Craig Williams interview – Questions on our 14 day cleanse program

This February there will be a unique opportunity at ESY to participate in a 14 day cleanse program utilizing yoga and ayurveda in the cleansing process.  Craig Williams has compiled this program and will present a free lecture on the theory behind the cleanse.  We have received a few questions from folks interested, so here are responses for all to read.

Most people have heard of cleansing or detoxification, how does this program differ from the usual cleansing programs?

CW-The unique aspect of this program is that is will utilize a method which will plant seeds of healing deep within the body AND the mind of the participant rather than just being a “two week cleanse”. We will provide the tools necessary for deep and lasting transformation rather than just a temporary “fix”. It is also unique in that it unites two powerful sciences: Ayurveda and Yoga. This combination allows for a powerful program that can address body, mind and spirit and allow the participant to become a co-creator in their own health and healing.

First timers feel slightly anxious about the thought of cleansing, do you have any advice for those that have never tried a cleanse program before?

CW-Its natural for people to be hesitant and nervous about cleansing as so many programs are needlessly extreme and sometimes even dangerous. This program is gentle, safe, and provides a map for a lifetime of health and balance. You won’t be required to drastically adjust your daily life, however we will examine areas where we might be planting seeds of disease in our daily routine which can cause significant problems in the long term if not addressed. My personal vision for this cleanse is for short term AND long term healing.  This might require adjustment and change, two very frightening words to many individuals! But one of the most imporant foundations for long term health is flexibility in how we view the world and in our reactions to the world.

If students have physical limitations will the yoga posture part of the cleanse be possible for them?

CW-Yoga asanas performed in the right context can be an excellent compliment to a cleansing protocol and we will explore various methods to ultilize asanas in this manner. However this does not require strenuous or dangerous programs. If someone has physical limitations, asanas can easily be adjusted or modified. Remember, we have to be flexible in all approaches!! Its also important to remember that the ultimate goal of asana is to create stillness in the mind and body, not to be an ego driven exercise progr One of the most important and unique aspects of this cleanse is that is will address the mind as well as the body. We hold toxins in many levels, not just the physical level. In reality, many people suffer from more psychological disease than physical ailments. And psychological malaise and toxins can become the catalyst for future physical ailments if not addressed. We have a body which is mechanistic, but we are not machines. Ayurveda stresses that the majority of diseases start with the mind and to completely address deep healing we must examine our minds and the “diet” we feed our mind. We are what we eat, think and believe for better or worse. Ayurveda and Yoga provide powerful tools for balancing, cleansing and transforming our minds allowing us to lead a life of creativity and independence which is the key to true vitality and health. We will provide tools and methods from Yoga and Ayurveda which will allow participants to examine what builds up their minds and how food can be more than just a physical substance. We “eat” images, thoughts, and emotions. If one does not address this aspect of healing, cleansing will be shallow and fleeting.

The strength of combining the systems of Ayurveda and Yoga is that is provides a method which can address each individual in their unique biochemical and physical individuality rather than treating a person as a standardized statistic.

How complex will the food sourcing and preparation be?

CW-Its my vision for this program not to be a boring mono-diet approach. We will provide significant options for food choices and examine various options for participants to utilize. We will not be fasting or forcing participants to eat food they dislike. This type of approach can actually cause more harm than good. We will emphasize ways to prepare foods, ways to ultilize common and unique spices, specific timing of meals, optimum foods to support safe and effective cleansing and address seasonal eating routines. I want people to walk away from this program realizing that food is their medicine!

With an ayurvedic emphasis, will there be dosha (body type)  specifics for the cleanse?

CW-One of the most important aspects of Ayurveda is the characteristic of Doshic methodology which targets the unique bio-chemical / psycho-physiological expression of each person. However for each Dosha to function in a balanced manner, our digestion must be balanced and functioning in an appropriate manner. This is extremely important to keep in mind when approaching cleansing. The herbs and protocols we use in this program will address this issue for every Dosha and target each Dosha in its foundation: digestion. If a participant has a specific unique condition, I can address this and make specific suggestions / modifications.

