Cynusura Yoga

What Motivates Your Practice?

2012-03-17T09:44:00.002-07:00

Yoga quiets the mind, real yoga isn't physical (has the person saying that ever seen a
Vinyasa or hovered in Chaturanga?? So what motivates your practice? Quieting the mind, maybe, but how hard is that when your back or knees are screaming or it hurts when you try to do head rolls. When I began practicing yoga it was about getting over two dramatic events in my life. One had to do with career/job and the other a personal relationship. Both unfortunately happening at the same time!! Emotionally & physically I was drained and well, felt beat up!! There had to be a better way that I could cope with all of this and the rest of my life. Something that I could learn and make a part of my life. So I started to seek out my alternatives and meditation was my first option....so I began my practice......started to feel better.......then I found yoga which at first was just physical after all I had meditation. But then I had a break though on the mat and did a posture I was totally afraid of doing. I gain a sense of courage, strength...now I knew I could tap into that courage & strength...as I continued to practice I began to notice little things about myself, the noise in my head started to quiet down, I was reacting differently, physically I felt stronger and more balance and my thinking was clearer and started to live in a much more positive way.....it all connected and spread into my life off the mat.......to me that's real yoga!! No, it didn't happen overnight, it's gradual, it take time, commitment and practice. It takes showing up, mostly to yourself.

Whatever the reason we come to yoga, we should know that we've got nothing to apologize for or hide from. Balance postures give us permission to play & challenge us. They teach us it's ok to fall...they show us how to land on our feet. Forward folds teach us how good it feels to release our tight grip on our legs, and well maybe our life! Inversions show us the world from another perspective while back-bends teach us to be vulnerable and to trust. Maybe other postures won't give us enlightenment, but we sure learn about practice and patience while trying.

So yoga is what it is......it's "your" yoga.....whatever "you" want it to be....a cure
for pain....a quiet mind....great arms or abs. The important thing is that we practice everyday. We show up for ourselves.....

In gratitude I bow to you all for honoring me to be your teacher in past, present or future..........

Love, light & peace always
Cyn

Approaching the New Year 2011

2010-12-29T20:32:00.000-08:00

As we all approach the New Year we make "new year resolutions" in different areas of our lives. But somewhere down the calendar year we fall short of completing these promises. We loose our focus, our drive and the stamina it takes to really change. Our breath....how we take our breath...I should say has a lot to do with it. We need to take a deep breath from the lungs so that our brain (our mind), our body (internal organs) and heart (our spirit) can get enough oxygen to supply all these things to run smoothly and connected. This is called the "yoga breath" or "deep abdominal breath". The more focus on the breath the quieter the mind gets allowing us to breath deeper into the lungs allowing the body to function at it's optimal. Calming the mind allows us to stay focused and to think & feel with a clear mind and heart. Thus,leaving us with less stress in our lives leaving room to stay focused, to think & feel clearly. Giving our bodies more stamina because we are not bogged down with the "junk". Bringing the mind, body & spirit together to complete those "new year resolutions". Wishing you all a peaceful, happy, healthy New Year full of big deep breathes..................

Life Lesson's

2010-05-03T05:47:00.000-07:00

Some people approach their yoga practice as a break from the world, a separate space where they can recover from life's stresses and strains. Once they've pulled themselves back together, they return to their families and jobs renewed.

But what we really want to learn is how to incorporate our yoga practice into the rest of our lives and to respond to life's challenges without adding tension and stress. It is at this level that yoga really becomes a deeper practice. You can be under tremendous stress and come back into experiencing feeling grounded as though it were just another moment of Tadasana (Mountain Pose); or you can receive a big disappointment and be able to drop into your breath, realizing it's just another moment of practice; you can be in the daily tension of your everyday life, and allow the breath to move the feelings through your body allowing you to relax.

Close your eyes, relax, get centered, get balanced and breathe.............Namaste Cyn

Apply Vinyasa to Daily Life

2010-03-31T11:59:00.000-07:00

Vinyasa yoga teaches us to cultivate an awareness that links each action to the next—on the mat and in our lives. Applying vinyasa in your yoga practice and daily life has many parallels to our breath in class. Moving through life demands a synchronization with natural forces that requires skill and intuition, the ability to set a course yet change with the wind. You have to know how to assess ourselves; in our physical, emotional, and spiritual states.

