The Tao of our Yoga Therapy

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a ladder to growing discernment. It is a practice that includes nonjudgmental awareness of your sensations, emotions, thoughts and behaviors.

It can be used during Yoga forms/gestures, breathing exercises or everyday activities.

Through practice you may establish that some of these thoughts, emotions, sensations, and even behaviors do not define or belong to the “Real unchanging you” (that is they change while being observed, many are (eventually) temporary, and many are most likely created by instinct).

This realization can help support a feeling of increased peace and comfort.

You are not your pain, you are not your rambling thoughts. You are someone who can watch these “objects”, and yet not fall victim to them.

Mindfulness facilitates inquiry and a solid connection to the living and felt present. How does it differ from single point meditation (usually the regular repetition of a sound or phrase that leads to stillness)? Well, although single point meditation is a fine way to develop focus, discernment and a state of rejuvenation, being in the present or self-inquiry is not the purpose of pure Tantric bija mantra practices.

You might consider working with body-based grounding exercises to help you feel more secure and present during these practices. Work to become balanced, and ground-embracing, whether sitting, standing, walking or performing other physical work.

The practice of Mindfulness is not designed to help re “live” trauma, it is attention to your body, your sensations, emotions, and thoughts with compassion and without judgment.

The practice of mindfulness might use the body, breath, a question (not necessarily to be answered), a Truth or aspiration, or simply a sound as a foothold to keep you in the present while supporting the endeavor of noticing changes. Notice sensations, notice change, and maybe hear what you should do next.

Although popular in many meditation schools, during most of our Mindfulness practices, we will not be repeating a description of our activity while we are performing it, as in: I am eating, I am stepping, etc.

Saying you are in the present does not put your attention there; your attention is on your words. Yes, an anchor is important for many of us mortals as we attempt to remain in the present. We will use the traditional anchor of breathing. Not by saying, “I am breathing”, but by the perception of breathing only. Don’t we color the experience of the present by being concerned with words placed on top?

Yoga Forms

Caring Individualized instruction.

We work towards an improved sense of groundedness, calm, and resilience in response to changes in the environment and patterns of thinking. We will not “analyze” the content of your thoughts or experiences, or attempt to approximate any type of medical diagnoses. Primarily using techniques categorized by the Yoga Sutras, you may be instructed in appropriate therapeutic postures, breathing exercises, or mindfulness practices. Know that you should not try to perform or imitate anything that is outside of your comfort zone, regardless what a teacher or yoga therapist may say. Also, some clients may not need to practice what are considered traditional yoga poses.

Tai Chi/Qigong

Besides being well known training for static and dynamic standing balance and stress management, Tai Chi may work to improve the perception of peri-personal space (what’s around you, what can you reach, what should you avoid) and the environment at large (what’s coming, what’s here, what’s there).

Tai Chi and Qigong (related breathing/posture activities) also offer a chance to express yourself creatively through your body. This is a gift.

Yes, there is room for YOU within the designated shapes and breaths of Tai Chi and Qigong. You need this.

Find a patient, fun teacher, who doesn't put you on the spot. Enjoy slow deep movement, relax, express, accept.

And then there is the elegance and strength.

Single-point Meditation

Transcending meditation leads you to a very deep source of rest. This experience of stillness is necessary for a full life. Be still and know that I am…

The use of a single point of focus helps move the body-mind to a place of rest, and organization. Thoughts will always occur during meditation, but when you realize you are off-project you simply return with no time wasted.

You may focus on the breath, a sound, your body, etc. but do not respond to or label thoughts, conjure, or philosophize. This is not a prayer, it is not self-talk. It is not analysis. It is self-listen without response.

Transcending meditation supports and facilitates mindfulness practices.