“We are always the same age inside.”
~ Gertrude Stein

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And One more from the Buddha about forgiveness:

In the life of Buddha, there was a man who was abusing Him without understanding and when he finished with his abuses and Buddha had left, people told him, “Do you know who you were abusing? It was Lord Buddha.” He got the fright of his life.
He said, “Where is He gone?”
“He has gone to another village.”
So he went to the other village and he said, “Sir, I am sorry for what I said. Please forgive me. It’s all wrong and I should not have done it. You can punish me the way you like.”
Lord Buddha said, “When did you do that?”
He said, “Yesterday.”
Buddha said, “I don’t know yesterday. I know only today.”

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As many of you may know I love Hawaii and I love this prayer:

The Ho’oponopono Prayer

There are four forces at work in this prayer: repentance, forgiveness, gratitude, and love. These are reflected in the four phrases that make up the prayer.

The phrases, which you can repeat in any order, silently to yourself or out loud, are:

  1. I am sorry.

  2. (Please) Forgive me.

  3. Thank you.

  4. I love you.

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Check out Oprah and Marianne Williamson on forgiveness:
(Its only 4 minutes, 15 seconds)

OPRAH + MARIANNE WILLIAMSON ON FORGIVENESS

We’ve taken this time to build a daily practice, and would like make sure you are supported in the days that follow. We want to thank our local friends from Halfmoon for supporting us now and always.

Looking to add a few props to your home studio? Click the link below to see what they have to offer, from meditation cushions and eye pillows, to cork blocks - and be sure to use the code ONEYOGA_15 to save at checkout!

SHOP HALFMOON

Mara Branscombe enjoying a Halfmoon eye pillow.

Mara Branscombe enjoying a Halfmoon eye pillow.

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Monday February 15th
7:45-8:30am PST Power Flow with Amy Chalmers
9-10am PST Flow + Restore w/ Christine Chénier
6-7:15pm PST Slow Flow + Restore with Ariffa Lalani

Tomorrow, Tuesday February 16th
4-6pm PST 40 DAYS OF PRACTICE WRAP UP: ROUND 2
with RYAN LEIER + SOPHIE TRUDEAU

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Day 42

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I-14. sa tu dīrgha-kāla-nairantarya satkārādarā-‘sevito dṛḍha-bhūmiḥ

Practice done for a long time without interruption, with patience, perseverance and devotion becomes firmly established (bhūmih - grounded) in the mind.

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Sophie Grégoire Trudeau on Patience

“When I was a kid, my dad would often tell me: “Soph! Stop running! You’re gonna make yourself late...” I would laugh it off or roll my eyes.
In those days, it wasn’t clear to me what this meant. But today, as a mom leading a busy life like all of us, I understand that slowing down is probably key and a solution to many of our problems. Patience towards one self is crucial in order to gain perspective and let go of the daily drama of a hectic life.
Patanjali asks us to be patient, to trust what is unfolding. Deep change takes root through the subtle, slow and complex ebbs and flows of life.
How slow can you go? Hesitating? I promise it won’t be boring. Let’s practice!”

Click below to hear more from Sophie on why you should practice yoga

SOPHIE ON YOGA AND TEMPER CONTROL

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Thursday February 11th
7-8:15am PST Vinyasa with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau
9-10am PST Vinyasa en Español with Sandra Jara
12-1pm PST Vinyasa with Mari Dickey
4-5pm PST Vinyasa with Christie Baumgartner
6-7pm PST Spa Flow with Carolyn Budgell

Tomorrow, Friday February 12th
7-8am PST Vinyasa with Christine Chénier
10-11am PST Vinyasa with Peter Elmas
4-6pm PST Vinyasa Practice + Talk with Ryan Leier

Day 41

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And The Practice Continues…

Congratulations to everyone who has completed 40 days of practice, and a reminder that you still have unlimited access to classes, Ryan’s One Love Sunday Session, and next week’s wrap-up with Ryan and Sophie. Today may be day 41, but the practice continues everyday.

We promised you some sweet prizes as part of the 40 days, and while establishing your daily practice is a great prize, we also drew 7 winners last night and have announced them below… Be sure to check for your name!

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In my travels I spent time with a great yogi.
Once he said to me.
“Become so still you hear the blood flowing
through your veins.”

One night as I sat in quiet,
I seemed on the verge of entering a world inside so vast
I know it is the source of
all of
us.

~ Mirabai

T Krishnamacharya in Mulabandhasana

T Krishnamacharya in Mulabandhasana

40 Day Wrap-Up Round 1 Prize Draw Winners:

Thank you so much to both lululemon and Halfmoon for supporting The 40 Days of Practice. Our time together wouldn’t be the same without the support of our community.

We are thrilled to announce the following 7 prize draw winners! It is our hope that these gifts will support your continued daily practice.

