Astro-Practice

, , , ,

In Defense of Slowness

, , , ,
In Defense of Slowness

Do you ever unintentionally pick up your phone and scroll through email or social media? Or, do you find yourself picking up your phone (or iPad or laptop) during even the briefest moment of stillness?

Yeah, me too.

By this time in our techie world, we know that our devices aren't great for our attention spans. Human beings are, on average, losing length in our attention spans as computers grow faster and faster. I even find myself, when planning a yoga class, tempted to speed up the tempo, to keep people (and myself) from growing bored.

Yet, we know from many of the great meditation teachers, neuroscientists, and yogis that paying attention is the best way to strengthen our bodies and minds. It’s also the best way to truly get in touch with our souls.

Concentration is key, dedication is key, focus is key. And truly, you are the key.

I wanted to write this post in defense of SLOWING down. If you read my posts, you probably enjoy yoga and astrology. Here’s some benefits of slowing down in each of these disciplines:

, , , ,

The Yogi’s Bookshelf: My Top 5 Picks

, , , ,
The Yogi’s Bookshelf: My Top 5 Picks

Those who know me well know that I LOVE a good book. I also don’t like to waste time reading things that aren’t helpful or don’t connect with me. But when I find a book I love, one that really juices up my soul, that’s when I want to spread the word far and wide!

On Sunday, May 6 I’m going to present a yoga philosophy workshop at Mudra Yoga in Eugene. I’m excited about this not only because I LOVE working with yogis, but because I get to talk about some of my favorite texts on this topic.

The workshop is going to be amazing—not because I’m amazing, but because what we’re talking about is truly life enhancing, soul edifying, and fun.

I know my readers are far and wide, so if you can’t make it to the workshop in Eugene (register here if you can!), you can at least know my top picks for your yogi bookshelf.


, , ,

Three Reasons to Study Yoga Philosophy TODAY

, , ,
Three Reasons to Study Yoga Philosophy TODAY
"When the wisdom of well-considered experience is joined coherently to well-grounded factual knowledge, you have a strong foundation from which to successfully navigate both the path of yoga and the world in general." -Christopher Wallis in his book Tantra Illuminated

I first began a daily yoga practice in 2004. Like most beginners, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and that was a good thing. I knew that yoga would meet my goals of staying fit and relaxed, and those physical benefits were enough for me. 

Perhaps my introductory years of yoga sound familiar to you. In my experience, physical yoga is what most often attracts people to yoga. Perhaps you came to yoga seeking some degree of fitness (cross training, stretching, strengthening, or physical upkeep) mixed with some degree of relaxation.

There's no denying that the physical benefits of yoga come without needing to study old texts.

Yet, as you deepen your practice and move from the beginning levels of yoga, studying yoga philosophy helps.

, , , , ,

April and the Fool

, , , , ,
April and the Fool

Happy April; happy Easter; happy April Fool’s.

There are few holidays that invite as much mischief and as much glee as April Fool’s Day.

In my mind, I have an ongoing list of my favorite pranks I’ve heard of, seen, or participated in. These pranks come from a long standing tradition. While scholars don't agree on the origin of this holiday (some say it comes from the switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, wherein those still celebrating the new year on April 1 were thought to be fools; and some say it is the modern iteration of a Greco-Roman holiday called Hilaria), they all agree that the holiday has taken place for thousands of years.

This holiday has its beginnings in the West, and as such, draws up the western esoteric imagery of the Fool.

The Fool has links to astrology and yoga, and the Fool is a key concept to understand as we travel on our yogic paths.

, , , , , ,

CLAIM YOUR PERSONAL POWER with Yoga and Astrology

, , , , , ,
CLAIM YOUR PERSONAL POWER with Yoga and Astrology

 In the past 15 months, we’ve seen the climate in our country reach higher and higher levels of uncertainty. I’ve had conversation after conversation where I hear the same sentiment brought up—that feeling of being powerless in a world where power seems to be something that people take by violence and force. In a world driven by binaries, we see powerful vs powerless, domineering vs helpless. 

But there has to be a better way to see things than binaries that divide and disempower. I’m a yogi-astrologer, so I looked into yoga and its sister discipline, astrology, for answers.

A lot of the time when we use the word ‘power’ with yoga, we’re referring to a type of vinyasa-heavy flow that activates cardio and really BURNS SOME CALORIES.  But there is a type of power far more central within yoga and astrology that leads us down the path of empowerment.

, ,

The Astro-Practice: 4 Things to Know

, ,
The Astro-Practice: 4 Things to Know

The new year marks the time when we examine our goals, set new ones, and let go of the ones that no longer fit our values.

I LOVE New Year's intention setting (perhaps due to my Capricorn sun). One of my goals this year as a yogi-astrologer is to share one of my favorite yoga-astrology skills in a way that is simple and effective.

What if I told you that one of the most effective yoga-astrology tools can be learned in moments and applied to your everyday yoga practice?

This tool can help you access your sun energy and shine out in the world with more confidence, authenticity, and delight. This tool can help you connect to your body to bring your energy back to yourself during those times when you're depleted. 

An Astro-Practice is AMAZING, but it can get COMPLICATED. That's why in this post, I'm going to share the only 4 things you need to know to start your very own Astro-Practice.