Here is a place where you can ask any and all types of questions related with yoga, health, meditation, and more.
What I understand I will share, what I do not know I will refer you elsewhere.
So let me know – what is it that you would like to know?
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I WORK AT NIGHT AND I NOTICE THAT YOUR CLASSES ARE IN THE EVENING AT YOUR VARIOUS LOCATION. WILL YOU HAVE MORNING OR AFTER NOON CLASSES ANYTIME SOON?
Hi Linda,
Thanks for asking…
We currently offer morning classes on Tues, Thurs, Fri, & Sat. See our schedule page, https://renyoga.com/2023redesign/schedule.html
IN ADDITION, it looks like that staring Friday, April 17, we will be offering an early afternoon class at Curves (Dunkirk). So that will be another option.
If you have difficulty finding a class, please do let me know.
Thanks for your inquiry,
Satyam
I’m was wondering how to keep from being like a pendulum in my spiritual and yogic practices. I find that I stay well balanced for a time, eating well..practicing yoga..meditation..etc..then it seems I swing the opposite way and don’t want to practice or do anything at all relating to spirituality. Do you, or others, have experience with this type of issue? If so why does it arise? I’m sure it’s individual on some levels….but there may also be a larger pattern out there…thoughts?
Dear Whale Woman,
You have raised an extremely valid question and I think that this is something that everyone experiences – each in our own way.
Here are a few things that first come to mind.
This first section addresses WHY this happens.
1) SYSTALTIC MOVEMENT:
Firstly, the yogis say that one’s movement on the path is always systaltic in nature. Life is not an even step-wise progression. Rather progress comes in spurts and then there is a leveling off or even slight digression, and then again forward movement comes. So we have to remember that our path is not one of linear progression, but one of systaltic progression: Pause and speed. And it is easy to get caught up in the idea that I am not getting anywhere – when in fact we are.
Our progress does go up and down. Ideally though, the most recent up is higher than the previous one and the most recent down is higher than the most recent down.
The main thing is that we should expect our progress to be systaltic in nature – and we should be patient during those periods of pause when it seems like not much progress is occurring.
2) EASIER FOR MIND TO GO DOWN:
The next reason is that the nature of the mind and the body is to go down, or degrade. That is its natural tendency. It flows easily in that direction. Realization takes intense effort whereas to spiral downward takes hardly any effort at all.
If we do nothing the mind becomes static and lazy and the body becomes stiff and tight. That happens with no effort at all.
Here the central idea is that making progress is not easy and the mind and body have a tendency towards degradation. That can sneak up on us anytime. That is why the yogi says that we should be vigilant day and night to keep life moving in a positive direction.
The good thing is that when we do put forth effort and then we get a taste of the better life – our practice surges ahead – and that effort will be a springboard for the next good effort. It creates a momentum of positive force. And when that momentum gets going, those things that were obstacles for us in the past are now of no consequence, and we move ahead at greater speed.
3) ENVIRONMENT:
Lastly, we are now living in a very difficult environment. Movies (not all), fast food, advertisements and so many other things from the pervasive pop culture pull and entice us in a negative direction. Plus there are so many other mundane pressures (work, finances, etc).
At present, we do not live in a very supportive society where the ideals are to ensure everyone is living a productive and peaceful life. There is not a lot of support in that direction.
Here I am not pointing out individuals per se, but viewing the greater trends and forces of society. There are so many temptations and allurements, and not a lot of positive movements. Good things need to be carefully sought out, whereas harmful elements (i.e. vices) are nearly in all directions.
So this also accounts for why our progress can be temporarily stalled.
CONCLUSION:
Yogis view life in an extremely optimistic manner. No matter what the difficulty there is always an avenue for moving ahead and making progress. The better we understand ourselves and the obstacles we face, the greater opportunity and certainty we have for success.
This next series are short suggestions for HOW to keep on the up-side of life and stay active in your practice.
