a blog by Ellen Davies
Two years ago I wrote a blog post on setting an intention for your yoga practice. You can read it here. In the post, I wrote about using a positive thought, word, or image for your intention. I suggested that you take your intention off…
The seven chakras are energy centers in the body. Knowing about the chakras can help heal the body and the spirit. Our physical bodies express the truth we carry in our bodies. Sometimes these truths show up as pain, injuries, and unexplained issues. If you…
Everything in the universe is a vibration. You’ve heard of string theory, right? According to string theory, all particles in the universe are actually tiny vibrating strings. Each type of vibration corresponds to a different particle. . You’ve probably heard the expression “good vibes.” You…
If you’ve ever been to a vinyasa class, you know about sun salutations. This 12-step flowing sequence is seen as a base on which to build the entire practice. It originated with Ashtanga Yoga, which was taught to Patthabhi Jois, who as a young man…
Today, June 21, is the summer solstice — the longest day of the year. After today, the days gradually get shorter until the winter solstice on December 21, when the cycle turns again. In my yoga community, many studios celebrate the day with a practice…
I am a yoga teacher who takes antidepressants. Yeah. Those two things just go hand-in-hand like peas and carrots, don’t they? To clarify, I was taking antidepressant medications for a few years before I started practicing yoga. And I’ve been on them for over…
Several years ago, I had a brief conversation with a woman who is a strict Christian. I happened to mention that I taught yoga, and she immediately put up her hands, as if to ward off evil. “Oh no, I don’t want any of that…
Walking into a yoga studio for the first time can be intimidating. If you are new to yoga, the studio can seem like a strange place. It may smell weird, because of burning sage or incense. There might be unfamiliar symbols on the walls, maybe…
I’ve written about nemesis poses before. You know what those are: the poses you absolutely hate. Of course those are the ones that have the most to teach you, so the generally accepted rule is that your nemesis pose is the one you should practice…
Back in January I wrote about the power of gentleness: If you want to make changes, you have to be gentle with yourself. This 30-minute practice with mantras and affirmations will help you treat yourself gently. Begin standing in Mountain Pose. Bring your hands…