Our 14 day program runs from February 11-24 with Registration due by February 5^th.  To register either call 512 779 8543 or online at www.eastsideyoga-austin.com

Interview with Craig Williams – Karma, Time and 2012

This February Craig Williams presents a significantly timely lecture on Karma and Cosmic time, as we head into the infamous year of 2012 with a myriad of prophecies and theories circulating around this fast approaching date, we know many people are confused, some are anxious about what’s in store.

What does Yoga and Indian philosophy have to say about cycles of time and how they affect global consciousness?

We asked vedic scholar Craig Williams to shed some light on his upcoming seminar.

Can you give us some context about the upcoming four hour seminar for those new to these concepts and ideas of cosmic time?

CW – My initial inspiration for this talk was to provide some type of forum to answer so many people’s questions about “new age” speculations about 2012 and the “end of the world.” Indian conceptions of time have always been much more indepth and long term than modern new age conceptions. Many people today rely upon “channelling” to get information and I thought it was important to examine and explore the ancient traditions from India to provide people with both solace and inspiration concerning the coming years.

What does karma have to do with time?

CW – This is a complex question!  The unique relationship of Karma and Time is in itself a type of Yoga. We will cover this idea indepth during the seminar. One important idea to consider is that our intentions and our actions influence both our perception of Time; how we feel and act can dramatically influence how we literally experience Time. Time is a movement of Cosmic Prana and the science of Swara Yoga provides many tools for personal transformation and transforming our Karma which we will examine indepth in the workshop

Almost everyone has heard of the Mayan calendar and the prophecies for Dec 2012,  will you be planning to talk about the Mayan calendar from the Eastern persepective?

CW –  Yes, we discuss 2012 ideas as well. There are so many misconceptions and fears about 2012. The complex and inspiring visions of Time cycles from India have much in common with modern quantum physics ideas and can provide the western mind with insights and inspirations rather than fear and dread. I hope everyone will attend this seminar as we will be discussing powerful streams of Gnostic awareness!  This information truly has the power to change an individual’s life!

Holiday Potluck

East Side Yoga recently had a holiday potluck! We all gathered around some goodies and then headed into the studio where we lounged as lying in our own livingroom watching the classic film It’s A Wonderful Life. If you weren’t able to make it here are some photos of the event! Until next time

 

Meet the Teachers: Mike Peter

What are you doing Sunday? I think you’re taking one hour to go to Mike’s class! That’s what I would do if I had a free Sunday. Here’s a little more about Mike.

* When did you first come across the practice of yoga and was it love at first site or did it take some time to warm up to?

I had a friend and training partner come up to me and say he had checked out a yoga demonstration and taken a class, and said I should try it out. This is the same friend who eventually convinced me to become vegetarian, and so I should have just listened to him and gone to a yoga class on the spot. But I put it off as I doubted yoga would give me the same level of physical training as my then-current program. I was wrong. After a month of cajoling, my first class left me exhausted but ecstatic, and I experienced a depth and intensity I hadn’t expected.

* Having a background in such activities as sports training and martial arts, what made you decide to dedicate time to yoga teacher training?

I wanted to deepen my personal practice, and the studio where I was doing yoga in DC, and also teaching martial arts, had a teacher training course. My friend who owned the studio was a former Olympic-level athlete, so I trusted his experience and depth of knowledge about the physical mechanics of yoga asana. After that training I taught extensively, studied with yoga instructors whose message or approach I admired, and have since then traveled to India and spent time on many yoga retreats, all in an effort to follow my own spiritual path. Teaching yoga helps me stay aligned with that.

* You have taught yoga at the White House Athletic Center and martial arts at the Department of Defense. Has this experience affected the way you talk students through poses?

Every teaching experience is different. At the Athletic Center, security was incredible so even getting in was a challenge. Everyone training at the Athletic Center seemed to be in a continual state of high stress/high-gear due to the nature of their jobs and their
workload. The classes were taught in the same room where the cardio equipment lived, and every television in the place blasted CNN. So there was this barrage of noise, negative images coming from the television, and a tiny little side of the room in which to create a
serene, yogic environment. In that case there was not a lot of talking one can do, especially in trying to communicate the subtleties of a posture. But what it did enable was an opportunity to use asana as a way to dive inward, to discover immersion in a posture so complete that external stimuli would almost disappear.

