Yoga with Divya

Yoga is not what you nor I decide it to be

Lately, more people have been asking me what I think Yoga is.
Well, to be honest, what I think Yoga is is not the question to ask.

That question presupposes we can each of us who practice Yoga just ‘come up with our own’ definition and idea of it - well,
on one level that is so, and democratic.

But,
that would also mean, consciously or not, willingly or not, the person answering that question would present Yoga as something that suits their own inclination and idea of what it is, and that would in turn have to based on their knowledge which is always going to be not only subjective, but limited (I include myself here)

Yoga is Yoga
Yes, there are different ancient texts in which Yoga is mentioned, then, much later ‘described’, but there is a through line of meaning.

Yoga
- it is not what I want it to be, nor what you want to hear it to be.
Yoga is not what sells best or most.
You already know Yoga is not stretching (though it’s fine to stretch, this is not an anti-stretch post).

So, while it’s my words and my inclination that has created this post - and the slides - see below - Yoga is not mine to tell you what it is.

But I what I can do is explain some basics, from that through line of the texts that described it:
Yoga is a state
& Yoga is a practice to bring you into a place of experiencing it.

Yoga, if you believe it exists, is there in each of us.

But that is of course still an idea.

And like all ideas, not everyone needs to be drawn to it or believe in it.

And that
Is just fine.

What we need to remember though, is
Yoga is not a plaything to pass around and impose interpretation

Yoga does have a meaning and an origination.

Be the environment for others to come up for air.
-tonight’s walk and reflection

This week’s Yoga

Balancing and calming as we move between the two eclipses.

Message: rest and recuperate where and in whatever ways you can.

End August: answers or change are illuminated

Wednesday: Yin Yoga - grounding
Sunday: Restorative Yoga - centering

https://bookwhen.com/yogawithdivya

Wednesdays' Solar Eclipse - is it hyped up?

Lots of excitement building up to the solar eclipse...

I have a friend and colleague who is steeped not only in astrology but also astronomy and spirituality. She is one of my sources for understanding the cosmological events that occur throughout the year.

Contrary to the excitement around it (which I know I was getting caught up in) -

she shared something on this solar eclipse that struck a chord:

"It is advisable to stay indoors for this solar eclipse or to be in a quiet place.

This is because this solar eclipse is highly charged and can tamper with your energy and thinking.

This solar eclipse carries deep karma movements and triggers long term shifts.

I advise being quiet. It is ideal if you can meditate during the height of the eclipse."

What do you think?

Knowing I will be in Yoga class now feels appropriate. I'm not trying to market my class btw!

But whatever and wherever you will be, and if you do choose to view it outdoors - which I think is totally fine in my view -

- let us perhaps give ourselves breathing space also.

Not force anything, and not make a song and dance about it.

And feel into what the energy of this time is guiding us to.

Love,
Divya

Solar Eclipse Yin Yoga
for those interested, with me, Wednesday 12th August, 6.30 - 7.30pm bst
https://bookwhen.com/yogawithdivya

Wednesday Yin Yoga
6.30 - 7.30pm live online class.
Tonight: opening the body for breath and freedom.
Link to schedule:
https://bookwhen.com/yogawithdivya

Mid-Summer Blessings to you All,

We are right on half way between the summer solstice and autumn equinox; dropping us right into mid-summer.

I hope you, and your plants!, are faring well.

Read on...

https://mailchi.mp/f4e741e00271/mid-summer-blessing-aug26-14092236

That link for:

-Top 3 Contributors to Wellbeing (according to a recent Yale University study into the science of wellbeing)

-Yin Yoga Mid Summer Class for Wednesday, link

-photos from drumming in a forest

Love to you all,
Divya

Tonight’s Full Moon.

This July 'Buck' Full Moon, tonight 29th, signifies:

-seeing things more clearly from our deeper intuitive place
-a resting point - and precursor, should we choose it, for a change

Our Yin Yoga Class tonight is a perfect container for the kind of rest needed not only for general wellbeing but for being able to see clearly.

You know how when we're tired or overwhelmed, we can search or ruminate all we like, but not know what a way forward is.

A deeper kind of rest delivers us to a place of being able to see clearer, and with less effort.

Yin Yoga - Wednesday
6.30 - 7.30pm bst online
https://bookwhen.com/yogawithdivya

Yale Study Says this is a Top 3 Contributor to Wellbeing: Savouring

A scientific study published by Yale University’s Psychology Department, share that:

’savouring’

is a key component of positive wellbeing.

Savouring a moment, an experience, is said to help us get the real benefit out of that experience - learning, memory and feeling truly alive.

In fact, so important is it, according to the professors behind the study, that they put it in the TOP 3 most important contributors to wellbeing!

Read my full piece on Savouring, what it means, and its connection to Yoga, in this week's newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/a19b7380b733/savouring-yogawithdivya-july26-14091921?e=f415d5afe7