The teachings of yoga include a view called parinamavada, the idea that constant change is an inherent part of life. To proceed mindfully with any action, we must first assess where we are starting from today; we cannot assume we are quite the same person we were yesterday. We are all prone to ignoring the changing conditions of our body-mind; we often distort the reality of who we are based on who we think that we should be. This can show up on the yoga mat in any number of inappropriate choices: engaging in a heating, rigorous practice when we're agitated or fatigued; doing a restorative practice when we're stagnant; going to an advanced yoga class when a beginning class better suits our experience and skills. In order to avoid such unbeneficial actions, we need to start out with an accurate assessment of our current state.

Be who you should be each and every day (it will be different).............

Insecure Moments

2010-03-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

We all have moments of insecurity—moments where we really dread something is about to happen. When maybe fear, anxiety and maybe even anger are about to set in! So how do we change those feelings into insight, freedom or a sense of calm.

During these insecure moments, we need to examine our feelings, acknowledge them, which with practice will bring us back to a sense of calm. It won't change the situation but it will change the way we react to it.

But that's easier said than done. One technique is paying attention to the feelings that accompany them. Then turn your focus on your breath, each time you relax and listen to your feelings, you open yourself to acknowledging that they are present.

When you simply witness our feelings first rather than just reacting to them, we allow our life to unfold with connection and we open ourselves to greater sympathy and understanding. Most important, we start to develop our capacity to be mindful in an often challenging life.

One breath at a time.........Cyn

The Importance of Breath!

2010-03-11T04:09:00.000-08:00

Yoga has been called a "breath practice" by many experienced yogis. That's partially because many styles of yoga link breathing and moving. But it's also because the breath can reveal the truth about our condition, even when the external form of the body does not. The breath never lies!

When we practice yoga, our hope is to approach our edge in each pose, while keeping focused and centered, with the breath full and steady throughout. You can use the breath to sink deeper into the pose making it as intense as you release to. If you're ever unsure whether you're doing too much or not enough, listen to your breath. If you can't keep breathing evenly in a posture, it's a signal that you should back off to a simpler version of the asana—or take a rest.

This is also true of our daily lives. When you find yourself feeling tense, stressed, or overworked, try checking in with your breath. If it's even, calm, and rhythmic, then you're probably going to be OK. If it's choppy, short, and strained, then take a break, find a moment of relaxation, and wait for it to return to normal.

Just Breathe.........Cyn

Keeping Your Practice Real

2010-03-08T12:18:00.000-08:00

Do you ever look at an another yoga student in an awe-inspiring pose and think to yourself, "I would never be able to do that!" or "I wish I could do that"?

Your not the only one thinking that. Most yoga students can relate to being envious, overwhelmed or discouraged when they see another student doing what seems to be an unobtainable pose. Instead of concentrating on your own shortcomings, come back to your breath and try to focus on the potential in your yoga practice. If not physical, then certainly spiritual. Think of how far you have come on and off the mat.

There will always be exceptions, most intermediate and advanced yogis didn't come out of the womb with the abilities to do those awesome postures. They used yoga as a tool to gradually improve their flexibility, strength, and concentration. Just like you're doing! Remember, yoga isn't about being able to shape your body into a pretzel. It's about what you learn about yourself while you practice on and off the mat. This is what truly matters.

Just Breathe.....Cyn

Diets, diets and more diets..........

2010-01-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

Sita Ram....It's the new year!! Many of us take this opportunity to cleanse, change something, begin something or quit something whether it be physical or emotional or both. Our physical body seems to be at a high priority for most people at this time of year. So diet and exercise become part of that change. But most of us don't do this in a mindful rather but a systematic one. With everything going on in our lives, we rarely make time to eat mindfully. We eat on the go, at the sink, in cars or at our desks for the minutes we can spare. But when we eat without noticing and enjoying our food, we miss one of life's greatest pleasures leaving us unsatisfied and graving something more later. We have allowed that which should nourish us to become that which causes us stress.

The next time you eat, take a moment to take a breath, relax and really taste your food. Stop what you're doing, sit down, chew slowly savoring and noticing the flavors, textures, and smells of the meal in front of you. Express gratitude for the health and nourishment it provides. You will become fuller and more satisfied as you eat, signaling the brain that your stomach is full which will make you eat less.

Over time, this ritual can improve your digestion, your weight and overall physical and mental health. Your diet will become more natural and nourishing. You will gain more energy and think more clearly. Bon Apetito!! Cyn

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-17T14:19:00.000-08:00

Sharing Your Blessings
Your yoga practice has been a journey in stripping away the layers that surround your heart, revealing your truth and removing obstacles that hold you back. This year, as you spend time with your family, simply offer love and gratitude to them in every way possible. As you learn to embrace and accept your family members for who they are and what they have been through, you will find yourself actually appreciating them more. Let this season be a time to put aside whatever past experiences may keep you from extending love and gratitude, and offer your loved ones the great gifts that you have received from your yoga practice. Simply be present, embrace and accept each moment and each person with
Light and love.