  • Brittany Crane - lululemon x One Yoga Yogi Starter pack, including a mat, a block, a water bottle and a backpack

  • Gabriela Garcia-Luna - $50 Halfmoon gift card

  • Shelby Tianne - Lion No Coffee, No Prana Mug

  • Heather Mandin - Virtual One Month Unlimited Pass

  • Amy Gutwk - Limited Edition 40 Day Tank

  • Alana Frogley - Virtual 5 Class Pass

  • Ting Li - 1 Piece of Lion Gear of Your Choice!

Expect an email from us shortly to arrange how we can get your gifts to you!

And stay tuned, we will be announcing another 7 winners after next week’s final wrap-up!

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Looking for a sweet lion mat? We’ve got them in stock in a few different colours right now!

Click through below to our online store and order yours now!

GET YOUR LION MAT!

Missed last night’s wrap-up practice with Ryan Leier + Sophie Trudeau?
Click below to replay, available until Thursday at midnight PST.

REPLAY WRAP-UP ROUND 1

40 Day Pass Extension:

As a 40 day participant, regardless of when you joined, y’all have access to classes until February 16th.

Having trouble booking classes past February 9th?

  1. Open a web browser, and log-in to Mindbody

  2. Click the link below, which will take you to a sale confirmation page

  3. Click check out, and place order and you will activate your pass extension. *note: your cart total should be for $0!

Please reach out to vancouver@oneyoga.ca if you have any trouble with this process.

PASS EXTENSION

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Wednesday February 10th
8-9am PST Vinyasa with Kiyah Leier-Marshall
4-5pm PST Vinyasa with Vanessa Bourget
6-7:15pm PST Vinyasa with Risto Duggan

Tomorrow, Thursday February 11th
7-8am PST Vinyasa with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau
9-10am PST Vinyasa en Español with Sandra Jara
12-1pm PST Vinyasa with Mari Dickey
4-5pm PST Vinyasa with Christie Baumgartner
6-7pm PST Spa Flow with Carolyn Budgell

Day 40

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Day 40 Is Here!

Round 1 of the the 40 days may be over, but the practice isn’t. Keep on moving. We have 7 more days for the people who finished these 40, and 7 more for those of you who are finishing yours. Even if you are complete with your 40 days, keep practicing with us this week.

Check out Ryan’s story and make sure to make it through to the end because we have exciting announcements for you.

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A Case of Mistaken Identity or A Lion’s Roar

(Ryan’s version of a Vedantic tale shared by Vivekananda, Osho and other teachers)


“Baaaa Baaaa!” Bleated the lion.

Yes, you read it correctly.  There once was a lion who thought he was a sheep…

 

Nothing against sheep, but I wonder why do we often follow the flock agreeing with everyone else, when we know things are not the way they should be?  Why do we give up our power to make decisions and go along with the crowd?  Why do we bleat at injustice, hate, ignorance when we really should be roaring?

 

Having lost his mother at birth.  The lion cub grew up by accident amongst the sheep grazing and bleating like them.  He always felt that he was different, but accepted that he was one of the sheep.  The young lion-sheep grew up to be big and strong, but continued to follow along with the others, eating grass, walking and bleating like the rest of the flock.  His life was comfortable, but rather dull, lifeless and boring.  But he knew in his lion heart that something was missing. 

 

One day an old lion came from the wild jungle to the tame pasture.  All the terrified sheep ran to hide.  The old lion was astounded to see the what looked like a lion with the sheep.  The lion-sheep run away and hide behind the barn!

 

“Why are you running from me?” The old lion asked.

“Baaa bad man.  Leave us bbbbbe!”  Bleated the the lion-sheep.

 

The old lion looked and listened with amazement.  

“Come with me.”  He said as he dragged the young lion-sheep to the lake. 

 

The lion-sheep wailed and wept all the way to the lake.  Once they arrived at the lake the old lion encouraged the lion-sheep to look into the water.

 

When he saw his reflection he suddenly roared like a lion!  The old lion said, maybe you should “go to your kingdom in the forest and enjoy the rest of your life. We are Kings.  I am just like you and you are just like me.”  In that moment the bleating was gone and the lion remained.  The old lion went on his way. 

 

The young lion walked confidently and humbly, but not sheepishly back to the flock to give thanks, he told his family of sheep that he would watch over them from the forest, and told them that he chose to be wild and free.


He had realized who he was and lived happily ever after in the forest, in his kingdom.

Don’t forget who you really are.  We are born with infinite potential. We have the power of Creator in our heart.  Roar!

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Osho says:

Daily Angel Oracle Card: Conditioning, from the Osho Zen Tarot, By Osho:

This card recalls an old Zen story, about a lion who was brought up by sheep and who thought he was a sheep until an old lion captured him and took him to a pond, where he showed him his own reflection. Many of us are like this lion – the image we have of ourselves comes not from our own direct experience but from the opinions of others. A “personality” imposed from the outside replaces the individuality that could have grown from within. We become just another sheep in the herd, unable to move freely and unconscious of our own true identity.

