Daily Practice Program - to be practices regularly for at least two weeks until thoroughly mastered before progressing.(Y&K, page 36)
Jala Neti
Goolf Ghoornan - Ankle Crank - 10 in each direction (both legs)
Ardha Titali Asana - Half Butterfly - 50 each leg
Shroni Chakra - Hip Rotation - 10 in each direction (both legs)
Utthanasana - Squat and Rise - 10 rounds
Kawa Chalasana -Crow Walking - practice for 3-5 minutes
Chakki Chalanasana - Churning the Mill - 10 in each direction
Gatyatmak Meru Vakrasana - Dynamic Spinal Twist - 20 rounds
Greeva Sanchalana - Gentle Neck Movements - 10 of each 3 stages
Naukasana - Boat Pose - 3 rounds
Shavasana - Corpse pose - 10 minutes
Pranayama - Full Yogic Breath - 10 minutes
details to follow
YG xxx
Monday, 8 November 2010
The start of a new journey
I have made the decision (not quickly or lightly) to start a fresh. Though I've been practicing yoga for over 10 years I want to start a new journey, as though I'm stepping on the mat for the first time. This is not to say that I'm going to disregard all the experiences I've had up to this point, no, in fact I intend to use my past experiences as a foundation for this new beginning.
I'll be honest with you, my yoga practice in these past few years has been undisciplined, sporadic and uninspiring. I thought I could use the excuse that I'm at University and that I simply don't have the time for anything let alone my yoga, but that is an out-and-out lie. I have a lot of time, in truth I probably have more time now then I've ever had, for both my academic studies as well as yogic studies but I simply don't use my time properly.
With the Celtic New Year (November 1st) I figured what better time to start a new way of living than now.
But how will I do it? Where on earth do I start?
Some time ago I bought Yoga and Kriya - A systematic course in the ancient tantric techniques by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. It is a HUGE book, I'm not kidding, with almost 1000 pages it gives a step-by-step guide to yoga and its miriad of practices. I bought this book as I thought it would be a tome of information that I could dip into when I needed (which it is and I have). For those who aren't familiar with Swami Satyananda Saraswati here is a link to give you some more information about him and Satyananda/ Bihar yoga.
I was introduced to the Bihar School of Yoga about 7 years ago and for me it is the only system of yoga that really embraces and openly teaches yoga in its absolute fullest form. Please don't get me wrong, I am by no means saying it is the best and all other forms of yoga are inferior, not at all, my background is in Iyengar Yoga and I have also had the pleasure to work with Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, DruYoga and even Bikram Yoga. All I'm saying is, for me, Bihar yoga gives me all that I'm searching for in yoga. It just resonates with me.
Anyway, my hope is to begin the lessons of this book in the way they have been presented and to share the practices and my journey with you.
Together forever in love and light
Yogini Genie xxx
I'll be honest with you, my yoga practice in these past few years has been undisciplined, sporadic and uninspiring. I thought I could use the excuse that I'm at University and that I simply don't have the time for anything let alone my yoga, but that is an out-and-out lie. I have a lot of time, in truth I probably have more time now then I've ever had, for both my academic studies as well as yogic studies but I simply don't use my time properly.
With the Celtic New Year (November 1st) I figured what better time to start a new way of living than now.
But how will I do it? Where on earth do I start?
Some time ago I bought Yoga and Kriya - A systematic course in the ancient tantric techniques by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. It is a HUGE book, I'm not kidding, with almost 1000 pages it gives a step-by-step guide to yoga and its miriad of practices. I bought this book as I thought it would be a tome of information that I could dip into when I needed (which it is and I have). For those who aren't familiar with Swami Satyananda Saraswati here is a link to give you some more information about him and Satyananda/ Bihar yoga.
I was introduced to the Bihar School of Yoga about 7 years ago and for me it is the only system of yoga that really embraces and openly teaches yoga in its absolute fullest form. Please don't get me wrong, I am by no means saying it is the best and all other forms of yoga are inferior, not at all, my background is in Iyengar Yoga and I have also had the pleasure to work with Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, DruYoga and even Bikram Yoga. All I'm saying is, for me, Bihar yoga gives me all that I'm searching for in yoga. It just resonates with me.
