5 ways to deepen your Yoga practice with Ahimsa

अहिंसा - AHIMSA - Non Harming/Non Violence in thoughts, words, or deeds. Compassion for all living beings.

While the popularity of yoga is growing worldwide, many people are discovering that yoga is more than just a physical exercise.  It truly is a path to spiritual liberation.  Let's remember that the meaning of "spirit" is to breathe life into, we are all made from spirit (breath: life force energy/prana), and yoga is a practice that teaches us to unite with our breath.  This liberation begins with understanding the 8 Limbs of yoga.

Many yogis take their practice to the next level with the study and embodiment of the 8 Limbs of yoga.  The first two limbs being Yamas and Niyamas comprise the ethical rules for the yoga aspirant.  The Yamas and Niyamas are the foundation of our yoga practice, the path to liberation.

The first Yama is Ahimsa, which means non violence/non harming to all living beings in thoughts, words, or actions.  This yama asks the yoga aspirant to take responsibility for their actions, choices, thoughts and be guided by compassion.  Here are 5 ways to implement ahimsa into your life

1) Plant based diet - While this respects the life of the animal it also is a choice of compassion to our own body as it is better for digestion and cell rejuvenation to consume plant based diets. It is also better for the environment due to excessive waste from factory farms, and it releases the chance to consume any karmic residue from the animal.  There are delicious smoothie, juice, and raw food or warm food vegetarian/vegan recipes available.  For people in North America, local farm foods or organic produce is always a good option, familiarize yourself with the "dirty dozen" and "clean fifteen".  For those omnivores out there this point is to encourage you to add more fruits and veggies into your diet, your body will thank you. 

2) Love Thyself - This itself can be a huge topic to discuss about self love.  Surround yourself with people, habits, literature, experiences that elevate your soul and bring joy to your life.  Be good to your body in yoga class with breath initiated movement, and child pose if necessary.  Let go of the toxic habits and relationships that infringe on your mental and physical health.  Take some time to celebrate your victories rather than rant about being a victim, celebrate your beauty rather than focus on media influenced flaws, celebrate your blessings at every moment and more will pour into your life.  This is not to diminish any trauma that you may have gone through, rather to empower yourself to never be defined by a traumatic experience.  Yoga teachers who have found this love always shine with more compassion on others.  Yoga students who found this love tend to see all things with a loving, understanding and compassionate heart.

3) Words - Speak Lovingly always to yourself and others.  Our self dialogue is so powerful, therefore take some time to make affirmations beginning with "I AM" and be mindful of what we say afterwords.  Refrain from gossip, and even release the habit to speak in a way that would harm another persons reputation or feelings, even if it is true.  A true yogi knows the power of silence, a person with inner peace knows the power of loving words, and compassion.  We may not always get along, we may have disagreements, it is the path of the yogi to walk away, send loving thoughts, walk the loving path, and always choose forgiveness.

4) Oneness - While many would claim the word as tolerance, I feel oneness better describes the choice to look compassionately on things that challenge us.  Perhaps a situation is disappointing, take time to understand the disappointing emotional reaction is bringing up unresolved emotions that are like rippling waves in our life, leading us to the current tidal wave moments. It is easy to blame and point fingers, the yogi always aims to understand, which means understand what makes us react with passionate disturbance, our inner peace is ours and when we truly have oneness, we always shine like stars in the night sky.  

 "Nothing in the world can bother you as much as your own mind.  I tell you, in fact, others seem to be bothering you, but it is not others, it is your own mind." Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

5) Gratitude - Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and say thank you in every breath, your life is guaranteed to reflect many more things to be grateful for.  Perhaps you had your hopes set on achieving something or success in something, rather than put all your energy on the loss, be thankful for the experience and trust there is better for you.  Where your energy goes, energy flows both on and off your yoga mat.  Take time to be grateful for everything, family, friends, life, home, food, the list of things we can be grateful for, is usually greater than we tend to realize.  Perhaps your yoga practice is not where you would like it to be, you may have had a set back physically, relax, breathe, and be grateful for where it is, challenge yourself to quiet the inner dialogue of expectations, judgements, and just enjoy being in the moment and dance with your breath.

Those who study the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali in depth, take workshops or yoga teacher training may have the chance to learn more about the yoga sutras.  For those of you intimidated to take a yoga class, lose that fear and take a class, and see if you can add anything from this list into your daily routine.  For those of you who are yoga students already (including teachers) see if you can revisit something on this list for your own life.  Enjoy every moment and shine your love in every breath. ~ Namaste

Day 24 - Meditation to awaken from the illusion

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in the whole world, (MINE), and to all the other guys.  Today is day 24 of our meditation challenge.  I am so inspired by all of your stories and experiences that you have shared with me, thank you again for joining in.  While we have all by now adapted a meditation practice that works with us, sometimes just a simple affirmation, positive quote, scripture, poem, photo etc., basically an object for our attention is all we need to begin our meditation.  Today's word is below.  In your meditation can you come to the realization that every human, every animal, plant, place, experience, is all ONE.  There is nothing separate, there is no division, we are all connected ina divine fabric, to weave a Universe for growth and LOVE.