Being Present
In this world filled with fantastic technology, multitasking has become a requirement. Sometimes it can appear to others that you are not really focusing on them. The greatest gift this holiday season is to be present. Listen to others and hear what they're saying. Listen to the music; attach meaning to the words and notice the sensations. This is the time of year you have full permission to indulge, so when you eat, be present! Really taste your holiday food, savor every bite and appreciate the preparation. The holidays are festive and decorative so allow your eyes to see the beauty of the decorations and the gifts and experience the excitement. Enjoy practicing being present off your mat this holiday season!

Sadhana
Start a daily sadhana (pronounced sawed-dha-na). A sadhana is a practice or a routine that grounds you into yourself. It's time for you. Your sadhana can be anything from 10 minutes of meditation to a session of Yoga Today, to cooking yourself breakfast daily. The key to bringing more strength to your body is to discipline yourself to practice everyday with awareness. Taking time for care-giving each day establishes you in your resplendent light inside... and you become a greater transmitting station of the light that is celebrated during the holidays!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year with Light,
Love & Peace Always Cyn

Bringing your Yoga Practice off the mat

2009-11-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

How many times have we not done something simple because we didn't know how or what to do? In life sometimes we don't know really what our part is. At times we have an intuition or perhaps a voice that keeps yearning for us to take part or to take action. We don't have to know how to do something before we begin; life lessons are designed to show us the value of doing our part even when we don't know what to do. Our part may be tiny or grand it doesn't matter. What matters is that we follow that intuition or voice. Yoga teaches us to take action, to do service for the sake of service, to embody the world we live in. I want to live in a world where all beings are cared for, where strangers stop for each other, where neighbors are neighborly, whether to save a life, to exchange a simple smile, or offer a helping hand; where I am not afraid and willing to take action. Fortunately, yoga offers us endless lessons in courage and moving from the heart. Through warrior we can gain the courage to do our part even for just one minute, is all it takes to make the world feel like home. Lunge into warrior I inhale with a sense of service while bending slightly back to open your heart; exhale into warrior II releasing the sense of fear. Stand strong from the souls of your feet to the crown of your head and breathe. Bring your practice off the mat into life and live!

Getting Back to Class

2009-09-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Yogini's

I have spent the summer break learning and teaching. I have had the time to sink a little deeper into my own practice. Learning new postures, deepening my own abilities on and off the mat. Daily meditation on the beach looking at the sea. Cultivating my own spiritual development. There is nothing more calmer than that! It has been an experience to be in class as a student rather than a teacher. Being a student has not only given me time to appreciate my practice but has given strength to be a better teacher.

As our schedules become clouded once again with the routine of daily life I look forward to all of you who are returning and welcoming the new. There are many classes
to choose from this session and hope to add new ones in the coming year.

It is with gratitude, compassion and peace that we begin our new session; bringing contentment into our lives.

Namaste

Getting your day started

2009-06-01T17:21:00.000-07:00

Namaste Yogi's

As summer approaches we get busy doing lots of fun and exciting things! We become more social due to the weather, picnics, graduations, weddings and sometimes our physical practice takes a back seat to all this busyness!

If you find yourself wrapped up in this fast pace cycle here are a few things that you can do to come back to get centered, get balance and to get quiet.

As you awake, before you get out of bed, think of something nice to do for yourself.
Perhaps take your time this morning and enjoy your cup of tea or coffee. Don't lie there in snooze to long or you'll start to think of to many other things. Be sure to give yourself a deep body stretch before you rise to your feet. Reach with attention
to the sky with your arms taking in a big breath and reach down and touch your toes as you exhale!!

Drink 2 glasses of water (hot or room temperature) with fresh lemon. This will cleanse and hydrate the body giving you more energy to start your day.

Take a walk or do a round of sun salutations this also raises the energy and reduces tension.

Do something nice for a stranger; generosity and gratitude are both big contributors to happiness. When we feel happy, we feel healthy, energetic. A overall wellness about ourselves and this is contagious!!!

At the end of the day; try to appreciate the absurdity of what doesn't go exactly according to plan. Acknowledge how little control we actually have over what happens and that we are all part of a much bigger plan. Letting go is the most freeing gift to yourself.