Anyway, my hope is to begin the lessons of this book in the way they have been presented and to share the practices and my journey with you.
Together forever in love and light
Yogini Genie xxx
Thursday, 7 October 2010
a difficult year
It's been a really challenging year and my intentions of keeping this blog going soon went by the way-side. I sadly lost my family friend Ellen, my uncle Cess and my dear friend and teacher Pam in May as well as my beautiful old cat Storm and my loving greyhound Ice.
In fact looking back over 2010 it all seems a little surreal and I really can't believe I'm still here and managing to keep my head above water, but as they say "what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger" I hope that's true.
Loosing my loved ones is indescribable, I miss them all so much and though my life is still full of blessings there are some big empty spaces which at the moment seem impossible to fill.
Together forever in love and light
The Yogine Genie x
In fact looking back over 2010 it all seems a little surreal and I really can't believe I'm still here and managing to keep my head above water, but as they say "what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger" I hope that's true.
Loosing my loved ones is indescribable, I miss them all so much and though my life is still full of blessings there are some big empty spaces which at the moment seem impossible to fill.
Together forever in love and light
The Yogine Genie x
Monday, 8 March 2010
Stirrings of Spring
It seems to have been a long and hard winter. The snow, as beautiful as it was, seemed to make the lingering stillness of the season that much more apparent. But the past week has shown signs of nature unfolding. Bright zesty Crocus pushing their way through the cold hard earth to the sun which is just beginning to bring warmth.
And with the stirring of spring I can begin to feel again. As though my emotions have been hidden deep within me waiting for a sun of their own.
I went to a chanting/kirtan circle on Friday night. There were only 5 of us at the circle but it was perfection. We all wrote peoples names into a little book for whom we wanted to send healing to then we settled in a small intimate circle and began to internalise our focus towards our breath and our heart-space or Anahata Chakra.We then chanted 108 Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and finished with call-and-response kirtan. It was so wonderful. Sharing is a beautiful practice.
The circle is organised by the dear, Namratadevi whom I met about 5 maybe 6 years ago when I started my foundation course with the British Wheel of Yoga. It was the first time I'd talked to anyone about Bhakti Yoga and about devotional living and the first time I could be open and really honest about myself, my beliefs and my need to make ritual and reverence part of my life.
Namratadevi was like a vision in orange when I saw her again on Friday. She is an inspiration to me and someone I respect very much. She is a blessing in my life and everytime I meet with her I am reminded that we are bestowed with the gifts to transform ourselves from the gross, physical level to something so much more if we just open our eyes a little more. Namratadevi is Guru to me, like others I have met in my life who have had an influence, both good and bad, who have shaped me and directed me to where I am so far.
Guru is a Sanskrit word, of two seed sounds.
Gu meaning Darkness and Ru meaning Light
and means
a teacher who lifts one from the darkness of ignorance into the light of liberation.
Though there are Great Guru's out there, Mahatma Gandhi or Jesus of Nazareth for example, I believe that anyone can help us learn our life's lessons from the nonchalant shop assistant who teaches us patience to the aggressive road-hog who teaches us calmness so be mindful of your thoughts, your words and your deeds as you could be a Guru in someone elses life
Forever together in love and light
The Yogini Genie
And with the stirring of spring I can begin to feel again. As though my emotions have been hidden deep within me waiting for a sun of their own.
I went to a chanting/kirtan circle on Friday night. There were only 5 of us at the circle but it was perfection. We all wrote peoples names into a little book for whom we wanted to send healing to then we settled in a small intimate circle and began to internalise our focus towards our breath and our heart-space or Anahata Chakra.We then chanted 108 Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and finished with call-and-response kirtan. It was so wonderful. Sharing is a beautiful practice.
