Westshore Yoga

07/12/2025

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In honor of Geetaji on this anniversary of her birthday.

Her question “ Why do you stop?”

Her comments:

“ stopping the mind is an impurity… you have to catch the purity step by step. Burn your impurities…. When the body stops, the mind stops, the intelligence stops, the consciousness stops. You need body awareness, mind awareness, consciousness awareness. When will you find the soul? The goal is the soul.

There is an emotional feeling to it. The feeling and sensitivity. Sensibility is important during the practice of yoga. The body is seen by us, the mind is seen by feeling. The soul cannot be seen.

You think yoga is for the soul. Why don’t you try to touch your soul. Then my job will be done.”

Notes of mine from Geetaji’s last classes in Pune at the 100th anniversary celebration of Guruji.

With deep and eternal gratitude Geetaji ❤️🙏❤️

Sequences and notes from Geeta’s last classes can be found here https://clearyogapractice.com/blog/page/2/

12/11/2025

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Many people consider asana as an exercise. In Sanskrit, the word for exercise is vyayama, which means extension and expansion — movements that scatter energy through effort.

Asana, however, gathers and filters energy to distribute it evenly throughout the body. Though beginners may find asana similar to ordinary exercises, this is only at the physical level. The body, being in a state of inertia, first needs movement before sensitivity and awareness can arise.

In the early stages, asana disciplines and channels movement to develop sensitivity. This initial ploughing of the body is also called vyayama. As practice deepens, the sadhaka learns to bring awareness into every action, refining body, mind, and energy.

By the practice of asana, the power of vital energy (prana shakti) is stabilized and established before one proceeds towards pranayama. As stated in the Yoga Chudamani Upanishad, pradipika asanani rajo hanti — the practice of asana destroys rajo guna and helps sattva guna to expand.

True asana uplifts the practitioner from the physical level to experience higher levels of growth within.

🕉️ Key Reflection: Asana is not about scattering energy through movement — it is about gathering, refining, and stabilizing energy through awareness.

Inspired by B.K.S. Iyengar’s “Clearing Misconceptions: Asana Is Not a Form of Exercise”

💭 When did your asana practice begin to feel less like exercise and more like inner work?

25/09/2025

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Twists in yoga are not just about “turning the spine.” They carry deep physiological, therapeutic, and structural benefits that impact the whole torso.

🔹 Promote Spinal Health & Circulation
By bringing circulation to the spine and nourishing the organs, twists make the ribs more pliable—preparing the body for both forward and backward bends.

🔹 Increase Rotation & Create Space
The essence of a twist is rotation of the spine. The key is to grow tall on inhalation and then turn on exhalation. This upward extension creates space, allowing the vertebrae to rotate more freely and safely. Remember: turn from the tailbone up the spine—not just the hips.

🔹 Engage the Abdominal Organs
Twists create a squeezing and soaking action for the abdominal viscera. Sharper exhalations—like turning the navel and waist—enhance this internal massage effect, stimulating digestion and organ health.

🔹 Relieve Neck & Shoulder Issues
Postures like Ardha Matsyendrasana help release neck and shoulder tension while aligning the elbow joint. Pro tip: look opposite to the turn to deepen the twist and avoid compressing the neck.

🌿 In essence: Twists rejuvenate the spine, invigorate circulation, massage the organs, and restore balance to the torso—keeping the body supple, strong, and aligned.

In your next practice, turn not just the body—turn awareness inward.



🌍 https://www.bksiyengaryogashala.com/

04/09/2025

https://www.facebook.com/100063676315000/posts/1368026838663180/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

“In each asana, if the contact between the body and the floor-the foundation-is good, the asana will be performed well. Always watch your base: Be attentive to the portion nearest the ground. Correct first from the root. The standing poses are meant to begin providing this foundation for life. They strengthen the ankles and the knees. When a person is mentally disturbed or dejected, you'll notice he can't stand firmly on his feet. These postures teach one how to stand straight so that the brain can float in its position. Feet are like the root of a tree.
If one can't stand properly on one's feet, one develops a negative attitude toward life, and one's yoga too becomes unsteady. These postures help one to maintain stability in times of difficulty and even when catastrophes occur. When stability becomes a habit, maturity and clarity follow. Stability requires balance.”

BKS Iyengar
Light on Life

17/05/2024

Now is the perfect time for practice! On a holiday in Seoul!

03/01/2024

Classes start week of January 8th. 2024.
In studio and online still available.
Monday Wednesday Friday 9:30am
Tuesday 3:30pm
Thursday 6pm
Make time for You!

03/01/2024

Welcome 2024!
Another season of practice begins!
Standing firm and
opening our heart to the present!

06/06/2023

https://westshoreyoga.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Day-three-Forward-bend-Focus-chart-1.pdf

06/06/2023

We experience a beginners mind when we are not in our mind at all.
But rather experiencing a naked moment without filters.
We are in a beginners mind when we experience the moment simply,
before we label it,
critique it,
Judge it,
categorizing or exclude it.
We are experiencing a beginner’s mind when we respond vulnerably and openly to what the present moment offers.