In Eastern Medicine, Autumn is regarded as a time to turn energy inward and prepare for winter. Cultivating balance seasonally is key during any transition. This is a time to set the foundation for sustainable self-care & wellbeing. Now that crazy heat is behind is over, we can start making lifestyle adjustments to our everyday routines that will support our health on different levels.
Take care,
Meric
I’m sharing here some thoughts that came this morning and hope you may relate.
During my time in Japan last month I did a lot of walking. The third toe of my right foot started bleeding 2 days after entering Japan. I initially thought that too much walking was the case. I considered my large Norwegian wool socks. It become a riddle for me and continued to pondered
on the experience. I even researched what the foot represents emotionally and mentally. I could go on about representations of the foot biologically, energetically.
Where I choose to stand is the “freedom of choice” I’m given in all I do, feel, or think. We all are. We create our reality from this foundation of where we “choose” to stand and perceive. In the case of my foot in Japan I chose to perceive it as a reflection of where I was standing. It was neither right nor wrong, but it was a symbol I used as a lesson learned while walking my own path.
Masters (Gurus) in India are said to stand on the foundation of Truth. They walk the path and their footsteps become a thread for us to follow. This is why in Indian Culture the foot of the guru is shown respect and revered. In Buddhism the foot (pāda in Sanskrit) is also in Hindu culture referred to as “Buddha’s footprints”.
So, how does pāda refer to us on and off the mat?
Upon which foundation (truth) are we building our yoga practice? What intention do we have as we step onto the mat? No answer is better or more righteous than the other… Just know that you create your reality from that foundation.
What is Truth? You are. I am. What is you or I? Love.
Remember that yoga is not about gaining something we don’t have. Instead it’s about reducing the illusions we thought ourselves to be and that is the remembrance of Love.
Om Shanti.
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to let you know, my new youtube channel is now available. It is so much fun to bring together the clips from my practice. Struggles and joys are all in there.
Soon I hope to offer alignment tips in asanas, conversations on yoga philosophy and more.
Stay tuned!
Namaste.
A daily, sustainable practice is the heart of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Greater levels of strength, stability and concentration are built by repetition of the same sequence day in, day out. Building the physical and mental stamina required for such disciple takes time & great effort.
Initially it gets harder and harder then more & more accessible by repetition & devotion to it’s essence.
I’ve been practicing Ashtanga yoga daily for over a year now. The journey is covered with ups & downs, struggles & joys and continues to evolve in it’s own pace & time. Recently, I held a workshop for my community in Norway on “why & how to build a Self-practice”. So, here I share some insights from the session to inspire yours.
Honoured to reach out to the Turkish community via Yoga Journal Turkey’s Podcast; “Yoga & Me”.
Producer Ozgecan Tapa’s heartfelt approach opened up so many areas of discussion around Ashtanga yoga, Tantra, Sufism, Mystical Dance, and more..
Truly enjoyed the process , hope the listeners will do too.
Yoga Journal Turkiye katkilariyla hayat bulan “Yoga & Ben” podcast serisinde sevgili Ozgecan Tapa ile cok keyifli sohbet ettik. Turk dostlara ulasabilmek cok guzel. Keyifli dinlemeler 🙂 Sevgiyle…
Our deepest roots are in nature. It is in nature our imagination is shaped, our song and dance are lived, our language is formed. We can taste the beauty of the wild by learning to get into alignment with other forms of life and communicate in a particular way.
I choose big trees to align with, especially pines as they are abundant in Norway. Pine Trees radiate Chi, nourish blood, and strengthen nervous system. They also nurture souls and spirits. Pines are the “Immortal Tree.” Early Chinese poetry and art are in praise of pines.
Hamar, Norway
Greenly spirit of trees offer so much wisdom once the relationship is cultivated. It takes time and regular appointments with one another. When you are open-minded and close to a tree or plant, your bioenergy fields are overlapping. In that overlapping area, information is shared and exchanged, emotional perception is heightened.
Trees don’t move around, they exist in a state of profound acceptance and peace within themselves. Their quality of presence is stillness. This gives us time align get to know one another.