May you and your families have a safe and wonderful summer. Feel free to email or call me we can give each other inspiration. I will look forward to the fall when we shall all be once again in each other presence. Till then Light, Peace & Love

Our Life and Spirit

2009-04-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

Appreciate your life. When we look at our life without gratitude we can't appreciate how it's all trying to come together to get us to the next place. We get angry, sad and even sorry for ourselves when something just didn't go as we planned instead of looking at it as an opportunity to see what it is trying to teach us. We need to realize that we are special. Every life, especially our own, has something to offer even through it may not always seem that way. Our real job is to figure that out.

We need to try harder to let our spirit resolve issues with adversaries. If we can only see how that person has helped us grow, we can learn about ourselves and discover why we were meant to know that person. We need to listen to our spirit when it is letting us know we have a sacred contract with another person. You know what I'm talking about, that feeling inside that tells you "I know you" or "I don't want to know you"! We need to let it sink in, feel the energy and then do what is right for ourselves. This helps our spirit grow.

We need to know ourselves better. Lack of self-understanding and direction can lead to emotional stress, depression or illness. Knowing ourselves is not only important to our mind, bodies and spirit. But others around us as well.

It is not what we get out of life that makes us happy. It is what we give in life that brings us the true spirit of happiness! Knowing ourselves, trusting our spirit helps us live our life to the fullest.

Om Shanti Cyn

A Moving Prayer or Intention

2009-04-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

Setting an intention to your practice brings on a whole new meaning. While practicing:
sun-salutations set your intention and/or prayer(example: enjoy simple pleasures, to not react but to act calmly, for a sick family member or friend, etc.)This practice is done at a very slow pace making sure that you are in the present and mindful of each breath. Moving the breath, the body and spirit.

To begin stand in Tadasana (Mountain)bring hands to Anjali Mudra(prayer hands in front of your heart) closing your eyes take a moment to set your intention and/or prayer. Keep your intention and/or prayer in your mind as you move through the sun-salutations.

Lifting hands/arms above your head show Gratitude to the Father swan dive down to Utanasana (forward bend hands to feet)as you Bow to the Mother come to Arda Utanasana (hands on chines)look up to Honor the Child lunge one leg at a time to Kumbhakasana (plank) as you Acknowledge the earth then to Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (upward facing dog)and Open heart to the Heavens coming into Ado Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog)as you Acknowledge the power of self. Coming back into Tadasana. Repeat

Kids Yoga

2009-03-29T14:08:00.000-07:00

Yogi's!! I just spent my weekend learning to teach children yoga. All the posses and breathing are all geared to children. It was very challenging but a lot of fun! I learned over 100 age appropriate kid-friendly posses, games & themes. Along with age appropriate breathing techniques, stress management and relaxation skills for children. In the fall I will be offering "KID"S YOGA" from ages 5 to 13 years. The classes will be structured, safe and fun, they will develop wellness and health. Don't be surprised if some of my adult classes see some fun kid postures!! In the end I am now certified to teach children's yoga!! Namaste

Open & Renew with Spring!

2009-03-16T05:49:00.000-07:00

Spring is just around the corner and everything will be reborn! It is a good time to open yourself up and take a big breath of what the universe is giving us. You can start by trying one new thing a week, a month, whatever is best for you. A good place to start is meditation. If you think that it is overwhelming than start small. We have to take baby steps before we can take the big step. Make a list of things you need to open yourself up to. Whether they are things you want to do, things you want to try or things you want to change. For example if meditation is something you would like to do; try sitting in stillness for one minute a week, before you know it, in a month you will have begun a spiritual practice. Maybe you want to go deeper into a yoga posture or practice in general; go early to class and ask your teacher to guide you. Another step, which is an important one, is surrounding yourself with friends who are sharing the same path. It will help you bring yourself into a grander vision of what life can be. Namaste Cyn

Welcome

2009-03-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

Namaste Yogini's!

Welcome to the new web-site for Cynusura Yoga! My very talented son in-law, Thor, has worked diligently and creatively to make this possible. I feel very honored and much loved that he has given me this gift. It is truly awesome! Words can not describe my appreciation. I thank him from the bottom of my heart.

I hope that this blog will be a helpful tool to deepen your practice whether it is yoga, meditation or both. I will be posting weekly meditations, quotes and postures. My hope is that through these practices both on and off the mat that we will all begin to acquire a happier, healthier life for ourselves and those around us. I welcome your thoughts, questions and ideas so please feel free.

Peace & Light always Cyn
http://www.cynusurayoga.com