New Years Eve Sankalpa

Last year in a yoga class one of my teachers suggested to set an intention for New Years rather than setting a specific resolution. I absolutely forget what my intention was or if I even made one. Regardless, I thought it was an interesting idea. In yoga this setting of a goal or intention is known as sankalpa. We can make a small sankalpa for every practice, or in this case an intention for the whole year.   

With our New Years resolutions, it seems often we are playing to our egos. "I would like to be more fit this year." "I would like to get that promotion." Most resolutions start with "I" than rattle on with a very specific goal. Why limit to yourself to something so specific? Why limit yourself to setting life changing goals once a year? What is so magical about the bridging of one year to the next? Generally, I think resolutions are a great thing, but I still am left with lots of questions.

I haven't thought about a resolution or a sankalpa this year, so I'm not going to make up one for the sake of a post. I do hope to find an intention or motivation make my impact on the Earth a more positive one. That goes for 2013 and for 2014. Now just to figure out what general word would apply to such an abstract idea? Perhaps the word "yoga" itself would be a good intention given it means the union of the mind and the body, or at least it can be interpreted that way in some yogic schools of thoughts. In other words, I want my actions to match my ideals. Perhaps, "genuineness" would be a good word for it then? 

Anyways, happy new years! Before things get too heavy, I'm going to go drink some champagne. Here is to an awesome 2014 for all of humanity!  

Monthly Yoga Sanskrit: Avidyā

The word Avidyā mean "ignorance" or "delusion" in Sanskrit. In terms of Buddhism it means you either do not understand the four noble truth, or like me, you just misunderstand reality in itself. As soon as I saw this word it attracted me, because I just feel connected with it when it comes to the "spiritual" elements of yoga. 

For example, in a yoga class the other day our teacher had us waving our hands and chanting as we lunged, and it really took every element of self-control not to burst out laughing. What is wrong with me? Why can't I take these types of things seriously? 

For the past, well forever, I've denied myself the exploration of the spiritual world (whatever that means). I'm about to commence into Yoga Teacher Training in January, so I think my lack of exploration into the spiritual realm is going to work against me. The cynic in me doubts my capacity to take in these lessons at all without scoffing at the false comfort that religion provides.  

I'm curious though. I think the Dalai Lama is generally a cool guy.  Buddhism even sounds pretty rad. Hopefully an open mind will help me to stray further away from Avidyā- if that is the appropriate path. I can't help but question if there is a secular way to approach yoga, and if you skip over the spirituality do you miss the point? 

Do we go into yoga to stretch or do we go into yoga for something more than that? I'm sure it varies from person to person. Even as the most cynical of participants I have to say that I've taken away more than just more open hips and shoulders. Generally I feel more at ease in the world and myself... well , at least some of the time.  

Anyways, it will be fun to become familiar with a non-Western religion, and I look forward to learning about some Buddhism and other tidbits in Yoga Teacher Training. Hopefully it will at least make me more capable in writing about Sanskrit words for y'all. 

Yoga Cat Memes, Images and Comics for Your Enjoyment

I love cats and yoga. When the two combine it is the ultimate experience for me. Every time I see yoga cat memes, images and comics, I get just a little excited. Here are some fun yoga/cat pictures and memes I've found scattered through out the internet. Enjoy! I hope they bring you some warm smiles at this cold and dreary time of year. The top yoga cat meme is actually one of my kitties, Koko.