Category Archives: Yoga Philosophy

Facebook, Community, and Joy–Found in Seattle

Those of you who are connected to me via Facebook may have noticed an increase in my postings there lately.  To be honest, I’m hooked.  I waste—or rather, invest—a couple of hours on it each day.  My activities are varied: … Continue reading

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Ahimsa in Life—Lessons from the Tasha Dog

Ahimsa—non-violence—is one of the most important concepts in yoga. In fact, the Yoga Sutras say it’s not just important; they say that ahimsa trumps all. In other words, when in doubt about what to do in any situation, act with … Continue reading

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Practicing Non-Attachment without Becoming Detached

The concepts of attachment and non-attachment are mentioned several times in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Asana, on the other hand, is only mentioned as a preparation for meditation.  So though most people think asana is the be-all and end-all … Continue reading

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My Hope for the New Year: A Full Well

I learned a Sanskrit chant in yoga teacher training many years ago: Om Purnam Adaha Purnam Idam Purnat Purnam Udachyate Purnasya Purnam Adaya Purnam Evavashi The English translation goes something like this: This is fullness. That is fullness. From fullness, … Continue reading

Posted in Gratitude, Meditation, Yoga Philosophy | 7 Comments

Yoga, Writing, and Persevering Practice

I have spent every spare moment for the last year and a half writing my first yoga mystery, Murder Strikes a Pose. My husband and dog can both attest to my writing obsession, as well as the sacrifices they made so I … Continue reading

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Don’t Miss the Trees

“Yesterday is a cancelled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have – so spend it wisely.” Kay Lyons I woke up Thursday morning actually looking forward to the 30-minute drive to my Mercer Island vet. … Continue reading

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ABCs of Yoga

This week’s blog entry was written by guest author Roy Holman. Roy is a graduate of Whole Life Yoga’s teacher training program. He  can be contacted at holmanhealth@gmail.com and at http://holmanhealthconnections.com. I had a chance to ask T.K.V. Desakachar a question … Continue reading

Posted in Asana, Breath, Guest Writers, Meditation, Teacher Training Graduate Stories, Viniyoga, Yoga Philosophy | Leave a comment

The Gift of Depression

I wrote this post in early June, but decided to wait until now to share it publicly.  I hope you benefit from these sutra teachings and my personal learnings. I’ve been fighting a case of the blues for the last … Continue reading

Posted in Meditation, Therapeutic Yoga, Yoga Philosophy | 1 Comment

Overcoming the Klesas (Seeds of Suffering)

According to The Yoga Sutras, the primary goal of yoga is to overcome suffering.  But it’s not the kind of suffering most people think of. Sure, yoga’s great at overcoming physical ailments, from back pain, to asthma, to insomnia. But … Continue reading

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Savasana (Corpse Pose): A Time to Rest or a Time to Become Fully Awake?

I can almost hear the collective sigh of relief when I tell my students it’s time to transition to the period of rest at the end of each yoga class called Savasana, literally translated as “Corpse Pose.” As each student … Continue reading

Posted in Asana, Meditation, Teaching Yoga, Yoga Philosophy | 2 Comments