Category: Yoga

Yoga related articles.

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Svadhyaya, The Discovery of Self – A Powerful Yogic Practice

By Nora Reda

In one of the most quoted books on yoga, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the term svadhyaya is put into context in the second chapter (pada), under the term kriyayoga. Kriya means action and so the practice points to eight yogic disciplines that are further organized into three tiers within which the practices come in pairs. The first two tiers encompass spiritual practices (tapas): yama and niyama or ethical disciplines; asana and pranayama or posture and breath. In the second tier there is pratyahara and dharana or the withdrawal of the senses and focus, which fall under self-study or svadhyaya. The third tier is dhyana and samadhi, which are the vehicles to complete surrender of the individual self to the Universal Spirit, or God (Isvara pranidhana).

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The Genuine Nature of Asana

By Nora Reda

Integration

The practice of yoga doesn’t necessarily start with asana (posture). Physical practice was originally a vehicle that carried the body to a level of agility that enabled the practitioner to sit in meditative posture for extended periods of time. Practice, as a whole, is intended for integrating the movements with the breath and focusing the mind on both of those actions. Instead of focusing merely on a physical performance, the inquisitive practitioner immerses him or herself in the quality of the breath and the qualities of the mind as he or she attempts and maintains the asanas. 

The Meaning of “Asana”

According to T.K.V. Desikachar, son of yoga guru Sri Krishnamacharya, the word asana translates as “to sit”, “to stay”, “to be established in a particular position”. Yet practice means to move in a flow-like sequence and, while doing so, be in the moment, moment to moment. This harmony of motion and mind gives yoga asana practice its meditative quality. In other words what we feel in asana is much more important than how we perceive or care how others might perceive what we do on the mat. 

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My Spin on Meditation

By Alexis Louise Reda

Perhaps what repels people from practicing meditation at all or with a degree of regularity is that they have expectations about what it should be. In other words… You think there is a precise way to do it and you don’t know how; or you fear you won’t get it or that it will be hard or take too much time to get into it; or in that case, you just don’t wanna research it because you’re afraid that even then you can never be certain that you’re getting it right. I know, I’m blabbering on… BUT THIS IS HOW OUR MINDS SOUND LIKE! 

Yes. It’s normal. 

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Yogic Breath vs. Habitual Breathing

By Nora Reda

Yoga practice has been known for its seemingly supernatural powers. But in reality, anyone can learn and benefit from its healing properties. We all know that breathing keeps us alive and we may even have learnt a few things about its mechanics. It almost seems unnecessary to understand how we breathe since we do it automatically. It sustains us without too much effort from our part. But what is all the fuss about yoga breathing, then? How is it different from our habitual patterns and how is it useful?

One of my favorite quotations was said about the breath by T. Krishnamacharya: 

“Breath is central to yoga because it’s central to life…and Yoga is about life.”

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What is Therapeutic Yoga?

By Nora Reda

Yoga has been around for thousands of years. According to some sources it may be dated back to 10,000 years. One of the first written texts known as the Rig Veda, mentions the word yoga approximately 5,000 years ago. Originated in the Indus-Sarasvati civilization and passed down generation to generation yoga gradually evolved into a wholistic system of practices that allowed the individual to find what he was seeking.

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