by Jeff Martens sarvahrthataikahgratayoho kshayodayau cittasya samahdhi-parinahmaha Inner wholeness dawns when the mind’s many wanderings collapse into one-pointed focus. Yoga Sutra 3.11 The Zen Master Rinzai was known far and wide throughout the land as the greatest living archer. Bowmen of all levels would come from great distances to be near him and perchance, to see him practice his art. …
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“The Main Event”
by Jeff Martens “Ladies and Gentlemen, Happy New Year and Welcome to the Main Event! This is the present-moment you have all been waiting for, the eternal now, the time and place where YOUR life actually IS. Welcome to the bungle in the jungle, the stage in the cage, and the fling in the ring!” As the announcer’s voice booms …
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Karma, Freedom and the Emptiness of Time By Jeff Martens The Heart of the River I want to jump into the Colorado River’s 50 degree silt-brown water and lay my cheek against Vishnu’s skin! Visible only in certain stretches at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, this rock is blacker than black, so black that it shines blue as midnight …
Terrifying Meditation
Ask The Yogi Terrifying Meditation with guest ‘Yogi’ Maredith Q: I was meditating recently, looking into a mirror in a class when I saw what, for me was a terrifying sight. My body began to decay like a corpse right before my eyes. The only thing left on my face were my eyes, perfectly unchanged by the situation, the little …
Ask the Yogi – Yoga and Healing the Spine
Yoga and Healing the Spine Q: I am busy 36 year old mother of two young boys and a business owner. For as longs as I can remember I have suffered from low back, butt, hip and leg pain. Any advice? I have no idea why I’ve ignored the pain and tried to push through it by adding more physical activity …
Ask the Yogi – Yoga and Headaches
Headaches and Yoga (Answered by Michelle Hegmon) Q: After yoga class the next day I usually have a mild headache (i think this is due to dehydration), and once that goes away, and it does, i still have a head cold feeling. What causes this? A: You’ve raised lots of possible questions, and there are lots of possible answers. In order to …
Ask the Yogi-Urdhva Dhaurasana
Strength for Practicing Deep Backbends Q. How do I get strong enough to do urdhva dhanurasana? A. A: Urdhva Dhanurasana or Upward-Facing Bow is a deep backbend requiring the significant integration of strength, flexibility and alignment. It also requires a fairly open thoracic spine and a harmonic integration of the heart, rib cage and shoulders. Many people believe that it …
Ask The Yogi: Panic Attacks
Ask The Yogi Q: I have suddenly started to experience some very annoying and hindering panic attacks. There should be no apparent reason for this, as I am doing what I love (teach keep fit and dance) and generally feel quite happy with myself but somewhere along my way I have lost all confidence in myself and forever worry about …
Ask the Yogi: Round Back in Forward Bends
Ask the Yogi: Round Back in Forward Bends Ask The Yogi Q: My back always rounds in forward bends. Is this a problem? A: A round back in forward bends can be the result of several different forces. Tight shoulders, “armored” thoracic spine, weak lower back or abdominal wall and the most common causes of tight hips or hamstrings. Usually a …
Ask The Yogi: Follow Your Dharma
Follow Your Dharma: The Difference Between Quitting and Surrender By Jeff Martens In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna rides with his chariot driver Krishna (an avatar or God incarnate) into a no-man’s land between two vast armies about to wage war. After seeing friends, teachers, family cousins and brothers arrayed on both sides of the battlefield, Arjuna, the greatest archer of his …