Here are some of the ways I enjoy the communion with trees:
Firmly rooting my feet on Earth, I spend time with the tree not thinking what I can take from it, what it can do for me but simply being with the tree, enjoying its presence and hopefully it enjoys mine.. I do it so I can become quiet and to remove from the mind anything that is not tree. Seeing’ the tree inside and outside can be a pleasant experience of being. Not all trees are social. One must listen long enough to realise Earth is not as cruel as an incomprehensible as we think.
A tree is a stand-er. Stand tall and be as still as possible as it does the same, they are part of our own body. It pulls up water from earth, heat and light from the sun, just like we do..and sends it back down on Earth. The magical dance of prana and apana…
My favorite is sitting under a tree. In Ayurveda, it is called “sneha”, the motherly love, feeling of affection, protection.. sitting under a big bodied mamma tree makes me feel loved and protected.
Go to a nearby tree. Become friendly, get to know the tree, let it know you appreciate it and see what way you can enter into a relationship…
Let the tree lead you into the wonders of its inner life.
This is the interview I did with Miss W last year. We talked about my yoga journey and thoughts on teaching yoga, practicing and it’s natural evolution.
There is another face under yours.
Another body within,
Another heart also.
Be courageous friend! Become an archeologist – dig in and dig out.
Whatever you do,
Know this:
You are the Ocean of the Self and The real you is
unseen.
Meric Ekren, Hamar/Norway
The subject of Backbending and Love may seem unrelated to most people. My intuition inspires me to explore the connection between the two and consider Bending of the back not just as a movement but as a form of expansion and artistic expression of our heart space.
In our psychical practice of Yoga, backbends can be some of the most resistant movements. The word “Backbending” can be associated with discomfort and pain. Bending backward is not a natural movement to our system. It requires greater flexibility in the spine plus the bravery of going against gravity; surrendering to the outflow of emotions pouring out from the heart; vulnerability, fear, unfamiliarity just to name a few.
We are constantly forward bending. Our shoulders tend to rotate inward from hours at the computer, using smart phones, driving etc. When we try to protect ourselves and hide our emotions we often concave our shoulders and backs in a gesture of closing off. The act of closing off puts pressure on our breathing, nervous and digestive system. Backbends counteracts this tendency and ignites healing. Yoga Master B.K.S Iyengar recommended backbends as a cure for depression or even as an alternative for heart patients.
Anatomically, a backbend is a spinal extension and engages the whole body. It physically opens the heart and the lungs, encouraging the muscular/fascial effort to maintain the pose. For example in “Wild Thing” pose, an active backbend; our heart is pounding as we bring more oxygen at the bottom of the lungs ( this is an area that gets less than the upper region) making us feel as if we’ve just downed a double expresso. Who needs caffeine, right? 🙂
The physical act of opening the heart initiates a radiant expression in our relative subtle energy or chakra centre ” Anahata Chakra”. This centre is connected with our ability to love, forgive, and respect one another as well as devotion. As we remain present to in this centre we can help to free some of our deep seated thought patterns. ( for example thinking “I’m not good enough”).
I feel backbends are the heart of yoga. They offer us serious capacity for expanding our magnificent Light. We are here for our complete Self to shine in the most unique way. By exploring our resistance to backbends we learn to release fear and cultivate willingness to heal. Our emotional body can begin to see itself as supremely intelligent and full of joy. From there everything reveals itself as beauty.
In Patanjali’s perspective, the most reliable knowledge is derived from direct experience. So, if you are new to back bending, I encourage you to start slowly. Passive backbends such as Fish or Cobra poses are great beginnings into backbends. Feel free to use props, remember to aim for a nice long curve in the spine and allow the breath to gradually bring you deeper. Follow with child’s pose or forward fold to prevent any straining of the back and neck.
Finally, I’d love to hear from you! What are your experiences of backbends? How do you approach them? Do you have any questions about how best to work with them? Contact me here or on Instagram, ( embracing_thegrace) or on Facebook ( YogaBhimaLight).
Happy back bending! 🙂
Meric Ekren
Stand still.
trees ahead, bushes beside you are not lost
whereever you are called is here,
and you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breaths, Listen.
It answers;
I’ve made this place around you,
if you leave it, you might come back again, same; here
no two trees are the same, too raven.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
you are surely lost.
Stand still.
Forest knows where you are
you must let it find you..
Embracing Grace 