To hear the word “surrender” in a yoga class is commonplace. To surrender into the pose. To surrender any pre-conceived expectations of how a pose should look or feel. To surrender the ego. Now, surrender is a fine practice. It fosters sensitivity, humility, patience, and awareness. All worthy and necessary qualities.
But what has become of the Will? The deliberate nurturing and cultivation of an adamant Will. The bedrock upon which all action is built. Such talk is practically akin to blasphemy in most of today’s rainbow chocolate covered chakra-licious yoga classes, but the simple truth is that the practices of Yoga are part of a system intentionally designed to nourish and mature the power of the Will.
Now please don’t suppose that by that is meant a system to empower and create a particularly willful variety of stubborn Ass. No, that is not what is meant, though that does tend to be what is conjured in mind when one speaks of Will these days. Three conjoining terms from Yoga will shed light.

Iccha (Will) Kriya (Action) Jnana (Knowledge)

A yoga sadhak was expected to cultivate a Will strong enough to take the Action necessary to attain to Knowledge. Self-knowledge. Furthermore, consider this. Meditation is the fixing of the mind upon a single object to the exclusion of all other mental and sensory diversion. Meditation is only made possible if the Will is strong enough to hold the mind from wandering. The foundation of Meditation is the Will.

Yogas chitta vritti nirodah.

Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the Mind – the classic rendering of Patanjali’s most famous sutra written above. But wonderful, symbolique Sanskrit also allows for this translation -
Yoga is the cessation of the wavering of the Will.

I leave you with two quote to take for a spin.

“Do as thou Wilt shall be the whole of the Law.” – Aleister Crowley

“You’ve got to know when to hold em’
Know when to fold em’
Know when to walk away
Know when to run”
– Kenny Rogers

Namaste Mo-fo’s!!!
Tom Sharp, KYT

It is that season, the season where we turn inward to re-awaken our sense of self.

The days darken early, and even the world around us reveals its bones –- the naked tree limbs that stretch against the sky, the patch of ice that in its very stillness reflects the universe.

It is in this spirit, the spirit of reflection that I offer you the following lyrical essay that I wrote about a little place called MOYO.

I hope you enjoy it and remember to use this winter time to reconnect with your “self.”

the yoga studio

They come in the early evening for yoga, carrying red, purple, green rubber mats,
tight-rolled, banded in silk made from Indian saris.

They come in black pants and tie-dyed headbands,
carrying their water canteens;
browsing in the gift shop before class,
chatting over hand-rolled sandalwood incense, semi-precious gemstone malas,
neti pots, China gel, gypsy bags,
amethyst crystals strung on leather cords.

They put boots on the raw wooden rack,
hang jackets on pegs,
unroll mats and bodies on the wooden studio floor;

In the back room, I prepare for massage,
lighting the crimson pillars around the Buddha’s head; warming the bed; steaming the towels; scenting them with essential oils — lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus

I offer a prayer to Shivago, the father doctor, in the language of Pali,
Na-a Na-wa Rokha Payati Vina-Santi
May this healing medicine encircle the world . . .
I direct the words into my breath, my heart, and my hands.

When my client arrives, I place my fingers on her, traveling a different landscape; eyes closed, I will press here, there, feel the subtle beat of pulse and hard bone, strum against the cords that bind this body, down the lamina groove, over the erector spinae muscles, C-7 to the thoracic spinous processes, to the lumbar’s secondary curve, down to the fish-shaped sacrum, and then separate hands to trace each iliac crest.

Little lumps of hard fascia poke through her tissue, bits of cold butter against my palms.

I rub muscles; effleurage, petrissage, jostle, hold, compress, using knuckles, forearms and fists
until she melts on this river of herself.

Sounds rise from outside the door. The yoga students depart with flushed, perspiring faces, and call out cheerful goodbyes,
the gentle click of the door between this world and that one.
But no matter, it is all ways, you, always you, under your own hand.

Patti Kinsey CMT, LMT  Massage Therapist

Over the past several weeks,  I have been setting an intention to gain clarity on different aspects in my life.  One day before yoga class, that clarity was realized as I glanced in the bathroom mirror.  Staring back at me were the words: “BE STRONG…Stand up for what you believe in!.   “WOW”!  I immediately felt a sense of clarity.   These words made me realize that I AM STRONG for managing my depression and I should STAND UP and help others gain the strength I’ve found.  Namaste!!!

