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On Living & Breathing From the Heart:
In our classes I often mention how important it is to breathe deeply from and through the heart, and to move with breath consciousness. When you practice yoga with love, your attitude shines through the alignment of your asana. A stubborn, wondering, or ego-mind leads to misalignment in your asana and in turn strain in your heart and mind. It is all connected. You know that your breathing is the inhalation and exhalation of air. The organ that serves for this is the lungs that lie around your heart, so that the air passing through them thereby envelops your heart. Thus breathing is a natural way to the heart.
And so, in our next class together, after having collected your mind within you... lead it into the channel of breathing through which air reaches your heart and, together with this inhaled air, force your mind to descend into the heart and to remain there. With practice (Abhysa) during that hour or more of your yoga class, not only will you move into an asana with presence, peace, and love, but you may also develop the ability to remain in that state throughout your daily life too... benefiting not only yourself, but the rest of the world as well.
Om Hrdaya Namaha
I bow to the heart consciousness in all.
~ Ashley
"There is one way of breathing that is shameful and constricted.
Then, there's another way: a breath of love that takes you all the way to infinity."
~Rumi
Yoga Sutra of the Month
Two core principles: Practice (abhyasa, 1.13) and non-attachment (vairagya, 1.15) are the two core principles on which the entire system of Yoga rests (1.12). It is through the cultivation of these two that the other practices evolve, by which mastery over the mind field occurs (1.2), and allows the realization of the true Self (1.3).
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Abhyasa/Practice: Abhyasa means having an attitude of persistent effort to attain and maintain a state of stable tranquility (1.13). To become well established, this needs to be done for a long time, without a break (1.14). From this stance the deeper practice continues to unfold, going ever deeper towards the direct experience of the eternal core of our being.
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Vairagya/Non-attachment: The essential companion is non-attachment (1.15), learning to let go of the many attachments, aversions, fears, and false identities that are clouding the true Self.
They work together: Practice leads you in the right direction, while non-attachment allows you to continue the inner journey without getting sidetracked into the pains and pleasures along the way.
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Sedona Hot Yoga & Yoga on the Rocks & in the Parks!
Sedona Hot Yoga: Namaste lovely yogi's. I am now offering two classes at Sedona Hot Yoga every single Friday and Saturday. Thank you so much for mentioning to Jenn that you are interested in more Blessed Yoga Classes! Friday's class begins at 5:30 p.m. and is a spicy vinyasa flow. Saturday's class is at 8:30 a.m. and is a slow flow in which we take our time to work on our alignment and breath work. My updated schedule can be found on my website as well as the Sedona Hot Yoga website. The classes I offer at Sedona Hot Yoga are founded on the principals of Kriya/Vinyasa/Hatha Yoga, where movement is coordinated with breath and intention. Aromatherapy, chanting, bandha work, visualization, chakra work, and pranayama are also often integrated within these flows. Be prepared to chant, move, breathe, dance, and connect to nature and the divine beauty that resides in all of us. I promise you a long and restful savasana for all of your hard work and self love... mmm...
Yoga on the Rocks: The weather is warming up and I am so looking forward to practicing outside in the warm fresh air. I love the sound of the wind in the trees and the view of the sky while in savasana... There's nothing like it and I would love to share that experience with you too. If you happen to notice the weather is beautiful and warm some day soon, feel free to call me to arrange a private or group class! Whether you need a full one or two hour class, or even just a 45 minute flow while on your lunch break; yoga is a great way to escape the desk or your normal routine. Even a 45 minute class over your lunch hour works to de-stress and makes for more productivity and harmony in the work place. Bring a coworker along with you and share the yoga love outside on Sedona's gorgeous red rocks or in her parks among lush green grass. The choice is yours.
❤ A Note from Ashley ❤
Vinyasa is a natural sequence unfolding with creative intelligence - a conscious evolution connecting each moment with unifying breath; a form of moving meditation. Within it, we explore embodying and living yoga in full spectrum - sun to moon, wild to sublime, fullness to simplicity, action and being. There is yoga for everyone. Please let me know how I can serve your path.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti,
♥ Ashley Cruz |
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