At the DoD, where I was fortunate to help in giving a martial arts
workshop, I learned that it’s best to let the art, whether kung fu or
yoga, speak for itself. People are not convinced by words; they are
convinced, and progress, through their own direct experience.

* How does the core activation class you lead on Sunday at 3:30 differ from the Hatha or Hatha flow classes offered at East Side Yoga?

I think every teacher has his or her own teaching style and ideas on how to present the practice of yoga asana. East Side Yoga teachers all have such insight and clarity into yoga that all classes offer opportunities to deepen your practice no matter where you are in that practice.

Though there is a significant thoracic core component involved in ”core activation”, the “core” only partly refers to what’s going on in and around your torso. What it actually targets is what you experience at the core of your being, where the mind communicates with the body and vice versa.

Behavioral science tells us that your idea of yourself is shaped by the actions you take, rather than the actions reflecting you the person. Though this idea can be a bit unsettling, what it does afford is the opportunity to reshape the story you tell yourself about yourself: rather than adhering to perceived limitions about what you can and can’t do, you can perform actions that push beyond and lie outside those limits. Not in terms of difficult asana, but in terms of putting the body in a particular posture, letting that feed
information to the mind, and then amid that flow learning to find a place of calm and tranquility. We explore this in class, and this is also a useful concept to apply off the mat as well.

* Could you speak about how yoga can be used to purify the body?

There are three levels that can be addressed here in terms of purification: the physical body, the mind, and the spirit, or whatever word you use for that which lies beyond the first two.

On the physical level, one idea of the yoga postures is to cleanse and prepare the nervous system, which carries the energy of life throughout the body, for evolution to higher energetic states. Stretching the nerves, invoking certain sequences of activation, removing obstructions or blockages all help to create and support a strong and continuous flow around the body, preparing the body for meditation. This idea of energetic purification is where acupuncture and herbal medicine, diet, living and rest patterns can offer strong support for your practice. It’s important to note that in an effort to purify, you have to be mindful of all you do and, to the best of your ability, everything must be in support of that effort.

On the level of the mind, the focus on the breath, bandhas, and absorption in the asana helps build concentration, which is a key component of meditation and the subsequent limbs of yoga. There are also studies that show that the practice of yoga builds a mental toolset that helps not only release stress but also maintain calm and function better in stressful situations. Through the practice of yoga, you learn to better control the “monkey mind”: mental chatter, negative thinking, and all those things that don’t serve you start to drop away.

Beyond that, the purpose of yoga, the “eight limbs” yoga, is to prepare a person to connect to something greater than the mind/body and what is perceived of as “you”. The culmination of all the work above is to achieve this higher state, find a release from suffering, and experience a source of happiness not tied to the external. True
purity.

* What is your favorite passage or quote that seems to always infuse inspiration?

I have a friend who is a devout Evangelical Christian, and he says, ”You either pass the test, or walk away from the test. God doesn’t give you anything you can’t handle.” This is a good antidote to the penchant of modern society to avoid anything difficult, or assume that what is happening now will continue. Growth only comes through adversity; the only thing that lasts forever is love.

As Kahlil Gibran writes “when Love beckons you, follow him, though the way is hard and steep.” Do that, because the easy path has only one thing going for it: it’s easy. That never serves your best self.

* What’s your favorite thing about East Side Yoga?

ESY provides more than asana classes: Meditation, kirtan, workshops, nutrition, spiritual healing, and other health and spiritual offerings give each student a chance to progress further on the yogic journey. Steve, Elsa, and the whole gang create tremendous support, a strong community, and just the right environment to stay grounded firmly on a rewarding personal path.

Meet the Teachers: Sara Studebaker

I had the pleasure of asking Sara a little about her practice and teaching history. Sara S teaches on Tuesday mornings at 10:30am, then the lunch class at 12:15, and again on Saturday at 9:00am. Hope this brings inspiration!

* What made you step into your first yoga class?