It is time to take a look at your own reflection in the pond, and make a move to break out of whatever you have been conditioned by others to believe about yourself. Dance, run, jog, do gibberish – whatever is needed to wake up the sleeping lion within. Unless you drop your personality you will not be able to find your individuality. Individuality is given by existence; personality is imposed by the society. Personality is social convenience.

Society cannot tolerate individuality, because individuality will not follow like a sheep. Individuality has the quality of the lion; the lion moves alone. The sheep are always in the crowd, hoping that being in the crowd will feel cozy. Being in the crowd one feels more protected, secure. If somebody attacks, there is every possibility in a crowd to save yourself. But alone? only the lions move alone.

And every one of you is born a lion, but the society goes on conditioning you, programming your mind as a sheep. It gives you a personality, a cozy personality, nice, very convenient, very obedient. Society wants slaves, not people who are absolutely dedicated to freedom. Society wants slaves because all the vested interests want obedience.

People who have been in search of truth have always gone in aloneness. And people who want to find the meaning of life have always gone into themselves, where nobody else can enter.

Aloneness outside, aloneness inside – and you have come to a point where you can roar like a lion. Of course, millions of sheep are going to be annoyed with you because they cannot roar like a lion, and they cannot soar like an eagle. They have been told just to believe in the crowd in which they have accidentally been born. A person who remains part of a crowd never attains his true individuality. He remains fake.

You have heard the expression which exists in almost all languages: a sheep hiding itself in a lion’s skin. These kinds of sayings are not out of the wisdom of centuries, they are out of the ignorance of centuries. I would like to put the proverb right: the truth is that you are a lion forced to live in the skin of a sheep.

And there is no need, and there is no place where you have to knock to find the blessed one. Yes, there is a space where the blessed one is already waiting for you, and it is within you. Neither Jesus nor anybody else can lead you there, only you. If you revolt from being a sheep and gather courage to roar like a lion and to move like a lion, you will be the blessed one.

Like the ocean is your god-self;

It remains for ever undefiled.

DAY 40!

Thank you, each and every one of you, for showing up and practicing. We were astounded to have over 700 movers from around the globe join us for the 40 Days of Practice.

We'd like to celebrate and commemorate our time together by giving back to our community. 

We have created a limited edition 40 Days of Practice Tank, and will be donating 40% of proceeds to Downtown Eastside Women’s Center here in Vancouver, BC.

PRE-ORDER YOUR TANK HERE

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40 Day Pass Extension:

As a 40 day participant, regardless of when you joined, y’all have access to classes until February 16th.

Having trouble booking classes past February 9th?

  1. Open a web browser, and log-in to Mindbody

  2. Click the link below, which will take you to a sale confirmation page

  3. Click check out, and place order and you will activate your pass extension. *note: your cart total should be for $0!

Please reach out to vancouver@oneyoga.ca if you have any trouble with this process.

PASS EXTENSION

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Tuesday February 9th
7-8am PST Karma Vinyasa with Blanca Moreno
4-6pm PST Wrap Up Round 1!!
with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau + Ryan Leier

Tomorrow, Wednesday February 10th
8-9am PST Vinyasa with Kiyah Leier-Marshall
4-5pm PST Vinyasa with Vanessa Bourget
6-7:15pm PST Vinyasa with Risto Duggan

Day 38

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The Heart of Yoga is The Heart of Many Spiritual Traditions

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Black Elk - Standing on top of Harney Peak the highest point in the Black Hills of South Dakota. “The Center of the Earth” ~ photo: John G. Neihardt

The Yogi T Krishnamacharya spoke of the Hridaya (the cave of the Heart), located to the right of the physical heart where the Atma (Soul) resides. The yogis maintain that through meditation one may meet the Self in the cave of the heart.

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The medicine man, mystic, Heyoka Black Elk often referred to The Heart and The Eye of The Heart with his teachings...

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Black Elk prays, “that we may not see only with our two eyes, but with The One Eye of The Heart (Chante Ishta) in which we see and know all that is true and good.”

“I am blind and do not see the things of this world; but when The Light comes from Above, it enlightens my heart and I can see, for The Eye of my heart (Chante Ista) sees everything; and through this vision I can help my people. The Heart is a sanctuary at the center of which there is a little space, wherein The Great Spirit (Wakan-Tanka) dwells, and this is The Eye (Ista). This is The Eye of The Great Spirit by which He sees all things, and through which we see Him. If the heart is not pure, the Great Spirit cannot be seen, and if you should die in this ignorance, your soul shall not return immediately to Wakan-Tanka, but it must be purified by wandering about in the world. In order to know the center of the heart in which is the Mind of Wakan-Tanka, you must be pure and good, and live in the manner that Wakan-Tanka has taught us. The man who is thus pure contains the Universe within the Pocket of his heart (Chante Ognaka).”
~ Black Elk – The Sacred Pipe

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Black Elk’s Spirit Journey Home

“Truly listening means we can receive from any source - from great teachers, or from an acquaintance or a complete stranger, even from an animal, a plant, a mountain” (~ T.K.V. Desikachar). In effect we can learn from everyone and everything. And of course, that includes ourselves.

