Nantucket yoga

Yoga is.

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FullSizeRenderYoga can be anything you want it to be.

It’s a practice. It’s a lifestyle. Not just an hour on the mat. It’s physical, dietary, philosophical + unifying. The physical poses are just a small hill compared to the mountain of trying to climb over your false ego, bad habits and things you’d like to change.

The yoga pose is not the goal.

Becoming flexible is not the goal.

Standing on your hands is not the goal.

The GOAL is to create space where you were once stuck. To unveil the layers of protection you’ve built around your heart. To appreciate your body and become aware of the mind and the noise it creates. To make peace with who you are. The goal is LOVE.

For me, yoga today, was weight training and heavy bags.

JJ

xx

The practice

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I spent the last 4 nights and five days taking care of my nieces and nephews. Life-swapping with my sister. She went on a mini-vacation and I stayed at her house, watching all the kids.

Commuting. Driving. Dropping off. Homework. Baths. Outfits. Laundry. Dinners. Breakfasts. Refereeing fights. Sports. Walking dogs.

I set the alarm for yoga. I didn’t think I’d do it. Too tired. Up too late. Yoga was a last minute thought. I knew if I made it, I’d be happy. I got up. I dropped the kids at school. Hustled home to get dressed and jumped back on the highway. I MADE IT. Two minutes to spare.

Tadasana, Urdhva hastasana, Uttanasana, Anjaneyasana, Plank, Chaturanga dandasana, Urdhva mukha svanasana, Adho mukha svanasana, over and over again. 

The room was warm. The music was soothing + alive. I moved my body. I flowed to my edge. I breathed. In and out. Right to the point where I wanted to give up and I surrendered. On my exhale I would leave behind all that is not needed. I kept going.

Tadasana, Urdhva hastasana, Uttanasana, Anjaneyasana, Plank, Chaturanga dandasana, Urdhva mukha svanasana, Adho mukha svanasana, over and over again. 

Grounding down. Twisting. Inhaling. Rising up. Exhaling. Folding down. Letting go. Inhale to lengthen. Exhale to fall. Opening my throat.

Breathing it all in. Exhaling it all out.

Sanskrit fills my ears. Sweat drips down my skin. My muscles move into the poses without thinking. I come to a place of stillness. Quiet. Presence. I know I’ve made it. I’m home. Nothing else matters. I feel free.

Savasana. Corpse pose. The class is silent. I lay on my mat. I feel grateful. I feel my heartbeat. The sound of the Universe in my chest. Energy gathers. Vibrations rise and fall.

The class is silent, but I still hear it. Inside of me.

Hands to heart center. Bow deep.

I leave class and get back to it. I pick up the kids. Homework. Sports. Dinner. Fights. Bedtime. All with a grateful heart.

Mantras

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First, let me tell you that the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet are called Matrika, meaning little mothers.

Such a descriptive label for letters!

Mantras are syllables, words, or verses that are spoken aloud or repeated silently in the mind. When we chant or sing or speak these mantras, the vibrations become a reality within our beings and within our experience.

To understand mantras, you must understand Science. The power of mantras lies in the Naad, in the vibration of the sound current. Because everything that we are is vibration, the Naad influences body, mind and spirit. Thus, the power of the word, is the power of sound vibration.

Use mantras to heal, transform and create.

You can sing mantras. Chant mantras. Speak them out loud. Repeat them softly to yourself.

Your mantra can be in English or Sanskrit or any other language.

Some of my favorites are “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo” which translates to “I call upon divine wisdom and I bow to this wisdom” or “So hum” which means “I am that”.

Others can be “Let it go” or “I am loved”. Repeat until it is etched in to every fiber of your being.

Mantras can be spoken or read. Tape words to your fridge or pin stuff to your pinboard. Read them until the words ring true.

Make them a part of your daily practice.

Still not sure? Download Snatum Kaur’s album and play it when you’re running, reading or in the bath tub.

Put them to the test and see for yourself.

JJ

xxx

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