I first approached yoga from purely a fitness point.  I had just moved to NYC after college and needed a new regular form of exercise but was definitely not a ‘gym person’.  I attended a variety of group classes, hoping to find one that I liked enough to make a part of my daily routine.  The yoga classes I attended caught me completely off guard as I fell in love with not only yoga as a form of fitness, but as a art that brought a sense of clarity and happiness to my life.

* How has your practice changed since then?

My practice has changed a lot since my first class and continues to evolve to this day.    From first being a physical practice, it grew to encompass my spiritual and emotional wellbeing.  Now as a teacher my practice is about discovering how to share these blissful feelings with others.  

* When did you realize that getting your teaching certification would be the right fit for you and where did you complete your training?

I set a goal to become a teacher after several years of practicing on my own and with various teachers of different yoga backgrounds.  Yoga became such a big part of my life that I wanted to help others experience all of the wonderful benefits, both physically and mentally.  I attended Joschi Yoga Institute in New York City for my 200 hr certificate and Nosara Yoga Institute for my 500 hr certificate.

* I hear that inversions are very beneficial to the body, could you explain why?

When you have your heart above your head in an inversion, there are an endless number of physical benefits: improved lung function, strengthened heart, stimulated thyroid, boosted immune system, and improved focus and alertness.  However one of the best benefits is the improved mental power that combats depression and instantly lifts your mood.

* What pose do you find most difficult and what do you recommend when your student faces the same difficulties?

I always find Lotus Pose very challenging.  My legs just do not easily move into that pose and the few times that they have, they’re not easily undone.  I have to remind my self in this pose that despite the physical difficulties, there are benefits and things to learn.  My recommendation to anyone in a difficult pose is to use it as a practice in finding ease, contentment, and breath.  When poses are physically unpleasant it is just an opportunity to mentally expand.

* I see from your website (sarahstudebaker.com) that you are also a health coach with a heavy focus on nutrition, could you speak about how these two areas of wellness go hand in hand.

Yoga and nutrition go hand in hand no matter what style of yoga you practice or what diet you enjoy. It is challenging to practice yoga and not pay attention to what you are eating.  They are both tools we can use to mindfully care for our bodies and our health.  

* What is your favorite go to recipe that takes little ingredients and time?

I often throw together meals with leftover vegetables, whole grains (usually brown rice or whole grain pasta), and a pre-made sauce (pesto, curry, or simple garlic and soy sauce for a stir fry).  This is something that is so easy and can be done with whatever vegetables you have on hand and any sauces that suit your individual tastes.

What do you like most about East Side Yoga?

I love the variety that ESY provides.  From the themes of the classes to the teacher’s backgrounds to the special events, I’ve never had the same experience there twice.

Meet the Teachers: Steven Ross

Hi there East Side yogis! After being away for the summer months i’m back with two more interviews. One being with a new addition to East Side Yoga and this one here being with a tried and true ESY teacher and studio owner, Steven Ross. Thank you Steven and Elsa in opening and holding this beautiful space for us to practice. You have impacted many lives for the better in the process

* What would you say is the intent or purpose of going to yoga class? Yoga is a process of creating good health for your whole being. The physical body’s challenges are overcome through asana, the vital body is purified through breath (pranayama) the senses draw inwards and then we have a chance for inner health (peace) then you may take control of our well-being literally. that to me is very exciting!

* Could you explain how your Slow Flow class differs from other Hatha flow classes? The light-hearted answer is, it means we flow slowly. The method of hatha yoga I teach is called Vinyasa-krama (movement and sequence) utilizing slow ujjayi breathing synchronized with movements. So, each student practices 5 second inhale and exhale, this seems deceptively easy at first, but once you break into more advanced postures it can be quite challenging.

* If your students left your class having learned one vital piece of information, what do you hope that would be? the ability to control and slow the breath. “breath is the center of yoga practice because breath is the center of your life and yoga is about life” Yoga master -T.Krishnmacharya

* Can yoga be a spiritual practice? – of course, the Himalyan yogis weren’t sitting in caves all day so they couldadvanced postures , their dedication was towards Self-Realization, absorbing through meditation with higher Self and and being at one with the Universe. But that’s not for everyone and yoga recognizes that so its perfectly fine to take care of the body and be in good physical health, if that’s where it ends for you, cool.