1. Spend time with other people who like to do yoga and meditation.
2. Read an inspiring book to keep yourself going in the right direction.
3. Plan time wisely; set up specific times to do your practices.
4. Be sure to put cell phones etc aside when practicing.
5. When you finish your practice, remember how good you feel, and make a date with yourself for the next time you will practice.
6. Keep a journal and when things are beginning to spiral down then read your entries from those days when your practice was sailing ahead smoothly and rapidly progressing.
The fact that you asked such a question demonstrates both a high level of awareness about the problem as well as a strong desire to find a solution. That combination will surely lead you to the place you are seeking.
Thanks for raising such a meaningful and practical discussion.
Namaskar,
Satyam
I love this blog! A virtual Renaissance Center. Looking forward to the Podcast (and hoping I will know how to access it) and hearing from your teachers in India.
The excerpt from your essay is a wonderful story I’ve heard before and it just begs more questions. Was something missing in your Eastern life or was it mere curiosity that took two siblings across the globe? Or both? Until I discovered the practice of yoga I was becoming increasingly ambivalent and disdainful of American religion, excess and material goals. Had I been more adventurous I too might have been driven to a far off land for guidance. Your students will benefit from your experiences.
Also, thank you for the encouragement you gave to Whale Woman about how to keep our yoga practice engaged and meaningful. Glad to know I’m not alone.
Thank you for your insights. Your deep thoughts and ideas are good reminders to take to heart. I find it interesting that every day life mirrors the rise of human consciousness. Neolithic stone tool making developed in the systolic method too, you’d see progressions of intense new designs, plateaus, and then more inventions or better stone tools. As their culture and consciousness developed so did their tools…all the way through history. It’s fascinating to me, the micro and macro evolutions and revolutions of self.
Pema Chodron suggested that discipline (relating to meditation etc..) is not about correcting bad or wrong aspects of ourselves. It is about keeping ourselves from turning away from reality and being truly present. I like that idea.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Namaskar Whale Woman,
You draw a nice parallel between the development of human consciousness and that of human invention. Isn’t that just the nature of the universe: Systaltic progress, pause and speed, eeb and flow…
Thanks for all your sharing – it is a pleasure to hear your thoughts and ideas. I hope you continue to visit (here) and bring most valued topics to the fore.
Warmly,
Satyam
Hi Jean,
So glad you made it over to the blog! When the Podcast comes along it will be with E-Z to follow directions – not to worry. First though I need to get a handle on it!
We took that journey because it seemed to be the most natural thing in the world to do. My heart and mind were on it before I experienced it physically. Everything I wanted and valued in life seemed to be associated with such a trip: Adventure, meditation, yoga, yogic sages, food, new ideas!
My brother had already been to that part of the world and we would talk about it nightly (prior to the trip). So going seemed more like an inevitability than anything else.
In the future I will write more about it on a blog post.
Glad you found some of the other posts & comments relevant.
Hope to see you again soon at our virtual Renaissance Yoga Studio. You have always been asking me about when I would open my own studio – well here it is!!
Namaskar,
Satyam
Hello Satyam, Whale Woman and Jean,
I’m glad the blog has come along. Perhaps this is the reincarnation of the early morning mediation and discussion class you suggested a while back? In any case, it’s a welcome treat.
This thread has encouraged me to think about my own “systaltic” practice, and in the same sense, that systaltic inner journey through life. I’m inspired to read that I have been following a natural rhythm that makes some sense in the greater universe.
I have finally come to a point where, most of the time anyway, I can accept the waxing and waning of my dedication to . . . well to everything, to eating well, to learning, to being kind and accepting, to exercising, and to deepening my connection with the universe. That last one, the one that is satisfied with art, and surrender, and yoga, is the one that perhaps waxes and wanes the most intensely for me.
And I think it is not unlike the writer’s muse. Living with it is difficult, it demands our attention. The closer we are to the muse (or to our spiritual selves) the harder it is to embrace those delicious little distractions of our lives. The more we must sacrifice.
