What's Your New Year's Resolution? - Yoga Sadhana

As a New Year approaches, and New Year's Resolutions are on the horizon, one might consider starting or deepening a yoga practice or Sadhana as a goal for 2013. Not only is yoga a wonderful way to improve body structure and mobility, it also improves organ function, improves and boosts the nervous system, balances hormones, and calms the mind, to name a few things.

Mr. Iyengar writes that, "Sadhana is commonly translated as penance or austere practice. Sadhana is an effortful and effectual endeavour to reach a goal, no matter what impediments or obstacles come in the way.  It is a gradual transformation from effortful effort to effortless effort by minimising the physical effort and enhancing the quality of intelligence in observation and attention for its penetration in the sadhana for the sadhaka."

Patanjali writes in the Yoga Sutras that tapas (burning desire), svadhayaya (self-study), and Isvara pranidhana (devotion to God) are the three aspects of sadhana and the foundation of a yoga practice.

So although the yogic journey many be challenging, it is a worthwhile journey..helping to penetrate to the core and back to truly know ourselves.

What better resolution can there be then to learn more about ourselves, and as was mentioned at the AGM this past May, to become friends with ourselves before the body turns on us.

Namaste.
Happy New Year.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com


I have blogged more about Sadhana in November 2011 if you wish to read that too.

Please..No Scents...

With the Winter Yoga Session at PLN Yoga Studio beginning very soon...January 5th..please..

No Sense Makes Good Sense!


Dear Yoga Members,

Some members and myself are very sensitive to products containing scents. 
Some get migraines and need to leave early or leave with a headache or other allergic reactions.
Please help by refraining from using all perfumed products including soaps, powders, creams, shampoos and detergents prior to class.

Please also do not smoke just prior to class.

Thank you!

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

Time....

 

 

As the new year approaches, here are a few quotes regarding time from B.K.S. Iyengar.

 

"Your bodies are in the past; your mind in the future.

When you do yoga, they come together in the present."

 

 

"Do not live  in the future; only the present is real."

 

 

"Sit in this asana and accept chronological authority.

Chronological authority is no authority,

as time is just a movement in space."

 

 

"Chronological time and psychological time are quite different."

 

and last..I love this one.

 

"Did you come here to to watch the clock or do yoga?"



Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

Lighting a Candle

Happy Solstice to all! 

During this darkest day, you may be lighting a candle for light and warmth.

A Gatha is a mindfulness verse, that help us dwell in the present moment and to be deeply aware of the action we are doing so that we can perform it with understanding and love.

Here is a Gatha for Lighting a Candle..on this special Solstice and all days.

Lighting this candle,

offering the light to countless Buddhas,

the peace and joy I feel,

Brighten the face of the Earth.

 

 

May all sentient beings be happy and safe.

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com



Early Bird Registration Draw!

Hello all and thanks to those that registered early with payment for the Winter Session at PLN Yoga studio.

I had my kids each pick out a name from the draw bin..

Congratulations to the three people that won and thank you to all for registering for the upcoming session.

If you missed the early bird registration deadline...there is still time to register..
Many classes to choose from, for all levels and all ages!
Check out my website or give me a call.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

Silent Prayer

"The more clearly we can focus our attention

on the wonders and realities of the universe about us,

the less taste we shall have for destruction"

-Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring

 

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com



Changes and New Classes to 2013 schedule

I have made a few changes to the 2013 Yoga schedule at PLN Yoga Studio in Prince Albert and Christopher Lake.

In Christopher Lake:
Monday 7:00-8:00pm Restorative Class will now be 7:00-8:15pm Intermediate Class

In Prince Albert I have added another Noon Class:
Tuesday and Thursday Noon Classes - 12:05-12:55pm
See poster for details.  Special price if come twice a week!

Please see website or the pages section of this blog for full class schedule.  Many times and days to choose from.

Thank you.

Poster below is just for the noon classes in PA. See website for full class schedule.

Call for details or to register!
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

Happy 94th Birthday Guruji!

A heartfelt birthday wish for Mr. Iyengar today. 

Happy Birthday.

Your inspiration continues to inspire many.

 

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com



Words of Wisdom - 22

"If you want to be miserable, think of yourself.

If you want to be happy, think of others."

 

-Sakyong Mipham

 

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com



Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

In Indian philosophy the three main gods are Brahma, the Creator; Vishnu, the Protector and Shiva, the Destroyer.

Mr.Iyengar writes about the Trinity gods in relation to Pranayama.

He says that "Pranayama actually has three movements. Inhalation, retention and exhalation.  It is very interesting to know its similarity with the creator, protector and the destroyer.  Inhalation is the generator of the energy known as Brahma.  Protector is Vishnu.  You hold the breath so that you make that energy to protect the entire empire of the soul.  Kumbhaka's job is only to protect so that is known as Vishnu.  The destroyer is known as Maheshwara-Shiva.  If you hold the vicious breath then you will die.  Similarly, we exhale, so that air which is not good for the health is thrown out."

At the Annual General Meeting in Toronto this past May, one of the wonderful teachers that came from India related Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to Guruji B.K.S. Iyengar.
Raya said that Guruji embodies these three gods by creating positivity where we are lacking energy (Brahma), he teaches how to retain energy(Vishnu) and also how to destroy impurities and fears(Shiva).  This process of learning is his blessing to us.

In light of his 94th birthday this Friday..December 14th here is the chant to the guru..to show my respect.

GURUR BRAHMA,
GURUR VISHNU,
GURUR DEVO MAHESHWARAH
GURUR SAAKSHAAT PARA-BRAHMA,
TASMAI SHRI GURUVE NAMAH.

 

The Guru is Brahma (The God of Creation)
The Guru is Vishnu (The God of Sustenance)
The Guru is Shiva (The God of Annihilation)
My Salutation to such a Guru, who is verily the Supreme God.

 

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com



Sensology and Mind

 

"Like you know what your knees should do in Tadasana,

you should also know what your eyes should do,

what your ears should do."

 

 

-Prashant S. Iyengar

 

I have really started to enjoy reading the work of Prashant Iyengar, Mr. Iyengar's son.

 

The depth of thought he has, like his father..well, really helps to get me thinking.

 

 

Prashant writes, "As yoga is total action, we must know techniques of working on the joints, muscles, tendons, cartilages and we must also bother about the techniques of the senses.  You know what the knees should do but do, but what should the eyes do? You do not bother about them.  Are they not part of your physical body?"

 

 

 

So remember in your practice to know what your sense organs are also doing, so that something is not missing from your practice.

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

 



Can yoga prolong life?

"A yogi does not count his life in terms of years,

He counts it in terms of breath."

 

-B.K.S. Iyengar

 

 

Mr. Iyengar writes that of all certainties and uncertainties, what is certain is death.

But, when each breath is long, deep and subtle..so that the energy is stored abundantly, we still have a chance to build our destiny for the future.

That does not mean we will not die, but "if we lead and practice yogic discipline throughout our life, we are sure to prolong our life, as worries and anxieties do not corrode us."

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.vpweb.com