* Is there a place for gratitude in yoga? for sure! be grateful to yourself for taking the time to get to know your Self!

* What is Pranayama? literal translation to control the vital force, prana being the life energy in the body we access it through breathing exercises. Many profound Hatha yogis consider this the pinnacle of Hatha yoga.

* What would be your perfect Austin day? early morning meditation at Zilker park, brunch with people watching at Bouldin Creek, check out a class at ESY and take a long walk with my Elsa.

* What do you like most about East Side Yoga?
that’s a tough question, just kidding. the sense of community, when class ends and folks come out, there is a sweet vibe here, people are talking teachers are connecting, its a great feeling makes my heart smile

Realizing death in our lives

While traveling in India I met backpackers who shared stories of wonderful and interesting places they had been. This is how I learned of the “City of Thieves, City of Light, City of Death and the City of Final Liberation”: Varanasi. It is thought to be
the oldest city in the world and is India’s holy city. The Ganga River flows
alongside the city and is sacred to the Hindus. They believe that if a person
bathes in the river, it will remit them of their sins, and if they were placed
in the river following death it will ensure that their soul was released from
the cycle of its transmigrations. For all these reasons and more, Varanasi
receives 1 million pilgrims every year.

Arriving in Varanasi, I could not be prepared for the experiences that lay ahead. I walked
through the labyrinth of small winding lanes that make up a large portion of
the city. It took me a long time to find my hotel, and I became lost multiple
times. I also stopped periodically to allow passage for the processions of
people carrying their deceased loved ones down to the river. Once I found my
hotel and dropped off my backpack, I decided to walk down to the Ganga.

Along my walk I came across a body lying on the ground, wrapped in scarves, with a note that said: this person does not have money to be burned at a cremation site. There were rupees lying atop and around the body. I was astounded and intrigued. Never had I been faced with death in such an open and honest way. Drawing closer to the river, the small winding pathways opened up, and all I could see in front of me were groups of people standing near numerous fires. It was incredulous that the cremation sites consisted
merely of fires burning in the open air. No structure closed them in; no walls
hid the burning bodies from the eyes of their loved ones. A small Indian boy
grabbed my hand and took me into a building. From his broken English I
understood that he wanted to take me somewhere for a better view. He meant a
better view of the cremation sites, but later I reflected that the view I
actually gained was that of death’s reality.

The building was a two-story concrete structure containing no furniture, yet people sitting and lying in every open space. Once we reached the second floor, the walls opened
up to a wonderful view of the river and directly below were the continuous
burning fires of the cremation sites. The surrounding people were not
interested in the view, and I could not comprehend why they were in this
building; sleeping, eating, talking, or simply sitting in silence It is here
that the boy tried to explain that all the people in this building had traveled
from all over India to reach the holy city of Varanasi in time to die.

There were buildings like these all over Varanasi full of people waiting to die in their
holy city, in hopes of being put into the river in order to attain liberation
for their soul.  As I looked around in amazement, I realized that some of these people had made their long and hard journey with their families alongside them. Family and friends surrounded and supported them now as they prepared for their after-life journey, just as they had been supported in their journey through the life. Death was not seen as
sad, or taboo here. It was part of living, and it was there out in the open, for
everyone to accept.

When I returned to the United States, I began to realize how our culture is so consumed with living that it does everything it can to hide the reality of death. Many of our
elderly are put in nursing homes, safely tucked away from society. We do not
talk about death, and for many, it is our biggest fear. I realized that my own
fear of death was related to my lack of experience with it, which was
cultivated and maintained through our culture’s perception and fear.

In an effort to confront my own fears of death, I began to work in hospice care and spent time visiting with patients. In most cases, the patient’s medical needs were taken care of by
the nursing homes or home health care nurses, and so my role in their life was
simply to listen and provide companionship. I found that all of my patients
yearned for someone to talk to, and craved this interaction. Most of them told
stories of their lives and many spoke of their impending death. It was obvious
that all of these people needed and wanted to discuss the journey ahead of
them, either because they were scared, curious or prepared for what lay ahead;
and yet they had no one with whom to share these overwhelming feelings. Their
families were mourning and/or afraid, and did not want to hear about their
loved one dying, especially from them. For most of these people, death was
swept under the rug and this was reflected in the sadness in their eyes as they
traveled this path alone.