Ignoring the muse is so liberating, so much less work, but empty.
I wonder how the sages handle this dilema. I am learning, some of the time anyway, to relish both in their own way. And still hoping they will someday find peace together.
Thanks K.C. for joining in!
Very nice to hear your perceptions, understanding, and insights.
It is particularly appropriate that you raise the writing metaphor.
I appreciate your thought that this blog is some type of reincarnation of the proposed Yoga, Culture, & Consciousness class. 🙂
As we know, life proceeds in unplanned ways.
Look forward to reading more from you on this blog – I know you have lots to share…
Hi Satyam, I have an acupuncture question. Do you know anyone good in the area?? I have been having shoulder pain since Nov. b/c I’m in the medical profession I am slow on seeking help:) I am interested in acupuncture for pain management but didn’t know if an initial diagnosis was helpful for the acupuncturist?? Any ideas? thanks. Liesl
Hi Leisl,
Admittedly this is out of my field – that said let me give it a go anyway 🙂
Yoga appreciates all the pathys (allopathy, homeopathy, naturopathy), and the related eastern and western medical approaches like ayurveda and acupuncture etc.
The trick is: Which pathy to use when. Still this is up for debate.
Regarding your personal situation, I would follow proverb: The more knowledge the better.
If you have health care access, then go ahead and get a diagnosis from a traditional western (allopathic) doctor. Find out what is wrong medically.
Thereafter, feel free to try a treatment plan you feel comfortable with, like acupuncture.
I do not know the methodology of acupuncturists and do not know if they insist on an outside diagnosis ahead of time. My guess is they do not request that.
On the other hand, getting information is always good. Personally, I would get it checked out with an allopathic doctor whether you plan to pursue that treatment plan or not.
Next…
OK – so you need an acupuncturist. Unfortunately, I do not know of one locally, but no doubt they are around.
If anyone has any suggestions about practitioners, that’d be welcomed.
Hope this is of some help Liesl!
Satyam
Liesl,
When you’re ready, Sherry Lancaster, RN, L.Ac., HTP is a licensed acupuncturist in Calvert County and practices out of the Dunkirk satellite of Calvert Memorial Hospital. She is also an R.N and practices Holistic Nutritional Counseling. The number is 410-535-8233 or 301-855-1012 x2816. I’ve had success in treating my allergies and arthritis with acupuncture. Sherry spends an extensive amount of time getting to know your history and habits so she can pinpoint the right areas for treatment. I haven’t been in a while but it costs about $65 a session.
Best of Luck, Jean
Thanks Jean for the great info!
I have directed Liesl to your reply so she will be sure to see it.
Work is going to take me out of town for a couple of weeks. Are there any
opportunities for make-up classes? I hate to miss!
Jeri,
We’ll miss you the next couple weeks…
…As for make-ups, you are welcome to come to ANY class I teach, ANY day.
If you let me know ahead of time, that is helpful, but by no means necessary. So come on in!
Happy New Year Satyam!! I hope you had a wonderful time over the holidays. I LOVED having my family here! I have noticed that you say/write “Namaskar” where I have typically heard “Namaste”. I am wondering what both words mean and what the difference between the two is. Thanks, Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Great to hear you had such a wonderful holiday with your family in town.
Thanks for your query…
Some months ago on the Yoga Journal blogsite I wrote this below piece on the difference between namaskar and namaste. That blog has been viewed several hundred times and there is a fairly indepth comment discussion on it as well.
Here is that blogpost – let me know if you have any questions…
http://community.yogajournal.com/_Namaskar-vs-Namaste/blog/516777/25925.html
Satyam
Satyam,
Do you have any of the Manduka cloth yoga mat covers?
And if you have any of the v neck bamboo cotton short sleeve shirts in Medium, I will take it/them.
Thanks!
I certainly have the Manduka mat towels – very nice coconut fiber style, but I need to check my stock on the V-neck. I have it on my agenda for tomorrow morning when I see you in class!!