(Note: Much of this is adapted from my May 2010 post on “Transition & Balance.”) According to my teachers, the ancients invented Hatha Yoga so people could sit longer during a specific task. Back then, yogis were sages who were meditating toward the highest state of harmony, otherwise known as Samadhi. In his commentary on…
Tag: peace
Peace Tools: Pratipaksha Bhavana, Samtosha & Gratitude
For the final quarter of my 100-day exploration of Ahimsa (for a brief background, see “The Roots of ‘Ahimsa Now: 100 Days of Intention’” at the bottom of this page), I am compiling my favorite Peace Tools – fail-safe practices for cultivating a reliable inner peace, which leads to a serene life and accountability to…
Running Into Nature
The couch can be a dangerous place for me. Running into nature is like running to safety. Today I went into the woods with great mental confusion, weighty worry and enough fear to call “terror” – and I left it all there. I came out with strength, hope, faith and belief. * * * I…
Haiku for George Zimmerman
HAIKU FOR GEORGE ZIMMERMAN And justice for all: May peace – and not resentment – Guide our hearts and minds. * * * In the very first pages of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras – one of the ancient texts that guides yoga practice and teaching – we learn that yoga’s primary purpose is to cultivate a…
Ahimsa Now: 100 Days of Intention
* * * In a recent blog entry, I mentioned “Ahimsa Now” – my idea for a non-profit organization whose mission is to use yoga and related practices to address emotional pain and increase inner peace in at-risk youth and those that serve them, consequently decreasing violence in at-risk communities. When I called my friend…
Peaceful Warrior
“Meditate. Meditate that the truth will come out. The whole truth.” – Civil Rights Activist Dick Gregory at a DC Rally for Trayvon Martin * * * At the end of my last blog, I promised to report back after the “Stand Up for Trayvon Martin Justice Rally” here in DC. Since last Saturday’s rally,…
The Happy Heart Project: The Halfway Mark
“Hey, I’m trying to hard to see the light, to see the light – to see it burn thru.” – Abigail Washburn When it comes to maintaining and manifesting an intention over 100 days – and that intention is to overcome a nagging internal darkness and move deliberately toward joy – it is imperative to…
The Happy Heart Project: 100 Days Toward Joy
“The Happy Heart Project: 100 Days Toward Joy” launches this Sun., 8/28. Curious? See below, then “Like” Urban Yoga Den on Facebook or subscribe to UrbanYogaDen.wordpress.com to stay informed, join in, and/or, share your efforts! Under the new moon of Sunday, August 28, 2011 I will launch “The Happy Heart Project: 100 Days Toward Joy,”…
Clearing the Obstacles
I am sorry to hear your pain. You are a wonderful human being and deserve tranquility, peace, and love. I would suggest that you stay focused on what is good for YOU, rest will follow. – letter from a friend This quote sounds like something I would say to a student or friend. Instead, it…
Falling Off The Yoga Wagon
Why does it take a sick day for me to realize I have totally abandoned my yoga practice? For the past two days, I’ve been battling a sinus infection. This morning, after sleeping 11 hours, I woke up, chanted mantras, said prayers, wrote in my journal, practiced breathing exercises and sat to meditate. All of…
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