These experiences have led me to believe that if our culture accepted the reality of death, as in other cultures, our elderly and dying would greatly benefit. Our elders would
be more appreciated for their life lessons and experience, honored and revered
rather than being an unwanted reminder of death. In such a world, the number of
elderly in nursing homes might decrease, and they would receive better care. In
India it is not standard care to send the elderly to nursing homes; instead
they are cared for by their families. The family appreciates the elder member
for all the life experiences and lessons they gained through their many years
of living. Not only do the elderly in this culture feel appreciated and loved
during their last years on this planet, but they leave peacefully knowing they
are surrounded by family and friends willing to accept and support the journey
to come.

If the dying were allowed to express their wishes surrounding their passing with their family andloved-ones, they would die feeling loved and supported rather than alone and
fearful. If more people died in this way, it would change our culture by
decreasing the fear and pervading negativity associated with death. There could
be a profound, lasting shift in our culture. It seems that, by accepting death,
as in other cultures, we could stand to enrich our lives and the lives of
others.

Craig Williams – thoughts on the Bhagavad Gita

Craig Williams presents a four week lecture series on the Bhagavad Gita this October.   The Gita is a sacred text seen as the primer on Yoga philosophy.    This interview will also provide you with a glimpse into the depth of his knowledge.  Enjoy. 

What is the Bhagavad Gita story about?     

The Gita story in born from the image of a battleground where the mystical and mundane characters interact with one another revealing diverse streams of Yogic thought and mystical philosophy. The battleground is an apt metaphor as this imagery can echo on many many levels within the reader: the internal battle of personal evolution , the external worldly battle, cosmic battle between light and darkness, etc. The western audience often has issues with the war imagery, however the western reader also lacks the ability to read with a metaphorical “lens”. Indian literature and Indian teachers convey deep knowledge via conversation and metaphor, much like the Guru imparting secret mystical knowledge to the student in the midst of a seemingly mundane event. One must set aside personal emotional filters and let the story convey its secrets. This is why many people upon re-reading the Gita will have the mystical experience of seeing something within the story that “was not there before.” The Gita has layers and layers of teachings which will reveal themselves to the dedicated student each time the pages are turned.

For someone who has never studied yoga philosophy but has an interest, what can they expect from the series?

The Gita is the ultimate starting point for someone who wishes to study Yoga Philosophy. The text introduces key Yogic concepts in an easy to digest form without watering down the essential teachings. The Gita is inspiring and stimulating even if the reader has no desire to pursue deeper teachings which is the main the reason which the Gita has been taught in literature classroom more than Yoga schools!!  In my mind, the Gita is a text which has the ability to plant gnostic seeds deep within the mind and pranic body of the reader which will germinate along non-linear time lines and become catalysts for deep spiritual transformation.

Why is this text so important to the study in yoga philosophy?

The Gita is a distillation of all Vedic and Yogic truth, philosophy and occult teachings. The Gita provides a “predigested” source of nourishment for the dedicated spiritual seeker. The study of this text prepares the mind for deeper yogic practice and will provide a doorway into deeper levels of philosophical and spiritual understanding within the Indian tradition. This is one of the reason why the Gita has such a broad appeal to a western audience. It is important to keep in mind that the western mind is not oriented to deeper Eastern philosophical expression, and if the western seeker does not have the proper background, context or mental “digestion”, then the majority of Eastern truths fall on “dead soil”.

 Many Yoga practitioners study the Yoga Sutras first and often struggle with the concepts.  Can we connect or make sense of the YS after exploring the Gita’s insight?

