The Observer

In Sanskrit the word ‘Drashta’ means ‘the witness’ or the observer.  It is the aspect of the Self that is able to observe one’s actions, thoughts, and emotions.  We cultivate the observer attitude by concentration on the third eye center, or the space between the eyebrows. This is a very important yogic practice, as without cultivating the attitude of ‘the observer’ we tend to create dramas in our lives and perpetuate victim mentalities.  For when you can observe your experiences, as from a vantage point slightly ‘removed’ from the situation, you are able to see that you are not your experiences, you are not your thoughts, you are not your emotions, but rather – you are something greater than all of these things.  The observer attitude allows one to live in peace and harmony whilst enjoying the happenings of life, no matter their expression.

Take just a few moments every day to gaze up into your third eye center.  Do this until it feels uncomfortable and then relax your eyes.  Repeat often.  Doing this simple practice brings amazing results as you will begin to literally ’see’ your life anew.

-Stasia Bliss

Top 10 Places to Do Yoga

More and more people are beginning to realize that you can do yoga most anywhere.  Yoga is more than a bunch of postures, but a state of mind, an attitude, a way of life.  If you can incorporate even one technique into the most seemingly mundane situations you can magically turn any moment into a yoga moment.

For example:

1) The Shower – Many of us have had our finest vocal moments in the shower, and many of us have left it at that.  The shower is a great place to really hear yourself and experience the power of sound.  It is a great place to practice chanting – or Mantra yoga.  You don’t have to be an expert, just let the sounds come out of your body – feel the intonation, the reverberation as you let out ‘Ham’, ‘Vam’, ‘Lam’, ‘Yam’,'Ram’ ‘OM’….the sounds of the chakras.  Play with it – repeat the same mantra sound over and over again, ride it out, deepen it, elongate the feeling of the letters in your mouth.  You will feel refreshed and rejuvenated after this simple technique that is sure to turn every shower into a spa experience.  Mantra yoga also massages your vocal chords keeping away that ‘need to clear your throat’ sensation that is common in the mornings.

2) The Car – Yes, the car is a great place to practice breath work!  By breathing consciously we lower stress levels and increase our general awareness.  Simply try noticing your breath as you drive.  Slow it down, elongate it.  Hear the gentle snoring sound in the back of your throat of the inhale and exhale breath.  Brilliant.  At stop lights take a moment and rotate the wrists in time with your breath.  Turn your head gently from side to side.  Feel the buttocks sinking into your seat.   Body awareness and just a few simple moves will keep you from feeling anxious and tense in the car.

3) The Elevator – Why not?  Even if it’s just for one floor, the elevator is a place where we wait.  So, why not enhance the experience by adding a little practice of observation.  Many of us naturally do this in an elevator, but if not – see if you can allow yourself to become aware of everything in the elevator with you.  Every other person, their shoes, the buttons, the view, the texture of the walls, floor, ceiling.  Briefly take in the sounds, smells and size of your environment, you will find yourself renewed with a new sense of vision when you leave this small space!

4) In front of the Computer – It’s true many of us spend over 5 hours per day in front of a computer screen.  With all of those electromagnetic waves and that crazy position day in and day out it’s a good idea to have a few techniques to keep your body and mind in optimum health.  Try moving your gaze away from the screen at least every half an hour.  If you can’t leave your desk, just pause – turn just your eye gaze as far off to the right as you can, then back to just above your screen. Now do the same thing to the left side, and back to center.  Then up toward the ceiling, then to the floor.  Now move your eyes in a circle – first clockwise, then counter-clockwise.  This simple exercise is great for your eyes and keeps them from feeling strained at the end of the day.  It is also great for keeping your vision strong.

5) In Line (anywhere) – We are all bound to find ourselves in line somewhere at various times of the day or week.  While standing in line you have the perfect opportunity to practice your balance.  Whether standing with a shopping cart or holding articles for purchase in your hands, take the time to stand up straight and move the weight over to one foot – now pick up the other.  See if you can breath ten full breaths while balanced on one foot.  You don’t have to lift the foot very far off the floor – just enough to give one leg the balance.  Now do it on the other side and if you still have time, repeat the practice!  Balance in the body breeds balance in the mind!

6) On the phone – A great place to practice the ‘observer mind’.  Starting making it a point, whenever you pick up the phone to ‘turn on the witness’.  This means, that who ever you are speaking to on the phone will receive you as a peaceful encounter. This happens when we do not attach ourselves to the outcome of the conversation, but rather just experience it as it happens with a light sense of curiosity and entertainment.  It isn’t that we don’t ‘take seriously’ what the other person has to say – but then again, what in life is truly serious?  With the observer mind you are able to experience every phone conversation with equanimity and poise.  There is beauty in this.

7) The Toilet – I know you thought I might not mention it, but we each visit this sacred abode at least 3 times a day, do we not?  What a better opportunity to practice two powerful mudras.  There are many other practices we could mention here, but none is more appropriate than these two.  Requiring first the simple method of stopping and starting the flow of urine – this is called Vajorli mudra. The second is Ashwini mudra, the rapid cotraction of the anal sphincter muscles.  Both of these mudras not only bring more health to this region of the body, but stimulate awareness of the first chakra of the body – moolandhara chakra.  Moolandhara is responsible for our feelings of security, safety, abundance and grounding.

