Tantra Philosophy.

Tantra Philosophy.

The students are working on some mandala’s in these pictures. One of the key concepts of Tantra is connecting the microcosm with the macrocosm. A mandala is a picture that represents the entire Universe. If we look at the yoga story of the wave and the ocean — Tantra says that you are both the individual wave and you are the water that is connected to everything and everyone. You are the wave and you are the ocean. Tantra philosophy primarily influences Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Laya Yoga. Some of the tantric practices are also found and were practiced alongside all of the other orthodox and heterodox philosophy teachings of the Classical period. Tantra reexamines the role of the feminine. Darkness isn’t meant to be overcome or avoided. Tantra instead speaks of transformation. Turn your darkness into light. Reimagine your darkness as light. If you want to experience God, become like a God.

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Chakra presentations!

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Chakra presentations!

I do this exercise where I ask the students to think of someone who is in their life who is dominant in one of their chakras. And then for each person to imagine they are your yoga student who has come to you for advice. How do you help them find balance?
When we are doing our practice you want the energy to rise to the 6th chakra and take you inward. But in your daily life the 24 hours of each day need to be divided equally. How much of your day do you spend on survival and earning a living? On seeking pleasure? On asserting your power? On being kind and compassionate to others and being of service? On expressing your truth and letting creativity flow through you? And I’m going inward to experience the true nature of your Self? How are you out of balance? What would help you find more balance?

Find the right teacher for you.

Find the right teacher for you.

We are all vibrating at different frequencies. Same attracts same. Like attracts like. You will be drawn to a teacher who is offering the amount of knowledge and the amount of truth you are ready for. When you are ready for more knowledge and more truth you will be drawn to a teacher with more knowledge and more truth. Everything is unfolding the way it is supposed to. We are all helping each other along. I’ve been very fortunate to have so many wonderful teachers in my life. Each one has helped me so much. One of the ways we honor our teachers and pay off the debt we owe to them is to pass on the teachings to our students. Thank you to my students for a great first week. Thank you for letting me honor my teachers and for being so open and receptive and letting me share their teachings with you.

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Really fun Shiva Power class at Aroma Yoga in Zhuhai!

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Really fun Shiva Power class at Aroma Yoga in Zhuhai!

What a great group of students. A very hot and sweaty class. We went deep into the fire. My dharma talk at the beginning of class was all about tapas. There’s no yoga if it’s not challenging. What is challenging is different for each of us. Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. Focus on your practice. Work hard and get out of your comfort zone. You have to work out of your comfort zone. It’s supposed to be challenging. Yoga is not about being comfortable. It is about sitting in the discomfort, staying calm, staying present, looking at the things that come up for you, and practicing letting them go. Are you fighting your way through your class? Or are you breathing into it? Are you fighting your way through your life? Or are you breathing into it? Keep it light. Keep it fun. But don’t turn the heat down. Go towards the fire. Don’t run away from it. Thank you, everyone for going into the fire with me!!! Such a wonderful experience sharing the teachings with you. Thank you to Yan for inviting to teach at your studio. And thank you to Stella for organizing and translating. Namaste.

“Yogas Chitta Vrtti Nirodhaha”.

“Yogas Chitta Vrtti Nirodhaha”.

“Tapas, Svadhyaya, ishvara pranidhana” — Yoga practice consists of effort towards concentration, leading you into the fire, staying present to your experience and studying your mind and your patterns, and letting them go, ultimately surrendering to that which is beyond your ego.”

Beautiful gift from my host, Stella. Thank you so much. I love it.
And it’s very hot and humid here. It will come in handy as well.

Great Arm Balance Workshop at Kula Yoga!

Great Arm Balance Workshop at Kula Yoga!

A few more pics from our Arm Balance Workshop this past weekend at Kula Yoga In Port Orange!!!
These pictures are of the Firefly Pose variations and the Tortoise Pose. The first picture is of the Firefly variation with straight arms and the arms and legs perpendicular to the ground. The second picture is of the Firefly variation with bent arms, the elbows at ninety degrees like in the Low Plank pose, and the legs parallel to the ground.

Crane vs. Crow

Crane vs. Crow

I think we sometimes confuse these two poses, or, maybe just refer to them as the same pose sometimes — but they actually are two separate poses.
Kakasana is the Crow Pose. Bakasana is the Crane Pose. I think the confusion partially comes from the challenge of the Crane Pose. It’s hard to straighten the arms in this pose. So, a lot of us are working towards the Crane Pose but our pose might look actually more like the Crow Pose. The Crow Pose is a pretty challenging pose too.

One Legged Crane (Eka Pada Bakasana) Variations.

One Legged Crane (Eka Pada Bakasana) Variations.

