Welcome to the Yogalosophy homepage, where you can follow the intention of the month.
What is Yogalosophy (View Video):
I have found that changing my attitude affects my emotions, and my body changes accordingly. Sometimes I am motivated by nurture, sometimes by intensity. My motivational hybrid technique revolves around cycles of change. Yogalosophy can help you use the natural flow to recreate your body through intentions, emotions, and other motivational triggers.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009
Click here for August/September 2009
Click here for July/August 2009
CULTIVATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BODY
This month's themes (click below):
Relationship
My body is my primary relationship. Love affairs end, children grow up, parents pass, friends drift apart, the workplace and coworkers change. All relationships come and go, but the one constant in my life that is with me through all of it is this body. I consider it my primary relationship, and it has had many different incarnations. At times I have been demanding and hard on myself like an abusive lover, trying to whip myself into shape with punishment. I have been a patient mother, sitting with injuries as they heal, and even my own best friend, listing the things I love about my body. Notice the type of relationship you have to your body. When I am practicing yoga, I cultivate more patience and self-love. I begin to notice the voice in my head, and how I speak to myself when I am challenged by a pose. Imagine the way that you would want to be treated by your ideal mate, and treat yourself just that way. The workout is the exact place where I am asked to show up for that relationship and challenge myself in the most loving way to grow and be the best I can, without judgment. If you notice that you are being hard on yourself, that is good. You have noticed. Now see if you can replace negativity with more encouraging thoughts. Allow me to guide and encourage you with my audio download at Mandy's Music Lounge.
Union
Yoga literally means union. We are bringing together our light and dark, masculine and feminine. Yin and Yang. I am such a blend of energies. When I notice myself particularly repellant to a certain behavior or person, I tend to try it on for size. For example, I dislike cat-callers so one day I howled out my window at a few people... and it felt amazing! I totally get why they do it. I remember being disgusted by some gum stuck under my seat at the movies. “Who does that?”, I thought. Then I decided to try it myself: “I do”.
I strive to unite my opposites. There is really no joy without grief. There is no good or bad. We all possess polarities within us that demand integration. I truly feel that I am a blend of both my parents. I have my father's drive, but also his temper. I have my mother's humor and kindness but also her defensiveness. How can I bring this blend together? I am here to completely accept and work with ALL aspects of myself. The more I can bring these qualities into the open, the more I am able to access their power. Watch the Balance Series I did with Exercise TV.
Balance
Balance is two forces extending in opposite directions. Balance is not static. We tend to think that balance is stillness, but the truth is that finding balance is being in constant flux. Balance poses requires me to be 100 percent present in the moment. When attempting a balance pose, notice that when you over think it, it doesn’t happen. Try to do warrior 3 while you are thinking about what you need at the grocery store later. Energy flows where the mind goes, so if your mind is at the market, there is no attention to your pose. Imagine how this translates into the rest of your life. We all practice imperfectly, so some days I am not as able as others. That teaches me to be humble. Click here for my mini balance routines.
Below are some guidelines to help you with these challenging poses:
- Gazing point
They say when the gaze is still, the mind is still. - Breath
When you focus on your breath and the natural rhythm of your body, the mind begins to relax. The mind needs a focus, so the breath can be a soothing solution. - Extension
Balance is largely about extension. There is a dynamic energy in balancing.
Beauty
Notice what is already beautiful about your body, see the beauty in what's around you. Even the most seemingly tragic situations hold beauty. Meditate or practice in nature and beauty. When I am feeling unlovable, I remember that everything in nature is beautiful. I don't look at a roly poly puppy and think it's "fat" or "ugly" if it has a marking on it's face. There are no imperfect flowers in nature. I see the beauty in all of my students in much the same way. We come in such a wide variety, but I always say that if aliens came down and saw us, we would all seem basically the same. Beauty is a matter of perspective. Try listing 3 things that are beautiful about yourself. This month, find the elegance and grace in your practice. For some tips on loving yourself this month click here.
Marriage
Having grown up in a family where there was divorce, the idea of marriage really scares me. This fear that full commitment may lead to loss has pushed me to choose something where the loss would be good... weight loss! I am married to exercise as a part of life. Marriage (I hear) is not always easy. For me, it is a loving commitment to my body, and to fulfill my “vows” I exercise consistently, whether I feel like it or not. I try to treat my body with the respect it deserves.
When practicing yoga or exercise, some of the qualities I experience are: Acknowledgment for a job well done, Gratitude for a healthy body that can move and breathe, Communication in asking my body what is okay and modifying when necessary. Feeling and sensing. Playing and enjoying my body. Perfecting and cleansing with diet. Finding balance through turbulence and my body's breakdowns, and learning from my breakthroughs. Setting short term goals, and sharing with my community as a part of my spiritual practice... Which is to be married to my body. Join my Facebook and Twitter community for more on Yogalosophy. Music is the great spirit that connects my physical body to something greater. Click here for my music mixes this month which revolve around love.
Astrological Forecast | Yoga Poses of the Month | Tips and Links