In this weeks free video I talk about a definition I came across for yoga in a new (used) book I got — Vijnanabhairava or Divine Consciousness by Jaideva Singh. It was written in 1979 and was the firsEnglish translation of the Vijnanbhairava, which is a sacred text written around the 10th century.  It’s definitely my favorite philosophical text. It explains 112 different methods for practicing yoga.  So, the yoga definition I came in the book says, “Yoga is awareness, transformation of the human consciousness into divine consciousness.”

I just really like that definition of yoga.  In the book the ways of practicing yoga and connecting to divine consciousness are varied, and pretty straight ahead.  From staring at the sky to connecting to your breath.   Basic methods for being happier and moving beyond the human consciousness to something greater.  It’s awesome!

Check out the video.  The practice is a bit more upbeat.  Give my feedback about what you think either here or on facebook.  Take care — John

Anway, I’ve really been digging this yoga playlist! This music has been working really well, real nice flow to the whole thing.  Individually there’s a few awesome new songs I really like on their own in the mix.  Enjoy the music!  John

Yoga Playlist for May 10th, 2011

Here’s a few of the individual songs in the mix I’m particularly liking right now:

Florent 2 A.M. by Blank & Jones — totally chill song with a great groove.

Take the D Train by Pete Rock — kind of a relentless groove, with a recurring melody I really like.  Makes me smile.

Cafe Rue by Chris Parker - Nice percussion in this one, with a funky acoustic bass groove.

au-Pair by Kreidler — This one’s awesome.  When it starts you’re not sure — sounds like a kid playing a casio.  But the drums and bass get going and just can’t help but turning it up and dancing!

Amaterasu by Jasmon — Here’s a nice one for the start of class or as things slow down.  Still funky, but slower.

Calm by Govinda — I’ve been using this song for a while, and it really sets a nice mood.  Particularly like the repeating lyrics..”be calm be calm be calm”.

Gift of the Blue Pearl by Craig Kohland & Shaman’s Dream — Finally, here’s another song I used to play quite a bit and I’ve come back to it for svasana.  Really takes you somewhere.

yogaLIVE! with Steve Ferraris on percussion

yogaLIVE!
6-8pm / Friday, April 22nd
Evolution Yoga
$25
Register Here

It’s time once again for another yogaLIVE! class. Right on!

If you haven’t been to yogaLIVE! it’s a combination of me teaching along with the accompaniment of Steve Ferraris, a world class percussionist. Steve has played and taught percussion across the US as well as in Europe with a diverse range of musical groups. Steve will accompany the class on a wide variety of percussion instruments – creating a groove and energy that makes a for a truly unique and fun yoga experience. I have taught  around 10 of these with Steve, and it definitely gets better every time.  It’s really fun.

After class we’ll have snacks and drinks provided so people can hang out  and mingle for a while after it’s over, which is always nice.

The last time I taught this class a couple months ago it sold out, so sign up early to be sure you get a spot — see you there!!

Register Here

At the end of the month I’ll be teaching a new six week yoga series — Beginner Series II. I’ve taught quite a few beginner series sessions and inevitably students have asked at the end of the series if there is another series they can take to follow up on the first. Well, here it is! And, for those who haven’t taken the first beginner series but do have some yoga experience and want to take this series, you can add a comment on this post or send an email and we can talk about it.

To give an idea of the series, the setup of the class will be similar to how the first beginner series has been — working together to learn more about practicing yoga in a fun, supportive environment. We’ll keep working on good alignment principles, learn more breathing and medication techniques, and go further in the postures toward more complicated and deeper postures. What’s nice about the series is it is a great way to commit to continuing practicing and learning, which can be hard if you are just starting out. It also always feels good to be in a room with other people around your same level and feel the support and encouragement of other students.

My intention is that after taking both the beginner and beginner II series, students will feel very comfortable taking a beginner or even intermediate class — fortified with the knowledge of proper alignment, good breathing, and the realization that we are all innately good, and the practice is about truly celebrating that goodness!

So, hope to see you in the series — John

Also, if you want to see some of my other playlists you can click on any of the links on the playlist below and it takes you to iTunes. From there you can click “See All iMixes By This User”.

Enjoy! John

Swami Sivananda

In classes this week I’ve been teaching about keeping good company. Not only good physical company of people, but choosing to have a good company of thoughts and of spirit. I’ve been reading this quote from Swami Sivananda that, well, speaks for itself.

If the dust is in the company of the wind, it soars high in the sky.
If it is in the company of muddy water it becomes a dirty mire.

If the air is in the company of jasmine, it wafts a sweet aroma.
If it is in the company of offal, it disseminates a foal odor.

Put a parrot in the company of a wicked man. It was start abusing.
Put it in the company of Sadhus, it will repeat, “Ram, Renga, Renga”.

If one is in the compnay of a sage, he attains knowledge and
soars high in the realm of elternal bliss.
If he is in the company of a drunkard,
he drinks and commits vicious acts.

Here’s a video with that quote in mind. Enjoy — John

evoSANGHA on Saturday, Nov. 6th

I wanted to invite everyone to come to the free yoga practice and community potluck this Saturday at Evolution Yoga.  The class is from 6-7:30pm and then a potluck afterwards.  For me  a big part of the practice of yoga is creating community and feeling part of community.  Sometimes yoga can be viewed as a solo venture.  I think that’s true, but it sure is a lot more fun and fulfilling to do it with other people that you know — that’s one of the great things about being in class.  It’s nice to feel the support and love of other students!    So, this class will be all about celebrating our wonderful community we are all part of in Burlington and at Evolution, and to get to know each other beyond a nod or a namaste.

I really hope to see you there!   Take care — John

Six Weeks To Your Best Backbend

My Six Weeks to Your Best Backbend series starts next week, so I wanted to explain a bit about it for those who are interested. My intention for the series, first and foremost, and to have fun with backbends!

They are one of those types of postures where students seem to love or hate them, and I really want to help people find the real fun with these postures. To find the fun, though, you need to feel safe. So we’ll be taking it slow and really working on how to feel safe and comfortable getting into a backbend. Like in my Six Weeks to Handstand series, we will be working together and helping each other out, creating a community of support where we are all in it together.  The idea is that with real safety and understanding of backbends you’ll be able to move forward from where you are now to a much deeper and expressive experience.

Another thing is to understand that a series like this will really help your whole practice.  When you focus on just one type of posture, or even one specific posture, over a six week period the knowledge you learn in your body and your mind will definitely relate to the rest of your yoga practice.

As for experience level to attend the class, it would be good for students to have at least some experience with backbends.  It’s fine for people to have lots of different experience levels in the class, that’s great, but at least some yoga backbend experience would be good.  If you aren’t sure, you can post a response here and we can figure out if it’s good for you.

Hope to see you there!   John

It’s great sometimes just to recognize how much we all really do have. And this “stuff” we have is so much more important than material stuff. Be it friends, family, knowledge, love, whatever — there is some great stuff in our lives and in our hearts that we can take for granted, but it’s really the stuff that sustains us and makes life worth living.

I’ve attached a short free yoga video class with this in mind. It’s my 20th free video class, which I’m very excited about. I hope you enjoy it! John