“We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh

More Oneness Bliss

The ultimate experience of bliss is fully discovered at the Oneness Awakening Course. While I can share with words how amazing the weekend was, the phrase a picture speaks a thousand words comes to full truth in the pictures we took. The entire group is glowing and it is actually captured in these amazing photos. Thank you again Michael Baez for introducing us to Oneness, thank you Catherine for facilitating the wonderful experience, thank you Adam, Kenneth, Aditi and Vishal for volunteering your time to make the weekend even more incredible, thank you teacher trainees, members of bamboomoves and my dear friend Joseph for bringing such incredible energy to the room and being vulnerable and receptive to the process, and of course Bhagavan and Amma for beginning such amazing program that transforms lives and allows people to come to full self-realization.

The Amazing Oneness Awakening Course

I am so grateful for an amazing weekend where I had the chance to participate in the Oneness Awakening Course. Oneness is a movement started in India, it is a non denominational movement intended to restore humanity to higher levels of consciousness. It is amazing. In my life I have been blessed with the most magnificent parents who instilled me faith, love, humility and so much more, which is the reason why I have been able to accept and be grateful for any circumstances in my life both good and bad.

However, this weekend I learned there is so much more to life, and their are things in my life that I just tolerated rather than accepted. Like everyone, I have been through my share of pain, but unlike some, I was forced to keep my pain to myself, Give it to God, and deal with it. I was isolated and dealt with my pain on my own, and never realized how much I resented this as my reality, and made this into a pattern. Dealing with things, is tolerance, and in no way acceptance. Despite the fact that I am joyful, cheerful and grateful, as years progressed the layers of the onion grew around my pain. I found myself irritated with people who wore their pain on their sleeve, creating drama and drawing attention to themselves. I found myself having these dramatic people brought to my life personally and professionally. I learned now that I needed to sit with my irritation, rather than pointing the finger, I needed to look at the three fingers that pointed back at me. I needed to see what was it in me that was irritated, not why but what. I discovered the girl who was unable to voice her pain, who felt isolated, who felt scared, and who felt hurt was resentful of the people who were able to bring their woes to the forefront. AMAZING! As I type this I have tears in my eyes of gratitude for full self realization, and while I could keep it to myself, I know that it is possible someone may read it, relate and find healing.

The entire weekend was epiphany after epiphany. With tremendous work on healing, with oneness blessings (which is transference of energy similar to reiki or laying of hands), and initiation into becoming a oneness facilitator.

Some of the phrases that stuck with me this weekend include:

• Suffering is not in the fact, rather it is in the perception of the fact.
• The root cause of suffering is when we feel separate, when we feel isolated.
• All learning is unlearning
• Our relationships create our reality (relationships with our self, our parents, our friends, with our past, with money, with God and with Nature)
• THE EXTERNAL WORLD IS A REFLECTION OF OUR INTERNAL WORLD
• If something in your world "triggers you" irritates you, it is not in that other person, but rather it is something deep within you, we must sit with our irritation and discover what it is.
• Do we really accept our past, or do we push it aside and lose ourselves in the process with behavior that only masks what is really going on.
• ANYTHING SOMEONE DOES THAT TRIGGERS YOU, REFLECTS HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT YOURSELF
• When it comes to relationships, are we always trying to change the other person, holding in our frustrations or are we accepting the other persons moment to be themselves, and accepting them fully?
• When we accept the people we are in relationships with, LOVE REMAINS CONSTANT, instead of feeling like strangers or roommates later on down the road.
• Tolerance is not love, it is not acceptance.
• Do we really listen to the people in our lives, do we breathe deep & call God to help us, or do we dance in an argument and lash out?

Since I decided I will be teaching Yoga professionally, I made the conscious decision I wanted to be a vessel for God to help people heal their mind, body and Spirit. I have read many self help books which are fantastic, and participated in Tony Robbins which was outstanding, and maintained my personal faith from childhood that has been the essence of my joy. But this weekend transformed my entire life, my heart, my vision, my reality and my awareness. I am so grateful to have participated in this weekend, and grateful to have done it with my teacher trainees, my future teacher trainees, and friends.

Along with the magnificent energy of the weekend, I had the chance to teach a Yoga class to the group, did some vogue moves across the room floor when we had a chance to dance (Stephanie you owe me ten bucks still for that) and sing some chants & play guitar during the blessing time. The Teacher Trainees joined in when I was singing the chant they had been given during their teacher training, which was amazing.