However, the most important source is within us, not outside. “Learning to listen is the most important step towards being ready for meeting the ‘special source’ that resides in our heart. But it is not always easy. The more we think we know something, the less we tend to listen” (~ T.K.V. Desikachar). Somehow or other, we have seemingly lost our connection, our link, with our own heart.
~Tomas Downey – “What Are We Seeking” by T.K.V. Desikachar 

“In the spiritual traditions of India, as elsewhere, the ‘heart’ refers not so much to the physical organ as to a psychospiritual structure corresponding to the heart muscle on the material plane. This spiritual heart is celebrated by yogins and mystics as the seat of the transcendental Self. It is called hrid, hridaya, or hrit-padma (‘heart lotus’). It is often referred to as the secret ‘cave’ (guha) in which the yogin must restrain his mind. In some schools, notably Kashmiri Shaivism, the word hridaya applies also to the ultimate Reality.”
~ Georg Feuerstein – Encyclopedia of Yoga

Get into your heart with Thom Yorke:

RADIOHEAD - LOTUS FLOWER

40 Day Pass Extension:
As a 40 day participant, regardless of when you joined, y’all have access to classes until February 16th.
Having trouble booking classes past February 9th?

  1. Open a web browser, and log-in to Mindbody

  2. Click the link below, which will take you to a sale confirmation page

  3. Click check out, and place order and you will activate your pass extension. *note: your cart total should be for $0!

Please reach out to vancouver@oneyoga.ca if you have any trouble with this process.

PASS EXTENSION

Missed Malina Dawn’s Sunday Session, The Sutras: A 21st Century Conversation?
Click the link below to replay, valid until Monday at midnight PST.
*please note, due to a little technical glitch there is a part 1 and part 2 this week!

REPLAY MALINA DAWN’S SUNDAY SESSION - PART 1

REPLAY MALINA DAWN’S SUNDAY SESSION - PART 2

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Sunday February 7th
8-9:30am PST Sunday Session:
The Sutras: A 21st Century Conversation with Malina Dawn
10-11am PST Vinyasa with Sarah Manwaring
12-1pm PST Vinyasa with Mari Dickey
6-7:15pm PST Active Yin with Risto Duggan

Tomorrow, Monday February 8th
7:45-8:30 PST Power Flow with Amy Chalmers
9-10am PST Vinyasa with Tyler Rentmeister
6-7:15pm PST Slow Flow + Restore with Ariffa Lalani

Heads up! Wrap Up Round 1: Tuesday February 9th
with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau + Ryan Leier

Day 37

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Baron Baptiste in Natarajasana
(Lord of the Dance Posture)

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When I was started to dive deeper into yoga, one of my first steps was to visit the local library. I borrowed two books, Mr. Iyengar’s Light on Yoga and Baron Baptiste’s Journey Into Power. Inspired by what I read, I knew I had to meet these inspiring teachers. I haven’t looked back since.

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Since 2006 Baron has been my teacher; He has also become a mentor and friend. We’ve spent time together in Hawaii, Iceland, Europe, the US and Canada. I’m so grateful for all the medicine over the years..

So much of what he practices and teaches aligns perfectly with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

40 Sutras For The 40 Days:
My “Yogi Sutras Of Baron”

Truth Is. (Sat Nam)

Defy the Impossible.

Go from a human being doing yoga, to a human being yoga.

Yoga is the art of listening.

In order to heal, you must feel.

Be like Moses at the Red Sea, realize you are in over your head by yourself and give it up to God.

Come as you are, not as what you think you should be.

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.

The breath is the key to unlocking your body’s potential.

A transformed person is someone that can tell the truth.

If not you, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?

Willpower comes from your intellect, but soul force is powered by your connection to the infinite universe.

The Latin root of universe is "uni" which means "one", and "verse" which means "passage", "one passage"; I take that to mean that each of us has our own authentic path.

Try easy, it means that you go from seeking a better pose to just being in it. If you relax and stop resisting and reacting, you'll just know what you need to do in the pose.

Make yourself light.

Take your poses seriously, but take yourself. Smile to yourself; laugh inside.

Staying focused on what you cannot do prevents you from discovering what you can do.

If you can, you must.

Drop what you know.

Think less, be more.

There is nothing to fix.

If you don’t stand for something, you fall for anything.

I'm not teaching you anything you don't already know somewhere deep within your being. Your genetic systems are encoded with this knowledge. My role is to awaken you to what you have simply forgotten along the way.

You are either now here or no where.

The greatest source of natural power we have available to us is being ourselves.

Journey into Power is about excavating the amazing, radiant self already inside you. Within you is a power that is already perfect, and the true essence of seeking on this journey is accepting.

Be a drop, a stream, or a raging river—it doesn’t matter which form you take, as long as you remain in the flow.

When you focus on the problems, you get more of the same. What you focus on you create.

Transformation comes not by adding things on but by removing what didn’t belong in the first place.

The pose begins when you want to get out of it.

If you’ve always done what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.