Once you are balancing in the Crane Pose, to come into the first variation of the One Legged Crane, try to lift one knee off of your arm and bring it to the middle of your chest, or bring it across your body and tap the other knee. If this is successful, try to straighten the leg behind you. Reach up and back like you are in the Standing splits. It’s hard to keep the arms straight in this pose. Do the same work in the arms and the shoulders as you would in the Crane Pose.
The second variation is easier to come into from Downward Dog. Step your right foot forward. Move your foot to the right and bring both arms inside the right leg. Drop your shoulder and work your shoulder behind your knee. Place your hands down, shoulder distance apart. Now, step your back foot forward and bring your knee to the back of your arm, by your armpit. This knee is in the same position as the Crane Pose. Drop your hips and lean back. Lift the front leg and straighten the leg. The front leg will be in the same position as Koundinyasana 2. Press your arms, lean forward, and lift your back foot. Bend your knee and pull the heel closer to your buttocks

Connecting with Community!

Connecting with Community!

our energy affects everyone around you. Let your line shine brightly. Some days you will inspire the person next to you and help lift them up. Some days they will inspire you and help to lift you up. Push yourself to work a little harder and challenge yourself to go a little deeper. Go into the fire and stand your ground. You’re surrounded by friends. You’re surrounded by family. You’re not alone on this journey.

Back to Basics.

Back to Basics.

You’re taking a journey to the center of your Self. You’re walking to the center of the wheel. You’re not going to suddenly burst into flames when you experience the true nature of your Self, or turn into light and disappear. Yoga won’t make all your problems and all of life’s challenges go away. But you can change your relationship to those problems and challenges. Yoga will help you shift your perspective. You change your relationship to your Self and you change your experience of the world.

Building a Meditation Practice.

Building a Meditation Practice.

It took me a long time to develop a meditation practice. Building a self practice is challenging. The best way to start is with a very short practice. Try five mins everyday. Try that for one month and see how it goes. You don’t have to start with a long practice. It’s better to pick something you know you can do everyday. Think of it like brushing your teeth. After one month if you were able to do the practice consistently then try adding another five minutes.

Variations in Scorpion Pose!

Variations in Scorpion Pose!

Some fun variations on the forearm’s yesterday in my Shiva Power class at Guruv Yoga Lake Mary in Orlando!!! Work on the Dolphin and the Forearm Plank to strengthen your arms and shoulders and prepare for the Forearm Balance. Once you’ve mastered the Forearm Balance you can work on the Scorpion Pose. Or play with splitting the legs, or work on the charging scorpion hollow back variation to open the shoulders and upper back.

Men do yoga too!

Men do yoga too!

You want to be a better athlete? Do yoga! Train your mind to concentrate so you can accomplish more and work more efficiently? Do yoga! Reduce stress and prevent injuries and disease? Do yoga! Hang out with a room full of hot and sweaty beautiful women who are impressed that you are the one guy who “gets it”? Do yoga! What are you waiting for guys? It’s time to get on your mat.

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“Copy the teacher!"

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“Copy the teacher!"

A happy belated birthday to my teacher — Dharma Mittra, who turned 80 yrs old last month. I’m so excited that I will be able to see Dharma this week while I am in New York. I’ve been lucky enough to take 3 Teacher Training programs with Dharma over the past 8 yrs and have come to New York on several additional trips for intensive study.

On to the next adventure!

On to the next adventure!

I’m flying to New York today. It’s a long journey. First to Chongqing. I have a layover and then a direct flight from Chongqing to JFK. It’s been an amazing trip so far. These last 2 weeks in Shanghai have been a lot of fun. I’ve met a lot of new students and made a lot of new friends. My first stop on this trip when I left Los Angeles was to New York. Feels like a long time ago! I’m excited to be back in New York.

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Backbending Workshop at Space Academy yesterday!

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Backbending Workshop at Space Academy yesterday!

This was a big workshop yesterday. We packed a lot of information into 2.5hrs. We discussed yoga theory, philosophy, anatomy review, Asana Breakdown, the spine, the tug of war actions, why we backbend in yoga, and we looked at a number of backbends in greater detail. When we backbend we are primarily looking at movement in the saggital plane, and poses that take the hips into extension, the spine into extension, and the shoulders into either flexion or extension.

Handstand Workshop at Space Academy today!

Handstand Workshop at Space Academy today!

The wall can be a crutch when we practice inversions. But it can also be a tool to help you magnify areas of weakness or areas where you are disconnected and lacking awareness.
I love using the wall to magnify how much core we need in our handstands. If you aren’t ready to do this exercise against the wall you can lie down on the floor first and practice your handstand against the floor, with your hands on the wall.

Call 310.800.8614
mail@garthhewittyoga.com