Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Changing Perspectives, Healing Stories, Health, Life, Music, Mysticism, Philosophy, Yoga.
Tags: American Heart Association, Amit Ray, Banani Ray, Carry app, chakras, marma, nadis, yoga
[*This time last year, I mentioned that the Carry app had won an American Heart Association startup grant and was in the running for a second national grant. While we didn’t win the public popularity vote, the initial grant is funding the videos we are currently filming – videos featuring some new (to Carry) yoga teachers and a wide range of pregnant and postpartum people. During our first day of filming, we completed videos suitable for all trimesters – and the things one might experience during the different trimesters: different moods and schedules, as well as different aches and ailments. There’s a little something for everyone, and I think everyone experiencing the journey of parenthood will see themselves reflected on the app.
For Those Who Missed It: A variation of the following was originally posted in October 2021. References to a “floating holiday” have been deleted.
“Enormous activities are going on in our body; in our brain, in our heart, in our digestive system and in every cell of the body. Few people are aware of their physical beings. Body is the starting point in the spiritual journey.
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The dynamic play of the energy of pure consciousness is taking place in each cell of our body, in every moment. The subtle vibrations and the movement of the energies in the body are the doorways to realize the Divine union.”
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– quoted from OM Sutra: The Pathway to Enlightenment by Amit Ray and Banani Ray
It is easier to remember that other people have had experiences that I have never had than it is to remember that I have had experience that other people have never had. For instance, I am amazed at how often I have to remind myself that everyone – even people with whom I have shared the practice for over a decade – haven’t taken every class; read every blog post, article, and book; seen every movie, play, ballet, and concert; and/or heard every dharma talk, sermon, parashah, lecture, interview, and TedTalk that I have taken, read, seen, and/or heard. Sometimes I actually chuckle at the number of times a week that I have to remind myself of Yoga Sūtra 2.20, which states that we can only see what our mind-intellect shows us and we can only understand what we are shown.
So, every once in a while, I chuckle at myself and remember to reintroduce some foundational aspect of my practice.
Today is one of those foundation days.
Since I am not teaching on Zoom today, people on the Wednesday class list, will receive links to previously recorded practices. If you are not on the Wednesday list, you can request an audio recording of either practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email me at myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.]
The playlist that we originally used for this practice is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “07112020 An Introduction”]
Alternatively, another playlist that will also work is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “05252022 Pratyahara II”]
Here is a previous post related to this practice.
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, playlists, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es). If you don’t mind me knowing your donation amount you can also donate to me directly. Donations to Common Ground are tax deductible; class purchases and donations directly to me are not necessarily deductible.)
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### WHAT ARE YOU PRACTICING? ###
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Changing Perspectives, Gratitude, Life, Yoga.
Tags: American Heart Association, Carry app, Marie "Bluebird" Lamfrom, Maya Page, prenatal yoga
“Research proves that these tools lower anxiety, pain, depression, and even help birth outcomes.
And the good news is that anyone can breathe with intention… and anyone can move their body in simple yoga shapes….”
– Maya Page, co-founder of the Carry app
As many of you know, I am a big believer in every body having a yoga body and there being a yoga practice for everybody. That doesn’t mean that every body should do the same physical practice and/or the same poses. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It means that I believe yoga is (and should be) inclusive and accessible. My belief in the inclusivity and accessibility of yoga is one of the main reasons I offer variations on poses (and themes); build poses and sequences from the ground up – which is consistent with Patanjali’s instructions and Dianne Bondy’s “Bus Stop Method;” and suggest modifications when needed so people can find what works for them.
When we were in person, I would typically adjust to accommodate the people in the room. That meant including modifications if someone indicated they needed to skip the arm balancing. That meant that if someone had a hip replacement, I might not suggest a ton of internally rotated poses and if someone had knee issues, I would offer different ways to cushion the knee, support the shin, and/or suggest an alternate pose. Naturally, if someone was pregnant, I included prenatal variations. Sometimes I even added specific prenatal elements that I knew would be appreciated by everyone with hips.
As we’ve spent the last year+ online, I’ve offered people the opportunity to practice with a recording. Since I don’t always know who’s using the recordings, there are certain elements, like modifications to skip the arm balancing and prenatal variations, that are now incorporated into every practice. However, if you’ve ever been pregnant or thought about being pregnant, you know that sometimes you want a space that is just for you and where you are on your journey. You want a space that’s dedicated to you and where you are in your journey. Whether you are pregnant, working on or struggling to get pregnant, post partum, and beyond, you want a community that supports you, even (sometimes) carries you. And, these days, you need to be able to carry that community with you.
Several years ago, one of my “yoga mamas” (Maya P) asked if I would be interested in working on a new prenatal yoga app that would included movement and meditation practices, as well as education resources, for every stage of a person’s journey. Naturally, I said yes. Now, along with Carry co-founder Heather Christine, I am a featured teacher on the Carry app (which is available on Apple platforms).
I am telling you all of this because the Carry app won an American Heart Association startup grant that was awarded as part of the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator for Oregon and Southwest Washington. Maya and the app are now in the running for a national grant from the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation. The current and (hopefully) future grant will go towards outreach and the creation of more content. Maybe even more content featuring yours truly. Anyone with an email address can vote for the app – and you can vote multiple times (as long as you only vote once every 24 hours).
2023 EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™
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A Joyful Practice 