More Joy, Less fear, Intention Fulfilled

Dear Yogis!

Here we are again! The September equinox and beginning of the astronomical autumn. The Harvest Moon shone its joy in abundance this week. Usually, at this time of the year, I would be writing from our magical Kapsali yoga retreat in Kythera and a little lacking in sleep from watching night after night of the round, shiny holiness in the starry Greek sky. (Sigh!)

I came across this quote that reminded me of the retreat from Rod Stryker in his book The Four Desires. He says that there are three signs of the effectiveness of one’s practice: “More joy, less fear, and a shortening of the time between creating an intention and having it come to fruition”. (My intention to hold another retreat has been waiting for fulfilment for a while…!)

Fulfilment, Stryker says, doesn’t depend on outward, ideal circumstances. Ah, yes! It comes from you. It is you! Stryker says this kind of self-generated, accessible, satisfying fulfilment is usually hidden, masked by the world of things but it is constantly available if you know ‘how to access silence’. Not monastic, occupational silence! Luckily, Stryker says, you don’t have to make a choice between worldly, material pleasure and the inner bliss fulfilment.

The Tantrics knew this and showed how to ‘discover the infinite potential of your body, your mind, and the beauty of your soul’. They viewed this world as heaven, to be realised though awakening your dormant potential. And by what methodology do you do that? Why, of course, through effective yoga practice which will point the way towards “More joy, less fear, and a shortening of the time between creating an intention and having it come to fruition”.

Zoom Classes 

I was lucky enough to be in a yoga podcast last week with three other spectacular yoga voices: Justine Sullivan who was hosting, Sarvira who some of you will know from Triyoga and her beautiful Restorative classes, and Ori Das. Have a listen, it’s only an hour. And come to class today. As I write this, three people are booked for today’s class! Join us!!! For all classes and especially today, you can book here.

Yoga in the news 

The Daily Mail has: Bosses should offer free yoga to protect staff mental health, guidelines suggest. ‘The report comes after a 2020 study by Deloitte, estimated that poor mental health among staff costs UK firms up to £45billion a year.’

Everyday Health has: Overdoing Yoga: Signs, Complications, and Outlook. ‘According to a survey of 1,336 yoga teachers published in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, excess effort is one of the most common causes of injury during yoga. The instructors reported that the most common injuries involved the neck, lower back, knee, shoulder, and wrist.’

The Times has: Is flexibility important? Why yoga may not be worth it. ‘Using ultrasound, Tilp (Markus Tilp, an exercise scientist at the University of Graz in Austria) showed that when we stretch, “both the tendon and the muscle elongates by about 5 to 10 per cent depending on the muscle”.’

TechRound has: The Future of Yoga is Hybrid. ‘In a survey conducted last spring, 43% of yoga teachers said they would like to keep teaching on Zoom after lockdown, and 46% of the students said they would like to keep practicing online after lockdown.’

Discoveries of the week: carrot-leaf pesto and vegan parmesan.

Bon appetite.