The work you do on the mat facilitates your whole life.

Choose not to struggle.

Wandering eyes equal a wandering mind; focused eyes equal a focused mind.

The deeper aim of the practice is not to solve problems, and that there is, in fact, nothing to fix.

Come as you are, not as what you think you should be.

Acceptance of what is and is not happening - in a pose as in life - creates peace.

You are already whole and complete.

Ultimately, yoga is about creating Space: space within your spine; space within those secret pockets of tightness; space between your muscle fibers, bones, and joints; space between your doubts and beliefs; space between your emotions and reactions; and most important, space between your ears.

In this space of LOVE all things are possible.

If you love yoga I would highly recommend getting Baron’s book, Journey Into Power.

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Wasn’t able to attend Ryan’s class yesterday evening? Follow the link below to replay, valid until Saturday at midnight PST.

YOGAFY WITH RYAN

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Saturday February 6th
8-9am PST Vinyasa with Mara Branscombe
12-1pm PST Spa Flow with Peter Elmas
4-6pm PST Vinyasa with Risto Duggan
6-7:15pm PST Yin with Malina Dawn

Tomorrow, Sunday February 7th
8-9:30am PST Sunday Session:
The Sutras: A 21st Century Conversation with Malina Dawn
10-11am PST Vinyasa with Sarah Manwaring
12-1pm PST Vinyasa with Mari Dickey
6-7:15pm PST Active Yin with Risto Dugan

Day 36

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Dance.

“In many shamanic societies, if you came to a medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions: “When did you stop dancing? When did you stop singing? When did you stop being enchanted by stories? When did you stop being comforted by the sweet territory of silence?”
— Gabrielle Roth
“Dance, when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you’re perfectly free.”
— Rumi

Check out Christopher Walken’s Weapon of Choice:

CLICK HERE TO SEE CHRISTOPHER WALKEN’S WEAPON OF CHOICE

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P.S. Rumour has it, tonight’s class with Ryan will end with a dance party!

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Friday February 5th
7-8am PST Vinyasa with Guest Teacher Sarah Harvison
10-11am PST Vinyasa with Peter Elmas
4-6pm PST Vinyasa + Talk with Ryan Leier

Tomorrow, Saturday February 6th
8-9am PST Vinyasa with Mara Branscombe
12-1pm PST Spa Flow with Peter Elmas
4-6pm PST Vinyasa with Risto Duggan
6-7:15pm PST Yin with Malina Dawn

Day 35

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While a young boy, the Gandhi’s house maid Rambha, assured Mohandas that Rama Nama (name of God Rama) would be his shield, whatever may be the dangers he would face in life.

Mantra helped Gandhi conquer not only illusionary fears arising out of dark, stormy nights, but also real struggles, life and death situations facing humanity and Indian Independence. Mohandas K. Gandhi made Mantra his strength and weapon.

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Mohandas Gandhi was a fear-obsessed little boy with big eyes and mammoth ears that stood out almost at right angles from his body. He was terrified of the dark, and, as he said, “haunted by the fear of thieves, ghosts, and serpents.” He could not bear to be in a room alone and could not sleep at night without a light on nearby. Gandhi himself, later in life, acknowledged that as a boy he had been, in his own words, a “coward.”

And yet, the later Gandhi was fearless. He was renowned, not only for his great moral courage, but for physical courage as well. A central pillar of his later teaching was that fearlessness is a prerequisite for non-violence. “Non-violence and cowardice go ill together,” he said. It is fascinating, then, to dig down into the story of Gandhi’s mastery of his fear. How did he accomplish it?

Gandhi himself often told the story. It turns out that as a boy he was under the care of an old family servant named Rambha. Rambha was touched—and somewhat irritated—by this scrawny kid who came running to her in tears every day after school—pummeled once again by the bullies. She was going to put an end to this.

“It’s perfectly all right to admit that you’re afraid,” she said. “There’s no shame in fear. But try this: whenever you’re threatened, instead of running away, stand firm, and repeat the mantra, Rama, Rama, Rama. This will turn your fear into courage.” Rama, of course, is one of the many names of God in the Hindu tradition—and so both the word itself, as well as the process of its repetition, had magic in it.

Gandhi-the-boy tried the technique halfheartedly. He found it useful. But he did not discover its true genius until a decade later when Gandhi-the-man was beginning his work with non-violent non-cooperation in South Africa.

In the stress of those years he remembered Rambha’s advice and put it to work in earnest. He began to practice the mantra, chanting Rama, Rama, Rama over and over again to himself—both aloud and silently. The mantra eased his fear—calmed his mind and body. He began to rely on it, and eventually began to systematically practice chanting mantra not just in extremis but as a part of his regular daily schedule.

For a period of time after this discovery, Gandhi walked many miles each day, repeating the mantra to himself until it began to coordinate itself with the movement of his body and breath. The practice not only calmed him but brought him into periods of bliss and rapture—and, as he said, “opened the doorway to God.” Rama, Rama, Rama. Eventually, the mantra developed a life of its own within him. The mantra began to chant itself, arising spontaneously whenever he needed it. “The mantra becomes one’s staff of life,” he wrote, “and carries one through every ordeal...Each repetition…has a new meaning, each repetition carries you nearer and nearer to God.”

