InsightsfromtheMat

Most Yoga classes include some version of a Sun Salutation ( Surya Namaskar). These linked poses are a powerful warm-up but also serve another purpose. Surya Namaskar is a salute to the sun or a way to create a new and fresh beginning, hence why it is done at the beginning of a yoga class. Read on to learn why many yogis, including us at Island Movement , practice this tradition on the first of the New Year. Why 108 Sun Salutations? In Yoga, the number 108 is significant for many reasons. 108 is a common number in many sacred yogic texts, and added together, 1+0+8 = 9, which symbolizes universal love, eternity, and awakening. According to Ayurveda, there are 108 sacred points on the body. Traditionally, Sun Salutations honor the Winter & Summer Solstice and the Spring & Fall Equinox. Many Western Yogi's also use 108 Sun Salutations to mark the beginning of the New Year. The practice harnesses the power of rebirth and new beginnings to detoxify and shed the unw

A Perfect Sunset from the Ashram As you may know, I spent 2-Weeks at the b eginning of September at Yogi Hari's Ashram in Miramar Florida. It was an amazing experience where I had an opportunity to grow both emotionally and spiritually. I joined the Ashram and plan to make regular return trips.  I am returning on  January 25-27 2020  and invite you to join me.  The full itinerary is below. The Ashram prepares our meals which are primarily Vegan. They can accommodate gluten allergies. Meat and alcohol are not allowed at the Ashram. We will stay on the Ashram grounds, in rooms that sleep 4 - 6 people, with shared bathrooms. The cost is $200 and you pay through the FMB Yoga Project website. I will provide a packing list for anyone that signs up for the trip. Saturday                                               Sunday Yoga Day Leave Fort Myers @ 9am                     5:30 wake up Arrive at the Ashram @ 11                   Satsang @6 Settle in 

Guruji by C. Morgan I was taken aback on class on Wednesday. A seasonal visitor and a local resident both spoke to me about my time at the Ashram. I write this blog to share my experiences, but the conversation on Wednesday brought home the power of words. So, although later than I intended, I feel called to share my thoughts on Guruji. In Yoga Philosophy, a Guru is simply a teacher. Someone who has traveled a spiritual path and is offering instruction to you to as you walk the same path. Just as an Ashram is simply a place to learn. It is that simple. When I entered the Ashram, I felt that I knew about the physical practice of yoga, but I wanted to increase my knowledge about the spiritual side. At the end of my 2 week training, I learned A LOT about the physical practice and the spiritual practice of Yoga. I also learned A LOT about myself. The later was a bit of an eye opener. At the Ashram we spent about 4 hours a day in the presence of Yogi Hari. We chanted and

This is a question that I have been asked a lot. Honestly, there are many reasons. Me at Graduation Why Enter an Ashram? The first, I have always wanted to experience living in an Ashram. Maybe it is the result of 20 years of doing and teaching yoga. Maybe it is Eat, Pray, Love . Who knows, but it has always been on my bucket list. So why now? These last couple of years have been hard. I feel burned out, lacking a clear focus, lack of passion for things I once loved, and a general questioning of what do I really want to be doing with my life, because I don't think this is it. So, I decided to quit my job, and thanks to a supportive spouse, fond a local Ashram that had a Teacher Training starting right after my tenure with FGCU ended. It seems like the universe was telling me something, even if I didn't quite know what it was. So off I went. So What is an Ashram? Here is what it is not. It is not a cult-lol. That is often the first misconception. It comes from th

So today is day 3 at the Ashram and it has been a great experience so far. The people are wonderful and from all over the world and the U.S. Fun Facts for me so far: I haven’t worn shoes since I got here, other than for Karma Yoga. We don’t wear them indoors and there are pathways elsewhere. T he ashram is minimalistic (think tiny house village) where you only use the necessities. They compost, grow their own food, and conserve water. My conservation hear is alive. I have only eaten vegan. Although the granola bar I had as a snack may not totally count but no meat- lol My biggest learning so far is that after 20 years of practice I know so little. So here is the first piece of aha knowledge I want to share with you. Background: There are 8 limbs to yoga. We will get to them all. But Hatha Yoga the one we all practice is the Physical Practice – the Asanas. But Hatha Yoga means more th