The circle is organised by the dear, Namratadevi whom I met about 5 maybe 6 years ago when I started my foundation course with the British Wheel of Yoga. It was the first time I'd talked to anyone about Bhakti Yoga and about devotional living and the first time I could be open and really honest about myself, my beliefs and my need to make ritual and reverence part of my life.
Namratadevi was like a vision in orange when I saw her again on Friday. She is an inspiration to me and someone I respect very much. She is a blessing in my life and everytime I meet with her I am reminded that we are bestowed with the gifts to transform ourselves from the gross, physical level to something so much more if we just open our eyes a little more. Namratadevi is Guru to me, like others I have met in my life who have had an influence, both good and bad, who have shaped me and directed me to where I am so far.
Guru is a Sanskrit word, of two seed sounds.
Gu meaning Darkness and Ru meaning Light
and means
a teacher who lifts one from the darkness of ignorance into the light of liberation.
Though there are Great Guru's out there, Mahatma Gandhi or Jesus of Nazareth for example, I believe that anyone can help us learn our life's lessons from the nonchalant shop assistant who teaches us patience to the aggressive road-hog who teaches us calmness so be mindful of your thoughts, your words and your deeds as you could be a Guru in someone elses life
Forever together in love and light
The Yogini Genie
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
First post
Namaste, hello and welcome!!
This little place in the etherial web is a sanctuary for all, those new and old on the yogic path, those who just need a place to rest and replenish, those with a free-spirit and open heart or those who have simply got lost and have decided to pull up a zafu and take in the surroundings.
Where to start? first steps are always the most intrepid...
with the sun beaming in through the blinds, the dog sleeping at my feet and the expectations of summer pulling at my mind for me the best place to begin any journey is there...in the mind.
The power the mind has over every aspect of our lives is tangible, palpable but so elusive. Its like trying to catch a rain-drop and throw it back to the sky. The moment we touch it it's form has changed and it's gone forever.
In Yoga we hear and talk a lot about the mind, its influence on our health and happiness but for many of us brought up in this manic busy world we only see a valuable use of the mind as one of storage or mental prowess. We're always so consumed with what has happened or what we hope to happen that we neglect the mind in its most natural and contented state...the mind in the here-and-now.
Lets start today to take advantage of the present moment,
... stop for a few seconds (I know you can spare a few),
hold the past and future at arms length and say "hello" to your mind...
...watch your natural breath...
feel it pouring steadily in and out of your nostrils...
experience those quiet pauses between in and out breath...when time stops and comfortable silence expands...
allow yourself to be still and present ... immersed in the gift of now.
Go on! try it...you might even like it!
forever together in love and light
The Yogini Genie
This little place in the etherial web is a sanctuary for all, those new and old on the yogic path, those who just need a place to rest and replenish, those with a free-spirit and open heart or those who have simply got lost and have decided to pull up a zafu and take in the surroundings.
Where to start? first steps are always the most intrepid...
with the sun beaming in through the blinds, the dog sleeping at my feet and the expectations of summer pulling at my mind for me the best place to begin any journey is there...in the mind.
The power the mind has over every aspect of our lives is tangible, palpable but so elusive. Its like trying to catch a rain-drop and throw it back to the sky. The moment we touch it it's form has changed and it's gone forever.
In Yoga we hear and talk a lot about the mind, its influence on our health and happiness but for many of us brought up in this manic busy world we only see a valuable use of the mind as one of storage or mental prowess. We're always so consumed with what has happened or what we hope to happen that we neglect the mind in its most natural and contented state...the mind in the here-and-now.
Lets start today to take advantage of the present moment,
... stop for a few seconds (I know you can spare a few),
hold the past and future at arms length and say "hello" to your mind...
...watch your natural breath...
feel it pouring steadily in and out of your nostrils...
experience those quiet pauses between in and out breath...when time stops and comfortable silence expands...
allow yourself to be still and present ... immersed in the gift of now.
Go on! try it...you might even like it!
forever together in love and light
The Yogini Genie
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