Yoga Articles

My Interpretation – Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ

Prior to joining YTTC,   I knew yoga meant union and I took it to mean union of the mind and body. I saw yogis on social media always preaching love and compassion but I did not know the origins of those teachings. I thought it was just part of yoga marketing.

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I asked the ayurvedic doctor in Kerala, “So how does the practice of yoga tie in with ayurvedic treatments?” I was curious to know why they claimed that ayurvedic medicine tied in with yoga practice. At the health village in Kerala, hatha yoga sessions were led by a master daily

Jesus was a Yogi

I have the following opinion: that although yoga is a spiritual path, it does not have to be a religious one. There are a variety of viewpoints on this matter, some contentious.  I believe, however, that the ethical precepts espoused by Patañjali, for example: the yamas and niyamas, are universal in nature

Yoga is so much more.

By week 4 of Yoga Teacher Training we have established that yoga is so much more than just asanas. But what does it mean? Yoga teacher training is tough, But not for the reasons you would think. When I tell people YTT is tough, they think about the Asanas (arm

What is Yoga to me and what can you combine Yoga with?

Yoga is like choreography, we move gracefully like a dancer, with the precision of a fencer. This idea is really beautiful to me, as a Latin ballroom dancer back in university, I can relate to the graceful lines and rhythm of a dancer, whether it is with samba music or

追求身心平衡的瑜伽

瑜伽,一個來自於古印度文化的修身養習術,因為在美國廣泛地流行,進而被推展至世界各地,尤其在經濟已開發國家,無人不知無人不曉,即使不懂得瑜伽術之人,亦略知一二。 目前一般人對於瑜伽的看法都只停留在健身減肥的運動而已,而事實上,瑜伽術含括的層面遠遠超越於此。從體能到心理的連結、從心理到精神層面的連結,而獲得全神專注、自我感知、控制平衡…等能力的好處,會在身體上、情緒上、精神上獲得回饋,這種瑜伽的大智慧,讓身體及心智雙重提昇,可以是說是受益無窮。 瑜伽從外科解剖醫學的角度來剖析運動,具有科學性。一方面兼顧如何避免運動傷害,另一方面還可得到有效的復健。 從內科醫學的角度觀看,包含呼吸、消化、循環、內分泌、排泄、神經糸統等。瑜伽術獨特的姿勢,如:後仰、前彎、旋轉或伸展的運動中,說明具有剌激臟器機能及按摩的作用,提高自律神經的功能。再配合飲食,呼吸訓練,心靈的淨化,由淺入深,循序漸進地方式容入於生活中,成為生活中的一部份。 從精神醫學層面來看,能降低憂慮、慾念,及精神負擔,且減緩情緒的波動,從而調節並且達到內心平靜,排除紛繁的思緒,以達到心靈的修養。 瑜伽的涵蓋面非常廣,依照練習者所需,從中汲取。瑜伽不是宗教,而是大自然和人類心靈底層聲音的結合,而產生的共鳴。瑜伽宛若一門生活的藝術,一種大自然與人相互結合的橋梁。透過瑜伽的身體力行,獲得心靈的提昇,了解生命的奧妙,進而知足常樂,感恩惜福。     Shu-Man200TTC Weekday(Jan/Feb14)  

What is Yoga for you?

What is Yoga for you? Yoga for me was always a sanctuary where I could disappear for a few hours, away from my hectic work where no one could find me, I was invisible…if only for a fraction of my day. Over the years it has become an important part

Sirsasana or the Headstand in my very personal interpretation

This is basically the story of how I went through it or better of the quarrel between my brave me and my CRAZY, LAZY, COVARD me. All started when the first day the teachers said: and now let’s do the headstand. I’M NOT DOING IT, THEY’RE CRAZY IF THEY THINK

Elevator Pitch for Yoga

In the consulting world there’s a term called the “Elevator Pitch”. Imagine you’re standing in an elevator. When the doors open, someone walks in. You glance at his face. Suddenly, you realise this is someone really important. For the next 30 to 60 seconds, it’s just you and him in

Is Yoga to Hinduism as English to Catholicism?

It was not too many generations ago in Singapore when immigrant parents from China viewed the English language with great suspicion. It was the language which promised a better future for their offspring, perhaps a chance at a white collared career so difficult to come by in those days, but

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