I am entering a 2-week program at the Yogi Hari's Ashram . This has been something that I have wanted to do for years. I am grateful for the opportunity to take this time and focus on me and my spiritual health/growth. This has been a year of change for me, some good, some bad. An Ashram is a place to study the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga. Daily, I will be providing serva (service) back to the Ashram. I am nervous and excited all in the same breath. Here is my daily schedule: 5:30 am - Wake up 6:00 am - Meditation, Nada Yoga, Lecture 8:00 am - Asanas, Pranayama 10:00 am - Brunch 11:00 am - Karma Yoga 12:00 pm - Personal Studies 2:00 pm - Main Lecture 4:00 pm - Asanas, Pranayama 6:00 pm - Dinner 7:30 pm - Meditation, Nada Yoga, Lecture I will be sharing my adventures on my blog as I progress through my training. I am hoping to come out on the other side a stronger, more centered, me. I know that at a minimum this experience will change my perspective

We spent time over the last weekend thinking about Mothers. Now it is time to connect to the Mother Within by experiencing Yoga surrounded by Mother Earth. Yoga in nature can be a powerful experience, regardless of the frequency of the type or frequency of your typical practice. Exercise by water increases the calming effect of Yoga. In a Huffington Post interview with Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist and author of the Blue Mind he explains that while near water individuals experience “a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment.”  Exercise near water helps you to relax, which is why we always feel better by the beach. Did you know that being around marine life and water, alone, also have a powerful impact? Staring at the water helps with focus and internal awareness. It also decreases your heart rate by 7% and blood pressure by 4% according to a recent stu

A National Survey of Americans reports 14.2% of adults practice some form of meditation (2017). Meditation is a mind-body practice that helps to focus the mind which increases calm, physical relaxation, coping mechanisms, and overall health & well-being. How to get started? Meditation is easy to start and hard to master. Like Yoga, Meditation is a practice . You need to let go of expectations and embrace the process. Many types of meditation exist, below we will describe one of the most common. Seated, Quiet, Meditation Step 1- Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit or lie down.  Step 2- Close your eyes. Step 3- Release. Your first meditation will not be perfect. Focus on a mantra (phrase) or word. Repeat the Mantra as a means to focus your mind on the present, not on the list of things you have to do. If your mind wanders, bring it back to the word, or mantra. An Earth Day Mantra suggestion:   om shanti shanti (om= universal sound, shanti=peace; spoken

  On April 28th, I will be running The Canaan Valley 1/2 Marathon . Today, I finished my first long run, 8.1 miles.   The Crazy I live on the Beach in Florida. My house is, legally, 5ft above sea water, Canaan Valley is 3,100ft above sea water. I am, also, 48 years old, haven't run more than a 10k in over 20 years, and my life of late has been anything but smooth. The smart, not crazy , person, decides to sign up for a 1/2 Marathon at elevation, with 2.5 months to train. My justification: we have to close down the ski house, we get to spend time, and say goodbye for the summer to our ski family.  Totally sane, and not even a little bit crazy. The Gratitude My life has been a little topsy-turvy as of late. I have been focusing on Gratitude as a means to focus on the positive.  First , for the ability to run a 1/2 marathon. Not everyone has that ability to run a 1/2 marathon. Even though it will probably take me as long to run this 1/2 Marathon as it did to

So you have decided you want to try a Yoga Class, Congratulations on the first step of your Yoga Journey.   In Yoga, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money to get started; fancy clothes and mats are not required.   Wear comfortable clothes that allow for free movement and for a small fee, most yoga studios, have mats you can rent.   But if you really want your own mat, or are practicing at home, these are the things to keep in mind. Yoga Mats of Various Thicknesses First, yoga mats are thinner and stickier that typical exercise mats.   The stickiness prevents you from sliding and allows for a better grip, especially during balance during poses.   Mats, typically, rage from 1/16 inch to ¼ inch.   A 1/16 inch mat is very thin and is most often used as a travel mat.   The thickest mat, ¼”, is best for restorative yoga and can make balancing poses challenging in a typical class.   Most mats are 1/8” thick and are ideal for beginners.   Don’t panic if