The Yoga Sutras are a deeply complex text which require extensive prior study in order to unlock the meaning. Ironically this text is often the first Yogic text the western student will be presented, often by a teacher who themselves had minimal to no prior background study. This is problematic as it can cause the student to become confused, frustrated and worse yet mistranslate the aphoristic sutras into a western mindset. The Gita is a crucial text to examine prior to study of the Yoga Sutras as it trains the mind for deeper study, conveys key philosophical terms found in the Sutras, and will provide the context in which the Sutras were originally designed to be studied.

Is it essential to have read the Gita prior to the series?

No, the Gita can be understood at any point. The beginner will feel the excitement of the start of a deeper personal journey, while the experienced student will find yet another layer revealed. It is important to remember that we will be studying the Gita in an initiatic context, meaning we will be opening Gnostic doorways unique to each class, unique to each student, unique to each day….this will not be a dry academic history lecture but a living stream of Gnostic teachings which seek to awaken the inner flame of spiritual evolution within the heart of each attendee!!

The most important relationship you’ll ever have

We grow.  We build relationships.  People come into our lives, and people leave.  We make friends, find lovers, feel love, and find romance.  We lose it.  We lose ones we love, either to circumstance or death, and we mourn.  The cycle of life can be beautiful and cruel at the same time.  But what seems to be at the very source of that cycle of suffering to me is our own humanity, and human tendency to want love.  We want to be loved and cared for.  We want to know that we are worthy of love and its joy.  I know I want and think about all of those things.  I think on some fundamental level that this is what connects us all at the level of the soul.  Somewhere, deep down, we all want to connect.  It’s part of being embodied.

The irony is that while all of these external relationships come and go, there’s only one that always remains constant, and it happens to be the one that we need the most, yet is the hardest to build.  That would be the relationship with oneself.  Building my relationship with myself has never come easy, and often, I’ve actually been resistant to it.  I’d imagine we all are, or else we’d all be enlightened.  But it is interesting when you think about it, no?  I’ve had to put in years of time and effort, exploring the depths of my own emotional holding, and sometimes it can really be excruciating to look at.  In my exploration of my relationship with me, I’ve found it so perplexing to think that someone capable of so much compassion towards others can have so little for oneself.  Ever heard that phrase, “I’m my own worst critic,” ?

I feel that we as humans seem to look outside of ourselves for satisfaction and acceptance, and consequently spend much less time asking ourselves if we love and accept ourselves.  The mind can be cruel and tyrannical, and the more we reign it in, whether by building internal awareness, practicing yoga, or doing something that nourishes us, we can learn that we don’t have to listen to this voice in our heads that tells us “you’re not good enough,” or “you’re not worthy of love,” or even “you’re not worthy of a beautiful life.”  We are all worthy of love, beauty, and grace.  But unless we truly believe that, none of those will come.  We set our own destiny by what we believe to be the truth.  I remember reading a quote from a classical yogic text which roughly translated: “if you whole-heartedly believe it to be true, then all of the medical and spiritual texts, words of wisdom, and the flow of karma are in vain.”

This to me is why nurturing the relationship with ourselves is so important.  Yes, on some level, it’s possible to be deeply compassionate towards others without being completely compassionate with oneself (otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing now! J).  But I think that ability grows exponentially as we build self-acceptance.

I’m attaching the video that I found of Sai Maa on YouTube, and one thing that really sticks out to me is her assessment of the human need for external gratification.  And really, I see myself do it all the time.  We go from one relationship to the next, whether friendship or lover, searching for something to fill the gaps.  But that leaves us entirely in the control of the external world.  And when we get hurt or experience loss, we search to fill the new void with something to ease the suffering.  And then like Sai Maa says, before we’ve even removed the burdensome backpack we’ve been carrying, we fill it again to the brim and say, “oh, I can just empty this later.”  But that backpack gets heavier and heavier, and one day it won’t be able to sustain the weight.  So when I talk about being with oneself, I feel that it means taking time to assess what we’ve put in our backpacks, and see what we can take out.  Nobody should have to carry that extra weight.  How can we fully love and appreciate others when we’re practically collapsing under the weight of our own burdens?