I continued to stare at my reflection and wondered if the people in my life were a mirror reflecting my true self.  Could this be?   I have found myself looking away from people and closing myself off many times before (a typical response of a depressed person is avoidance which only causes symptoms to become worse).  For instance,  if I had the courage to show up for yoga on a depressed day, I would enter into child pose creating a proverbial shell around me.  Funny how I found myself avoiding the part of the yoga practice that would’ve  helped me manage my depression the most!  Now, I realize when I’m feeling raw, miserable and closed are the times in my life when I need my sangha (community) the most.  I don’t need to hide in my shell but reach out and OPEN myself!   Our MOYO sangha has given me love, support and allows me to see that everyone is an authentic reflection of me.

No matter what you are dealing with either depression, anxiety, stress, life/death issues, loneliness, etc. I encourage you to practice yoga to OPEN to your true self and reach out to your sangha for love and support  because they are an authentic reflection of you…..

Come and join me on January 21st as I facilitate Yoga for Depression and Anxiety.

Gratefully,
Eileen Connell, Certified MOYO Teacher

If I told you that the average American adults spend about 90% of their lives indoors, I expect you wouldn’t be surprised.  As long as we aren’t stuck in the dog house too often, most of us work, eat and sleep inside, which leaves little time for us to enjoy the outdoors. 

But if I told you that taking an outside break has clear health and productivity benefits, that might be more of a surprise.  Here are my top 5 reasons why you should make it a habit:

- Your stress level will go down.  Research shows that when it comes to recovering from a stressful event, being in nature is of greater help than trying to work things out inside. 

- Your vitamin D will go up.  Since vitamin D is related to wide-ranging health benefits from cancer to depression to heart attack prevention, it’s certainly noteworthy.

- You are likely to be more active.  Of course you could also just sit and take in the scenery.  But generally speaking, people who step our for a break engage in activities such as walking, biking, gardening (for those who work from home) and the like.

- You will complain less.  People who are exposed to natural light tend to feel a lift in mood.  Step out, feel better, complain less.   

- Your concentration will improve.  Research done with ADHD children showed that they performed better in school after an outdoor versus an indoor walk.  Another research study showed that people who go outside come back more refreshed, which helps them think quicker once back in work mode.

All things considered, a mid-day walk outside will help you be healthier, happier and more productive.  And now is the time to form the habit before the weather gets colder and going out is less tempting.  Not sure how it will be perceived within the context of your organization?  Pass on this newsletter to your peers.  Or better yet, invite me for a 30-minute seminar on how greater health leads to higher productivity!

Moyo is a place to relax. Moyo is a place that you can let your anger out and be peaceful. Moyo is a place where yoga is and where awesome teachers teach yoga.

Poem by Zoe Kistler, age 12

I am just back from Boston where I took a course in mind-body medicine at Harvard Medical School. And what did I learn? A lot, and very little.

Let me explain. Between 60 and 90% of all doctor visits are related to stress. In fact, the World Health Organization calls depression and burnouts the #1 cause of work disability worldwide. It’s really time we start taking – and treating – stress more seriously.

Mind-body medicine is about activating the relaxation response. It is both a recognized and accessible way to treat stress. Sounds fancy, and the research supporting the technique I am about tho share is equally elaborate. But the strategy is very simple.

Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and repeat to yourself a simple mantra in your native language. For example, you might try “I am” on the inspiration and “at peace” on the expiration. If you are more goal oriented, you might like “I exude” and “confidence”. Trying to overcome a difficult challenge? How about “Getting” and “closer”. Play with different words or combinations, and find one that best fits your needs.

And then what? Well, that’s it. Nothing more complicated than good old breathing and quieting your mind for anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes per day. The list of benefits from this exercise is seemingly endless, but let me name just a few:
- Mental: the ability to think clearer and make better decisions
- Physical: improved immune function and reduced blood pressure
- Emotional: feeling calmer and more energized
- Spiritual: a greater sense of meaning and purpose.

I encourage you to try it out, and stick with it for a few weeks. Research shows that over time, this practice will change your brain’s physiology, and render increasing benefits. If this is recommended by Harvard doctors, it’s certainly worth a try!

Deep breath in… and out!
Warmly,

Marie-Josee Shaar
Master of Applied Positive Psychology
Certified Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness Consultant
SaS Founder

Jackknife (utthita urdhva paschimottonasana):

 ó      From tadasana, exhale the arms out to the sides.

ó       Hinge at the hips, come forward to a flat back and hold.

ó      Reach the hips towards the back and the crown of the head towards the front. Keep the legs strong and reach the fingers out to the side walls.

Red Flags:  Low back, legs and hips.