If you know you have a painful relationship with your parents, if you find that you get irritated with others quickly or often, if you have little love for yourself, and even if you think you are perfect, especially if you think you are perfect, you will benefit from the Oneness Blessing and Oneness Awakening Course. It truly is life transforming. For people who practice Yoga, this is the way to calm the "monkey mind" to fully experience "Chittra Vritti Nirodaha", to lose the ego, to lose the judgements and become aware of ourselves, to become conscious, to just be.

There are Oneness Blessing givers all over the world, and now there is an entire brigade in the Bronx. If you are interested in going to India to deepen your awareness at the Oneness University visit www.onenessuniversity.org.

Thank you Catherine for sharing this amazing experience with myself and the current Zoga Yoga Teacher Trainees, the next Trainees, and Members of Bamboomoves Bronx. Thank you Michael Baez for bringing the course to the Yoga Studio. Thank you Trainees for being receptive. Thank you Bhagavan and Amma for beginning this beautiful movement and school in India. I am so grateful for the experience, and look forward to visiting the school myself to become a facilitator.

Photo: Bhagavan and Amma, founders of the Oneness University in Chennai India

Rockstar Yogini - Carissa

A while back, I had posted a Rock Star Yogini post highlighting the efforts of a lovely Yogini who subbed my PreNatal class, Jessie. This post is to honor and recognize another Rock Star Yogini, Carissa. As a Yoga Instructor, I understand how we give our Mind, Body & Spirit to every breath of our classes in order to have our students feel the utmost benefits of the practice. It is so important when we uplift, appreciate, and shine light on the generous contributions to the yoga community by our instructors. Bamboomoves in Pelham Bay, BX is a fantastic growing Yoga community and I am thrilled to be part of it. Miss Carissa is not only a manager at the studio, she teaches both Yoga and Zumba. Her bright smile and kind heart are a joy to everyone. I want to recognize her especially, because, for a short time, she has been taking my Level 1 class, inspiring all the other students with her fluid practice, and towards the end of class she shares a "Oneness Blessing" As Carissa's schedule is very busy at the studio, the students in this class have been very spoiled with this amazing pre Savasana treat. Carissa has done the "Oneness" training along with Michael Baez (Owner of Bamboo), and she has so graciously shared this lovely gift with the students at the end of my classes. Along with Carissa's shinning contributions to the Yoga community, she is also a gifted Actress. Thank you Carissa for sharing your heart and your gifts. We love you! ~ Peace & hugs, Ambria

Saturdays at Bamboomoves

As the clock strikes 12 noon, the lovely people of Bamboomoves begin to line up their yoga mats. My body is warm from teaching the 9:30 Level 2 class and the Kids 11:00 class. Every week we have new faces that pour into the studio, and the regulars keep returning with joyful dedication to their health & wellness. As we sweat, twist, and strengthen our bodies, students are invited to detox their mind & spirit as well. While in the west, yoga is primarily focused on asana (posture) or the fitness aspect of the practice, asana is truly only one of the parts (limbs/paths) of yoga. Most classes at Bamboomoves introduce students to the various limbs of yoga beyond the asana practice. We usually incorporate Pranayama (Breath work), Dhyana (Meditation) and some verbal introduction to the Yamas and Niyamas. I can see why people get hooked on their Yoga practice, as finding enlightenment is the ultimate for everyone of us. This Saturday we had the most special treat of a "Oneness" blessing before we went into our Savasana, by our very own amazing Yoga Instructor/Manager at Bamboomoves, Carissa. Thank you Carissa for sharing such an amazing experience with the class. A brief list of the 8 Limbs of Yoga is:

1. Yama : Universal morality
2. Niyama : Personal observances
3. Asanas : Body postures
4. Pranayama : Breathing exercises, and control of prana
5. Pratyahara : Control of the senses
6. Dharana : Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness
7. Dhyana : Devotion, Meditation on the Divine
8. Samadhi : Union with the Divine

Oneness

Since I have been busy teaching Private Yoga sessions these days, I have been eager to take some Yoga classes myself. Tonight, I had the chance to experience Yoshimo's Yoga class at Bamboomoves. Many of the other people at the studio were surprised to see me there as a participant, rather than in the front teaching. I was so thrilled to be on my mat, and practicing with everybody as a student. There were over 35 people at Bamboomoves, our mats were lined up side by side, and the energy was incredible.

After the class, we had another treat of a Oneness blessing. In India, it is known as Deeksha or Diksha. Oneness is non-denominational, transfer of energy to raise levels of consciousness. As I have been spending more time in my own personal meditation and prayer, I felt as though this was such a timely experience. For me it was very similar to Reiki. I enjoyed the energy of the two oneness practitioners. The final treat of the day was the delicious Vegan Chocolate Cake that Michael bought to celebrate the people who completed the 21 days to health & wellness challenge. The cake was the yummiest!!! Congratulations to all of you who completed the challenge!!! ~Peace & Hugs, Ambria

For more information about Oneness visit : https://www.onenessnorthamerica.org/