So all that aside, if you still wonder what it means to be with yourself after watching the video, then I’ll tell you how I do it.  Take at least a little time every day to stop and ask yourself, “How are you feeling today?”  And don’t just do it in passing.  I sit for a few minutes and try to be as present as possible.  Whether I feel anger, sadness, fear, or joy, I try to sit with it and let myself feel it.  This doesn’t mean catharsis necessarily because it’s not necessary to react to those feelings.  I just try to let them cycle through as I observe.  Sometimes I cry, and sometimes I laugh.  I hope that this exercise helps you as it has helped me.  In a time when the world is in a place of such change and uncertainty, building this relationship with ourselves is of the utmost importance, and the more true we are to that goal, the deeper our ability will be to create harmony within our relationships and our environment.

Love and light,

Lance

Interview with Craig Williams

Craig’s  recent workshops and lectures at the studio have provided us with a deeper and more profound understanding of the spiritual and philosophical side of Yoga.   His excellent knowledge and dynamic speaking style has presented his students with some real gems coming from a vast amount of information.  Craig now runs his practice from ESY and we are delighted to have him in the family.

Let’s ask him a few questions and get to know him some more…..

1) How long have you been studying Yoga philosophy and Ayurveda?

I was lucky to have an interest in Eastern thought and mysticism at a young age, reading Yogananda, The Bhagavad Gita and Rudolf Steiner in my early teens. This lead to a deep interest in Indian philosopy and the occult, which eventually lead to my studies in college in philosopy and religious studies. So all in all, I have been studying Yoga for about 25 years! I have been studying Ayurveda since my early days in graduate school, so about 14 years or so.

2) Given all that you have studied, what gives you inspiration most from all you have learned?

I now find most inspiration from deeper studies in Advaita Vedanta, mainly Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj, the writings of Frithjof Schuon, and the occult teachings of Michael Bertiaux.

3) What does Yoga and the practice of Yoga mean to you?

My definition of Yoga is a “science of Self Realization”. I don’t see Yoga as an exercise method, but as a deep meta-psychological method to transform, heal and decondition the mind allowing the Spiritual Heart ( Hridaya) to reveal Itself. Yoga ideally should re-connect us to our true Self, as well as connect us to the Cosmic Mind. Yoga is not a learning per se, but rather a remembrance of our true nature, a sanctuary we carry within us always across all realms of time and space!

4) Tell us about the significance and meaning of your title Veda kovid?

This title is typically given in India to one who has pursued deep initiatic study of all Vedic disciplines: Yoga, Ayurveda, Jyotish ( Vedic Astrology), Tantra, and Vedanta. It is given after an individual undertakes committed one on one study with a teacher, which in India is called the “Gurukula” method. In this manner, besides academic work, the student is required to spend years studying in the presence of a master or “Acharya”  which allows for a deeper transmission of wisdom.

5) For someone looking to start out studying yoga philosophy where do they start?

I think it is very important for first time seekers or students to study the Bhadavad Gita deeply. The Gita is a distillation of the essence of Yogic teachings, and is written in a manner in which anyone can approach and digest. If one studies the Gita, it will prepare them to pursue deeper teachings as well provide powerful inspiration for daily life. Besides this, its very important for students to seek out qualified teachers and mentors for study. Yoga philosopy is a deep ocean of wisdom and one needs a teacher for safe navigation!

6) I see your upcoming workshop on Mantra,  for those that don’t know what is the meaning of mantra and how could it help their yoga practice?

I believe that the science of Mantra is the most important therapy which Yoga can offer for healing and transforming the mind. The sanskrit word “mantra” can be translated as “an instrument of reflection” or “a thought which saves”. A “mantra” is typically a sequence of sanskrit words  which when repeated in a meditative setting  resonate and vibrate within the nervous system of the human body. In today’s world, most people’s mind is clouded, confused and distracted. Mantra therapy allow one to calm, focus and heal various levels of the mind and can eventually show the dedicated practitioner to a path beyond the mind into the Self. Mantra can also be used to clear negative energy which is accumulated in everyday living, as well as clear negative energy which accumulates in our living environment. You don’t have to be an athelete or a gymnist to sit down and work with Mantra, therefore is a wonderful method for all types of students / practitioners. We can learn to change the “background noise” of our minds and connect ourselves to powerful sources of inspiration and healing with Mantra Yoga!