The Airplane – Many of us spend a great deal of time on the airplane.  There are very simple practices that can make time spent on the plane for our benefit.  First, begin by removing your shoes.  With your in-breath, scrunch your toes as tightly as you can, and on your out-breath, spread you toes wide apart.  Repeat.  Next, flex the feet while you inhale, and point your toes while you exhale.  Do this a number of times.  Take  few breaths to rotate your ankle in both directions.  Now pull one knee up toward your chest with your breath, now your other.  Now move to your hands and repeat similar movements by beginning with clenched fists.  You get the picture!  Don’t forget your neck.  Take time to breath in and out while you move your head slowly all the ways it can go.  Use this time in flight to soar into your yoga practice!! Enjoy.

9) Taking out the Trash – Here is the opportunity to practice equanimity.  To avoid the labels of ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ is a common yogic philosophy.  It allows us to be at peace with everything that is happening in our experience – equally.  So, while tying the trash bag, allow yourself to repeat this simple mantra to yourself ‘this too is bliss’.  Repeat it all the way to the outside can, even if the trash bag splits and spills at your feet.  If you have someone else taking the trash out for you it is your perfect opportunity to practice the meaning of ‘Namaste’:  The divine within me sees and honors the divine within you!  Thank you!!

10) And Finally Yoga in Bed – Well we do spend a great percentage of our lives in bed – so whether waking or trying to get to sleep we have a beautiful opportunity to stretch the body, take deep breaths and express gratitude for the day.  If you are just waking up, take a moment and speak words of gratitude for what you are thankful for, what you would like to experience and open yourself up to the beautiful little surprises that await you this day.  If you are just getting into bed, take time to acknowledge all that has come into your realm this day and grant it all the blessing of your heart so that no act, person nor thought may taint your dreams.  You have the power to continue to create miracles for yourself each and every day – so take the opportunity to make it happen.

There are so many other places that we can apply the concepts of yoga.  As you can see, yoga is an attitude, a way of life.  Find yourself practicing everywhere you go today beginning with these 10 common places and see your world transform!

Thanks for practicing.

-Stasia Bliss

Access your whole being with Forrest Yoga

Rebecca Perry, Owner and Master teacher of Yogatry is happy to announce her new certification as a Forrest Yoga instructor!

Forest Yoga is an innovative yoga that allows you to not only gain strength in your physical body, but to access emotion and spiritual clarity in your whole life. Forrest Yoga is truly a ‘whole-life’ yoga as it offers a sacred space for healing within the yoga practice itself.  Most yoga available today does work to support the whole person, but much of the styles available do this in a round-about way, focusing mainly on the physical – leaving it up to the practitioner to make the connections to the rest of their life.  Forrest Yoga is different.  By offering tools within the practice itself – such as responding authentically and finding delight – the yogi is set free to be the person they were meant to be and avoid feeling inferior to the poses themselves.

To find out more about Forrest Yoga visit the website: www.forrestyoga.com

Meditation

Meditation practices don’t have to be complex, in fact the simplest technique can give the best results. Take Ohm-ing for example.  Sitting in a comfortable seated position, closing your eyes and repeating the mantra ‘OM’ (pronounced as O-H-M) can be an amazing way to tune out unwanted thoughts and bring you into a still, centered space inside.  Set your timer for say, 5 minutes to begin, so you don’t keep opening your eyes to see how long you’ve been at it.  Then settle into your position, straighten your spine and begin.

Sound of OM

The sound O-H-M comes from the three parts of your body that can make sound.  The ‘O’ comes from deep in your belly.  The ‘H’ comes from in your throat, and the ‘M’ sound is the mouth. Try it! You can feel the sound moving from the gut to the pallet.  OM is Sanskrit and is thought to be the sound of creation – the first sound made when the Universe was formed.  Now that’s a powerful mantra!  A mantra, when intoned, also creates a specific pattern -if measured in a laboratory – called a yantra.  The pattern created with the OM sound is called the Sri Yantra. The Sri Yantra is a combination of upward triangles overlapped by downward pointing triangles numbering 9 in total.   This is thought to represent the balance of masculine and feminine energy.  An extremely potent design in the world of sacred geometry.

So, try a simple ‘OM’ meditation.  Even if you don’t completely understand the dynamics of this technique, Ohm-ing 5 minutes a day is sure to reduce stress and enhance your daily activities and interactions!

Welcome Ohm!

Yoga Retreats

Check back for up-coming retreats!

See ‘Workshops’ section to find out about planning your own Sacred Journey!

Services

We currently offer the following types of sessions -

Private - One on One classes -in your home or other reserved space {add Reiki to your session -ask for details}

• great for individuals who work best with individual instruction
• beneficial for those in accident recovery or targeting specific challenges

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Corporate - schedule classes at your place of business

• strengthen the force of your corporation or small business by adding yoga to the schedule
• yoga classes held on-site boosts morale

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Group –  private group sessions available

• great for groups with similar needs such as senior populations, teens and new mothers
• bring friends together to experience the empowering gift of yoga
• add a yoga practice to your wedding day, camping trip, retreat or community gathering

Call 503.449-6407  for additional information and  rates