~ The Great Work of Your Life, by Stephen Cope

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THE POWER OF MANTRA

How important was mantra to Gandhi’s transformation? Extremely. When done systematically, mantra has a powerful effect on the brain. It gathers and focuses the energy of the mind. It teaches the mind to focus on one point—and it cultivates a steadiness, which over time becomes an unshakable evenness of temper. The cultivation of this quality of “evenness” is a central principle of the Bhagavad Gita. It is called samatva in Sanskrit, and it is a central pillar of Krishna’s practice. When the mind develops steadiness, teaches Krishna, it is not shaken by fear or greed.

This is exactly how Gandhi did die, of course. Gandhi, then 78 years old, was in Delhi, working—as ever—for unity. He had had a particularly busy day and as he was hurrying to evening prayers, arm in arm with two young disciples, a young man approached him, offered him a gesture of respect, and then fired a gun point-blank into his heart.

As the Great Soul crumpled to the ground, his mantra emerged spontaneously from his lips: Rama, Rama, Rama.

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Thursday February 4th
7-8am PST Karma Vinyasa with Natalie St. Hilaire
9-10am PST Vinyasa en Español with Sandra Jara
12-1pm PST Vinyasa with Mari Dickey
4-5pm PST Vinyasa with Christie Baumgartner
6-7pm PST Spa Flow with Carolyn Budgell

Tomorrow, Friday February 5th
7-8am PST Vinyasa with Guest Teacher Sarah Harvison
10-11am PST Vinyasa with Peter Elmas
4-6pm PST Vinyasa + Talk with Ryan Leier

Day 31

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Surya Namaskara

Surya - Sun

Namaskar - Salutation or Greeting

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Many different schools and teachers of yoga recommend practicing Surya Namaskar for mental, physical, and spiritual fitness. It is traditionally practiced with the rising sun, facing east.  Below you will find a few different ways to experience the salutes.  Which way is the right way?  Ganesha knows, but I don’t!

To help to treat my depression, I was asked by my teacher to do at least 3 Surya Namaskara’s a day.  Another teacher recommended at least 12 a day.  I practice it as thanksgiving for the sun, and also as a way to generate energy (heat and light). 

Indra Devi says of the Sun-greeting exercise:

“A grown person who has learned to perform the Surya Namaskar may do about 25 rounds daily to being in with. The number of round may then be gradually increased-some people get up to as many as 300 rounds a day. After the age of 65 or 70, however, it is wise to adjust the number of repetitions to the body’s capacity.”

In my studies with Srivatsa Ramaswami we often do 108 rounds on Sundays...

Contrary to the  popular belief of contemporary yogis, Surya namaskar can perhaps be traced back to the epic Ramayana where the hero Sri Rama, during his 14-year-old exile, wandered to the hermitage of the sage Agastya with wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, the sage became his father-figure and source of guidance. Rama struggled with depression and despair and wearied from shooting arrows in vain at the demon king Ravana. To help, Sage Agastya chanted a mantra/prayer to the sun god, Surya. Some believe that the Sage taught Rama the Surya Namaskar moments and it that it gave him immense power of the sun to get ensure his victory over the demon. 

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And since we discussed Hanuman last week I wanted to share one more belief about the origin of the Sun Salutation, via Carla Wainwright:

Another  mythology surrounding Surya Namaskar and the monkey warrior god Hanuman (from the Ramayana. Often the myths and the corresponding feelings and images they evoke create a much deeper resonance with the practice. This story certainly did that for me.

Hanuman was born with supernatural powers, which included a voracious appetite as a child. Being constantly hungry, he was always searching for food. One day when his mother was out, he looked up at the sun, Surya, and mistook it for a ripe, juicy mango. Taking an incredible leap into the sky, Hanuman grabbed the sun and started to eat it. But in that moment, the earth became covered in darkness – which caused all the other deities to become concerned. He was asked to release Surya, but he stubbornly refused. Only after having his jaw broken, was the sun released back into the sky.

As Hanuman grew, his mother decided that he needed an education. His mother approached Surya asking if he would tutor her child. The sun refused, remembering the past transgression, but also saying that it was impossible for him to teach the boy as he was constantly on the move. Hanuman insisted that he would be able to keep up with Surya and so the sun agreed faithfully shared all his wisdom with Hanuman. In gratitude, Hanuman offered to pay Surya his ‘guru dakshina’ which is the customary offering to the teacher. However, Surya refused. So Hanuman decided to honour his guru through the practice of Surya Namaskar – imitating his movements across the sky each and every day.

