Yoga Stories Archives

The Fourth Trimester: Postpartum Reflections

September 15, 2023September 15, 2023 by Devinder KaurNo Comments

By Brittany Webster, owner of Consciously Curated Home As an expectant mother, I found that the focus of maternity seemed to be on preparing for childbirth and creating a beautiful nursery room for my baby. I could find books, guides, blogs and advice on morning sickness, birthing techniques, baby equipment and decorating - but those post-birth weeks when a mother is at her most vulnerable, when days are filled with feeding, changing, naps (and if you’re lucky you sneak in a shower) are shrouded in mystery. We don’t talk about the Fourth Trimester. Only a few select girlfriends imparted some honest words of wisdom having recently struggled through this time themselves. In the Western world, by and large, we’re encouraged to get back to routine, work, our ‘pre-baby’ body. These impossible standards, glorified in the media, on social, even by friends and family, are ridiculous. “You can’t even tell she had a baby!” “So when are you heading back to work?” In reality, we should be...

Vedantic Philosophy: The Snake and the Rope

January 16, 2015July 28, 2015 by Devinder Kaur2 Comments

Try and guess the source of this philosophical quip: “Your eyes can deceive you, don't trust them”. This is actually from Star Wars Jedi knight Obi Wan Kenobi, but it might as well have come from the Vedanta philosophy (the philosophy stemming from the Vedas, the Hindu scriptures). Let’s take a look! Is what we see real? How far can we trust our senses? How can Yoga help? We'll start with the simple expression, “my eyes were bigger than my stomach”. This is an expression many of us have heard and used, though what does it actually mean? Sight only happens with our eyes, yet we use to sight to judge the visceral taste experience – we think, “boy, that chocolate cake looks good” and “wow, that pizza looks delicious!” How do we know they really are good, and how do we know we’ll enjoy the experience of eating it as much as assume? Here is the illusion. Seeing the whole picture...

Going Beyond the Doorway: Yoga’s Abundant Offerings – Tanya Riley

September 25, 2014July 28, 2015 by Devinder KaurNo Comments

“There is just enough suffering to get you in the door,” writes Michael Stone in The Inner Tradition of Yoga, “so that is our starting point.” I love this viewpoint - it highlights the simple fact that some discomfort, be it mild or intense, is often what first propels to yoga. For some, it may be physical suffering, such as a sore back, tight shoulders or hips, and for others it could be discomfort on a mental level, such as anxiety, worry, or restlessness. You might have been drawn to yoga because of a major life shift, including changing relationships or illness. Whatever the reason may be, most of us come into the arms of yoga seeking some relief, and for the most part, yoga meets us exactly where we are at and then graciously offers us more. I first came to yoga because I was finding my new job as a Montessori preschool teacher quite stressful. Days of trying to...

Running from Rishikesh: A Western Kundalini Yogi in India’s Yoga Capital – by Victoria Lynes

August 15, 2014July 28, 2015 by Devinder Kaur16 Comments

This time last year, my sons (then 9 and 12) and I were making our final preparations for a 5 month journey around the world, one month of that time to be spent in India. I wrote a weekly blog while we were away, but since returning, even though my mind will often take me back to India’s sights and smells, I have not written about her at all. I am not sure why. Those 29 days are still seeping into my consciousness, and with all things India, I often find it difficult to describe my experience. Certain images will show up unexpectedly, scenes as contrasting as the country itself. Pictures of a quiet camel ride into the Thar Desert will be overtaken with memories of being practically swarmed upon as we boarded a local train in an incredibly hot and dry Rajasthan. Then come images of grand palaces and glittering ornamentation, followed by scenes of mutilated children begging in...

Cultivating Patience with Yoga – by Elissar Hanna

August 7, 2014July 28, 2015 by Devinder KaurNo Comments

“Adopt the pace of nature...her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Have you ever encountered a situation in your life where you wanted things to move just a little bit faster? Where you’re thinking, “could someone please extract me from this moment and take me to the future? It’s really painful right here... please?” I’ve definitely experienced that pain at times in my life. But interestingly enough, my yoga practice is one place where I don’t feel that pressure. Somehow, as a kindness from the Universe, the practice thus far, has been a chance for me to just be in the moment and take care of the places in my body/soul where healing is needed. My yoga practice is a place where I have no vested interest except to be sincere, to be present with the Divine and to listen attentively to my body and breath. I believe it is this lack of attachment to outcome that opens the door...