What first brought you to the mat? In what ways do you physically, mentally & emotionally benefit from having yoga in your life? Do you have a favorite style of yoga that you prefer to do? What brings you back to your practice?

How can you approach today with a sense of wonder and ease?

From today on, you're going to be your very first priority. Think about the times when you didn't put your own well being first, and how it ended up. Then, reflect about how you can change this pattern from now on. The second part of this is to write about what you are thankful for today. Write about it in your own private journal. Share insights, lessons learned, or anything you feel would be beneficial to share with others as a way of connecting or to affect the overall growth of the collective.

Ahimsa: Non-harming, harmlessness. To practice ahimsa is to not wish or do any harm to another living being. Ahimsa is the first of the yamas in Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutras. These ethical principles, or restraints, serve as a guide for what not to do. Within the same scripture are the niyamas, which are observances that point devotees into the direction of what to do. Traditionally, ahimsa means nonviolence and is often viewed from only a physical perspective. Yet, this yama covers much more terrain than purely physical; to practice it correctly, one must remember to include oneself. Rather than literal acts of the body, Pantanjali was referring to the attitude of the mind. He believed that one's attitude determines their freedom (liberation of the mind) or decides their bondage (being a servant of the mind and the thoughts). Every thought, whether about the Self or another being, matters greatly. Thoughts are energy and energy flows. To harm anyone, even with a negative thought, judgment, or an angry word, has the potential to harm the person doing the action as well as the one receiving it. Negative thinking has been known to perpetuate depression, anxiety, stress, and even lower immune function. On the other hand, positive thoughts can offer an upward change in perspective and can get us through difficult moments. With a kind word or thought, one’s mood immediately improves and we feel happier and lighter.. In addition, thoughts are energy and energy flows. Therefore, when we are negatively talking or judging another person, it is believed that the energy will eventually begin to affect that person. Mental Exercise | Practice: Today, watch your thoughts as often as possible. Each time you get lost in thought, bring yourself back to the present moment by noticing your breath, listening to the sounds around you, or simply feel your feet on the ground and the air on your skin. The more you practice watching your thoughts while staying present, the more aware of your thoughts you will become. Do your best to allow any thoughts to come and go without being too hard on yourself if you find your mind wandering. Do not force the process either. If it is challenging right now, in time it will become easier. As you observe what comes up, ask yourself, "Are the thoughts I'm thinking about myself/another person, kind and compassionate?" Notice any themes that arise. How can you be kinder to yourself and to others today?

:: Gratitude turns what we have into enough :: What are you grateful for today?