Today Surya Namaskar is practiced in many variations. Traditionally mantras accompany each of the 12 positions, with each mantra honouring the 12 zodiac signs in Hindu astrology and the 12 sound syllables containing the Shakti (energy) represented by the sun. Below is an image of the positions as well as the mantras. Perhaps this June 21st, the Summer Solstice, take some time to slowly move through each of the poses repeating the mantra and visualizing the sun shining its eternal light upon you. Even better, practice outside. A beautiful way to pay homage to the life force of the sun and to feel its Shakti energy within you. Enjoy!

Missed this morning’s Sunday Session with Peter Elmas? Click the link below to watch the replay, valid until midnight PST, Monday.

SUNDAY SESSION: PRANAYAMA WITH PETER ELMAS

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Sunday January 31st
8-9:30am PST Sunday Session: Pranayama with Peter Elmas
10-11am PST Vinyasa with Sarah Manwaring
12-1:15pm PST Vinyasa with Mari Dickey
6-7:15pm PST Active Yin with Risto Duggan

Tomorrow, Monday February 1st
7:45-8:30am PST Power Flow with Amy Chalmers
9-10am PST Vinyasa with Gicelle Magloire-Mayers
6-7:15pm PST Slow Flow + Restore with Ariffa Lalani

Day 29

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BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE

“I consider myself a yogi, but of a totally different kind; not a physical yoga person, the yoke that I have chosen that’s led me through show business, it didn’t originate there and that’s not its final destination. It’s the idea, the mystic idea of joining with the creator. Even the Christian Bible says that we were made in the image of the creator. For me, that’s the green light for creativity.”
— Buffy Sainte-Marie

One of my hero’s is Buffy St Marie. I admire her for her creativity, resilience, honesty, humour, humbly, positivity among other things. She had a very difficult upbringing, was blacklisted by the FBI and never stopped creating and serving the Creator. Instead of attacking another person's beliefs, Buffy says that she tries to model something else they could fall in love with and believe in. I have fallen in love...

While she does call people out, she calls people in, which is something I believe yoga communities could do a much better job of doing. Buffy believes that we are constantly evolving, ripening, becoming - and that idea is the foundation of her 'forgiving' approach.

"As each of us learns and ripens, we affect everything around ourselves. I believe it's true even for the guys we love to hate. Pick someone you don't like... even that person is ripening.”

“Instead of attacking my friends atheists and the greedy I find ways to model other things that they fall in love with. Not enough of us model what we truly believe... I don't like to despair. It's uncomfortable. It kind of hurts to despair. So instead of despairing, I try to do things about it.” Buffy is practical and passionate, “ And I believe in nonviolence. It doesn’t do us any good to just hate on the oil people—we have to find ways to settle things, like convincing them to reinvest in clean energy. Aboriginal people are practical—that’s how we survived.”

Her Cree heritage and ties to the Baha'i faith have created a charming take on spirituality. She believes there is a strong link between the sublime and creativity.

"If we're made in the image of the Creator, what that means to me is that we're creative. That's our green light for creativity. And the purpose and the sum total of our lives has to do with our creativity.  Spirituality is really connected to my own personal creativity in the arts.. Everybody's creative. We create our songs and our paintings, our families and our children. Every one of us is on the cutting edge of the future...”

Thank you Buffy St. Marie!

“I look in any direction and take heart.  I manage to keep my nose on the joy trail.  Follow your heart.  Have courage...”

Artwork by Buffy Sainte-Marie

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See more of Buffy’s artwork here:

For those who want to experience more Buffy, here are my top 5 songs:

It’s My Way

We Are Circling

Universal Soldier

Circle Game

Carry It On

You can find Buffy on Spotify here:

BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE ON SPOTIFY

Here is my favourite interview with Buffy and what she believes:

INTERVIEW WITH BUFFY

Here is a great blog post on her courageousness:

BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE IS A COURAGEOUS VOICE

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Friday January 29th
10-11am PST Vinyasa with Peter Elmas
4-6pm PST Vinyasa + Talk with Ryan Leier

Tomorrow, Saturday January 30th
8-9am PST Vinyasa with Guest Teacher Natasha Perkins
12-1pm PST Spa Flow with Vanessa Bourget
4-5pm PST Vinyasa with Risto Duggan
6-7:15pm PST Yin with Malina Dawn

Day 28

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In The Qur’an, the prophet Muhammad is referred to as ‘Mercy to Mankind’ (chapter 21: verse 107). Many believe he was sent to practice tolerance, compassion, kindness and gentleness to the people – an extension of the qualities of God, who has these qualities in their fullest form. Each chapter in the Qu’ran introduces God as the Most Merciful.

“Verily in the Messenger of God, you have a good example”
— 33:6

I found this story in Aadil Palkhivala’s beautiful book about life, love and yoga:

The Fire of Love

Every day at the same time, the religious leader would walk through the town. As he traveled the same route each day, his followers trailed behind. One day, as they were walking through a narrow street in a poorer part of town, an upper-story window flew open. A woman leaned out of the window and shouted insults at the leader. She then dumped a bucket of garbage on him. Anger surged through the followers like an electric current. They shouted angrily and started moving toward the stairs in order to subdue the woman and avenge their leader. The leader thrust out his arms to stop them. He then said calmly, "My religion is one of peace. Come. Walk with me."

