Yoga Champs

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Photo via YogaDork.

Over the weekend, some seriously stellar yogis competed in the annual USA Yoga Asana Championship in New York City.

Photo via New York Daily News.

I'm always amazed and inspired seeing what the human body can do. I always wonder: how many hours did these yogis spend preparing for the competition? How many backbends a day did it take to get to that point?

Photo via USA Yoga Federation.

Every year there's a debate about whether yoga should be competitive. Some say that goes against the nature of yoga, but I have to say I agree with USA Yoga Federation founder Rajashree Choudhury. I think it's inspiring and encouraging to see yogis like this in the spotlight. As Rajashree wrote in a recent Huffington Post article about yoga competitions:

It is human nature to feel challenged; to be self empowered. The competition aspect of Yoga Asana comes from within; from striving to achieve one's personal best at any given moment. Carefully defined judging criteria are based on rules and structure that follows the Hatha Yoga tradition; championship judges are educated by counterparts in India on how to award marks based on a points system. Ultimately though, it comes down to the competitor's ability to master their sensory control; to execute postures to their fullest potential while holding them in stillness.

Photos via USA Yoga Federation.

You can watch a video stream of the championship here. Or check out more about USA Yoga on their Facebook page.

 
 Photo via USA Yoga Federation.

Huge props to all you amazing yogis who participated!

Your Breath in Yoga

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One thing I love about yoga: whether you're meditating in lotus pose, or fighting your way into a forearm balance, your breath guides you.


As far as I'm concerned, I'm practicing yoga while I walk down the street, as long as I'm focused on my breath moving in and out of me.

Yoga Art

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The other day a friend and I spent the afternoon drawing and painting. I enjoyed the simplicity of the moment, and a chance to create some new art.


I found myself coming back to the om sign and the lotus flower, both symbols I love.


The drawing above is of a yogi in scorpion pose, with an om.

I also wrote this little poem on one of the pages. 

over the water sound echoes, reverberating
back in muted tones, in color,
saffron and gold, peaceful
remembrance of what was once true:
beauty, silence, I raise my voz en paz.
this peaceful river flows on, through me,
breaking into the day. it is its own
promise, floating onward toward some unknown shore.


Yoga Laughs from Teeny Tiny Om

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Custom illustrations via Teeny Tiny Om.

I recently discovered an adorable illustrated yoga blog called Teeny Tiny Om. Virginie, the author, features drawings of a little stick figure yogi as he learns postures and goes about his yoga journey.

 I love the wit and humor of the site.

If you're looking for a good laugh and some true yogic wisdom, swing by Teeny Tiny Om.


 

Wisdom from Suffering

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This post is dedicated to any readers who are experiencing suffering, loss, or difficulty at this time. My heart goes out to you. 

Know that you are not alone. Namaste.


A practice that can lay the groundwork for drawing wisdom from our own sufferings is to be present to other people’s suffering. To witness. To see how many are the ways people dealing with suffering. To learn how suffering can elicit creativity or deepen hope or resilience or understanding. 

Some people recoil from others’ suffering—don’t like to visit hospitals, don’t know what to say, wish they were somewhere else, or could just send flowers. 

But a willingness to show up, even in our uncertainty about how to behave, may not only be a gift, it may help us learn to enter the places of darkness with confidence and trust, not needing to know how, or to predict outcomes, but to be fully present to whatever the moment calls for.
-Marilyn Chandler McEnryre

Patient

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Photo via MyMorningCoffee.
Patience is a long and winding road, don't you think?

Lately I've been trying to be patient with myself, but I find it's hard. I'm searching for new job opportunities and finding it takes more time than I expected. I'm also trying to giving myself space and time to heal from past hurt, and to be open to letting things happen as they are.

What helps when you need extra patience?

Advice on Advanced Postures

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Photos via Pinterest.

I got a very wise piece of advice from a senior teacher about what to do if you're struggling with a difficult posture. Next time you see someone doing it, say to yourself, "That's me in the pose."

Imagine, instead of distancing yourself from the teacher as if he or she were capable of one thing and you were not, that you are that teacher. The body you see in the pose is your own.


This will help you internalize the pose before you even realize it. Genius, eh?

Tortola Yoga Retreat

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Photo via Fort Recovery Tortola.

Wouldn't it be lovely to spend a week in sunny Tortola for a yoga retreat?

 The open sky, the bright water, the fresh air... gorgeous.
Photo via Pinterest.

Right around this time of year is when I wish I could afford to be somewhere tropical, laying out my mat at the end of a dock and getting ready to soak in the sun as I practice.

Extreme Yoga (And a Reminder to Vote)

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Photos via Sweaty Betty and Yoga Votes.

Just when I thought my yoga was extreme... I come across these photos of yogis practicing on top of mountains! (On Mont Blanc in the Alps, to be specific.)

Now that's some steadiness and balance. Eeeps!


In other news, here's a friendly reminder to hit up your polling place tomorrow and rock the vote! Your voice counts. Make sure it's heard.