Yoga Unveiled by Gita Desai

Harnessing the colorful commentary of the most prominent yoga scholars, teachers, and medical experts, Yoga Unveiled reveals how yoga began, tells the story of yoga's passage to the West, describes its numerous branches, recounts the fascinating biographies of the foremost yoga masters, and explores yoga's astonishing medical potential.
Stunning cinematography, ornate visual displays, and stirring music create a truly enchanting viewing experience. The great devotees of yoga grace the screen with their profound wisdom and delightful manner.
Yoga Unveiled also features commentary by Krishna Das, Dr. Herbert Benson, Edwin Bryant, Subhash Kak, Vasant Lad, Dr. Timothy McCall, Larry Payne, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Father Joe Pereira, Swami Sivananda, Dr. Martina Ziska, and Dharma Mittra.

Extract from The Radiance Sutras

vyoma akaram svam atmanam

dhyayet digbhih anavritam

nirashraya chitih shaktih

sva rupam darsayet tada

Meditate on the Self as being

Vast as the sky,

A body of energy

Extending forever in all directions -

Above, below, all around

In the embrance of infinite space,

Awaken to your true form,

Divine creative energy

Revealing Herself as you.

Lorin Roche - The Radiance Sutras [69] http://www.lorinroche.com/

Radiance Yoga

Had a wonderful evening last night at Triyoga in Soho. A wonderful 'jam session' provided by Claire Missingham, who took us through a slow, sensual flow accompanied by Lorin Roche fresh from California. Lorin read from his book 'The Radiance Sutras' - it was a divine evening, that helped to clear the stress of the week (meditation course / homework being somewhat challenging plus making a start on my tax return).

Working on the idea that meditation does not mean sitting bolt upright and unmoving, instead it was truly understanding spanda - the spontaneous expression of movement and inner vibration = sheer bliss.

Naturally, what made it even more special was that fact that Lorin has the most wonderful voice which meant as he read the sutras, I just melted into the flow.

Eat, Pray, Love

One of my most favourite books has been turned into a movie. Eat, Pray and Love is due for release in the USA this summer. Julia Roberts has the starring role. Keeping my fingers crossed that it reflects the magnificence of the book itself.

For those uninitiated into the story, it's like this...

Liz Gilbert (Roberts) had everything a modern woman is supposed to dream of having - a husband, a house, a successful career - yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali. Based upon the bestselling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Mindfulness

When we mindfully watch both body and mind, we can see how many wonderful things they do together. (Bhante Henepola Gunaratana)

The 'art' of meditation

I came across this video some time ago and have always found it embodies the art of meditation on so many levels. Once you look beyond the initial distaste regarding the fly, it unfolds into something very beautiful.

Surya Namaskar with Bija Mantras

This is a fab video showing the classical Surya Namaskar using Bija (seed) mantras for each move. Considering getting my students to do this next term as it can be so powerful with each movement.