Carefully he wiped the garbage from his head and shoulders, and then peacefully walked on as if nothing had happened. The followers were again walking through the same part of town. As they approached the place where the incident had occurred the day before, the shutters flew open. The same woman leaned out of the window and dumped insults and garbage upon the leader, just as she had done the day before. The followers were now livid with anger, their repressed rage having simmered for a full day. Yet once again, the leader smiled gently, as if he had been expecting this to happen. Again, he held out his hands to restrain his followers and simply said, "My religion is one of peace, of brotherhood. Come. Walk with me." 

The followers were incredulous. They could not understand how the leader could willingly accept such abuse a second time. But they reluctantly consented to their leader's wishes and fell in tow. The next day, the same thing happened, and the next, and the next, and the next. And so it went. The leader bore the brunt of the anger and hatred of the woman on the upper floor, while the followers continued to be perplexed by his gentle acceptance. One day, they were walking down the same alley, and as they passed that now-familiar window, no shutters flew open, no insults were hurled, and no garbage descended. The leader stopped. He turned to his followers, and, as if talking to himself, wondered aloud, "Yesterday she looked pale. I think she is sick, and that is why she has not come to the window." To the astonishment of his followers, the leader walked upstairs and knocked on the door of the woman's apartment. A servant came to the door. The leader asked about the welfare of the lady who lived there, and the servant confirmed that the woman was indeed ill and in bed.

The leader then went to her bedside, held her hand, and comforted her. He sat beside her for a long time, stroking her hand and soothing her pain. He then sent for a doctor, and when he felt certain that she was well taken care of, he left and resumed walking down the street with his followers. Each day thereafter, he visited the woman and cared for her. She was initially full of distrust. As the days passed, her suspicions began to melt away. She realized this was no ordinary man. When she was finally well, she bowed to him and said, "I am deeply sorry. You are truly a great leader - nay, you are a prophet. I accept your faith, and I am deeply humbled by your might equanimity and your immovable peace."

This woman became one of the most ardent devotees of the leader whom history remembers as the great prophet Mohammed. In this lovely story, prophet Mohammed embodies the unshakeable inner peace that keeps us sane when life seems to be dropping garbage and insults on our weary heads. (I cannot verify this story of the prophet as being true, though it brought me to tears, and helped me to truly respect him. It was told to me by a family member to explain what a great and peaceful man the prophet Mohammed really was.) Peace is the inner awareness that, despite it all, everything is in its places. Peace of mind keeps us afloat when wild waves buffet our fragile boat. It is peace that allows us to sleep well at night. It is peace that creates the inner knowing that no effort is in vain. Indeed, even physical healing happens only when our nerves are calm and we are at peace.

By meditating or practicing yoga, we should not merely seek the peace that a wise practice inevitably leaves in its wake. Peace is not an end unto itself, just a means. When our mind is at peace, we can listen to our heart, realize our dharma, and then act upon it. A troubled, turbulent mind can hardly see itself objectively or fathom the purpose for its creation. Hence, cultivating peace of mind helps us discover the purpose for our existence. Peace must not simply serve our desire for comfort; it must serve our dharma. So find peace, yet reject peace. Strive for purposeful peace, while discarding the lethargic peace that prevents you from actively living your dharma.

~ Aadil Palkhivala 

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Rumi’s poem about the prophet Muhammad’s son in Ali ibn Abi Talib:

Ali in Battle

Learn from Ali how to fight
without your Ego participating.

God’s Lion did nothing
that did not originate
from his deep center.

Once in battle he got the best of a certain knight
and quickly drew his sword. The man,
helpless on the ground, spat
in Ali’s face. Ali dropped his sword, 
relaxed, and helped the man to his feet.

“Why have you spared me?
How has lightning contracted back
into its cloud? Speak, my prince,
so that my soul can begin to stir 
in me like an embryo.”

Ali was quiet then finally answered, 
“I am God’s Lion, not the lion of passion.
The sun is my lord. I have no longing 
except for the One.

When a wind of personal reaction comes,
I do not go along with it.

There are many winds full of anger,
and lust and greed. They move the rubbish
around, but the solid mountain of our true nature
stays where it’s always been.

There’s nothing now
except the divine qualities.
Come through the opening into me.

Your impudence was better than any reverence,
because in this moment I am you and you are me.

I give you this opened heart as God gives gifts:
the poison of your spit has become 
the honey of friendship.”

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Thursday January 28th
7-8am PST Karma Vinyasa with Blake Culbert
9-10am PST Vinyasa en Español with Sandra Jara
12-1pm PST Vinyasa with Mari Dickey
4-5pm PST Vinyasa with Christie Baumgartner
6-7pm PST Spa Flow with Sarah Manwaring

Today, Friday January 29th
10-11am PST Vinyasa with Peter Elmas
4-6pm PST Vinyasa + Talk with Ryan Leier