Did you know that the physical aspect of yoga (the asanas, or poses) is only a very small part of the practice? When most people think about or hear the word, "yoga", they immediately visualize the postures...ie...triangle pose, warrior pose, tree pose, etc... however, as I mentioned, the physical poses and postures are only a tiny piece of what yoga intends to achieve and encompasses. In this particular post, I'll plan to present the 8 Limbs, or aspects, of yoga. Beyond this posting, we will break down and examine each limb, branch by branch and leaf by leaf. Are you ready for the big picture? Okay, let's do it. In Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, the eight fold path is called, ASHTANGA which literally means, "eight limbs" (ashta = 8, tanga = Limb). These 8 steps basically act as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. 1.Yama | 5 Social Ethics a. Ahimsa - Kindness b. Satya - Truth, Essence c. Asteya - Non-Stealing d. Bramacharya - Moderation e. Aparigraha - Generosity 2. Niyama | 5 Personal Practices a. Saucha - Purity b. Santosha - Contentment c. Tapas - Austerity, d. Swadyaya - Self Study e. Iswara-Pranidhana - Surrender 3. Asanas | Postures - Easy and comfortable positions of the body that are intended to connect the mind & spirit to experience stillness and infiity 4. Pranayama | Mindful Breathing - Honoring the breath to uncover the light within 5. Pratyahara | Turning Inward - Providing alternate inner point of attraction (like breath, chakra) to the senses to go inward 6. Dharana | Concentration - Refers to concentration of the mind. Practicing dharana involves fixing the mind on a particular object 7. Dyhanan | De Concentration - Dropping all the efforts and letting go 8. Samadhi | Pure Bliss | Nirvana - Constant & complete harmony of the Self with the Universe Which of the limbs are you most curious about? The aspects of what intrigues me has changed over time. Initially, the postures and physical side of yoga is what drew me to the practice. At the time, I wanted to get into shape, be more mindful of my body and better understand those around me. However, as time went on and I found myself in my first-ever yoga teacher training, where I discovered so much more about the topic. I am grateful to have begun with a very traditional style of yoga called Sivananda yoga. Throughout my 3 month long training, I was still able to work, go to school, and enjoy other social things. However, in order to get the very most from the training, I had to adhere to some strict guidelines. The intention behind the following guidelines was to introduce and immerse us into a peaceful, or sattvic, way of living, feeling, eating, thinking, & being. These are some, but not all of the training guidelines: No television, radio or music other than calming, yogic music similar to what you'd expect to have playing in a yoga class. We were asked to NOT watch the news or read the newspaper. We followed a sattvic vegan/vegetarian diet by eliminating meat, dairy, sugar, alcohol, and drugs of any type. Every day of the 12-week training, except on Sundays, we met at the studio at 6:00 a.m. to meditate as a group. On Sunday mornings we arrived at 8:00 a.m. for 30 minutes of pranayama (breathwork) followed by 90 minutes of traditional Sivananda yoga. Each week, I was expected to participate in 7 yoga classes and offer hands-on assistance in 3 additional classes. The training was intense, but worth every bit of it. I learned in three months what would have taken me a lifetime to learn. On the surface, I became skilled in leading practitioners through their practice, assisting them while in poses, and much more about the human body. I experienced and found value in living peacefully, eating more mindfully, and became a better human overall and in all aspects of my life. Yoga is a way of life. It teaches us present moment awareness and encourages self exploration through meditation and time spent on the mat. Over time, it helps to find ways to minimize stress and gives the tools to better handle stressful situations and moments in time. Yoga asks us to live our lives while being considerate of others, it teaches empathy, honesty, self love and compassion, and overall, it asks us to be a good human.

“What is it you plan to do with this ONE, WILD, & PRECIOUS life of yours?” - Mary Oliver — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — I've spent a lot of time over the years searching for quotes that move me. I seek them out in hopes of finding inspiration for myself, my loved ones, and of course, to share in my classes. I love encountering words that activate something deep within me when I take them in and allow them to seep into my soul. Words have power and when they are used for good, they can encourage, motivate, and even energize our day. If we allow them to, words can truly inspire our lives and shed light in the darkest corners of our being. That is what this quote does for me. I've come across it many times while searching and each time I read it, it's like I am discovering it for the very first time. These specific words written by Mary Oliver make me think, feel, and always spark something within me. This something that is sparked causes me to want to move my body. I literally want to break out in a dance or turn on some funky music, jump on my yoga mat, and move from pose to pose to pose. For me, this quote reminds me of the fact that yes, I only have this ONE, WILD, & PRECIOUS life and that I have a desire to actually and authentically live it. I want to feel and breathe my way into my body so that I can experience and uncover the joy that I know is inside of me just waiting for recognition. So, let me ask you... What do you plan to do with this ONE, WILD, & PRECIOUS life of yours?

Hello, Blue Feather community members! I started this forum because I wanted a place to grow our community even when we are not practicing together. This is a place where you can share your thoughts, feelings, and anything you wish to share. I know that life is already busy enough, but there is no pressure here. Just when you find yourself with a few free moments, stop by to inspire and stay connected with one another! Feel free to add GIFs, videos, #hashtags (I've got one! #bluefeatherwellnessyoga) =) Namaste!! I hope to see you soon!

We'd love to get to know you better. Take a moment to say hi to the community in the comments. How long have you been practicing for? What style of yoga do you enjoy most? Why? What do you love about yourself? How do you find joy each day? What inspires you?

We want everyone to get the most out of this community, so we ask that you please read and follow these guidelines: Be kind and respect each other Keep posts relevant to the forum topic No spamming Smile as you type your comments Breathe deeply