Trauma-informed Yoga
“When we take a trauma-informed approach to teaching yoga, it is best practice to both learn and then apply the knowledge about the nervous system with the help of the Polyvagal Theory.”
In this article, Bridget Hammill considers how trauma-informed yoga practices can benefit the nervous system when it gets stuck in defensive mode as a result of past trauma.
Samatvam - the yoga of balance
The ancient science of Yoga recognises that we are all in a state of imbalance.
From a philosophical perspective, everything in the universe, including our bodies and mind are subject to the ‘play of the Gunas’, fluctuations in energy that range from stagnation (Tamas) and turbulence (Rajas) to balance and harmony (Sattva).
In this article, Yogacharya Michael McCann (Spandan) explores the roots of imbalance and some yogic practices that bring us into balance again.
The Shining Mirror Of Consciousness
‘Just as it is in the nature of a mirror to shine, so all beings at their origin possess spiritual illumination. When, however, passions obscure the mirror, it becomes covered over, as if with dust. When false thoughts, under the direction of the master, are overcome and destroyed, they cease to proclaim themselves. Then is the Intellect illumined, in accordance with its nature, and noting remains unknown. It is like the polishing of a mirror’.
Tsung-mi
All the paths of Yoga are means of polishing the Buddhi mirror. Yogacharya Michael McCann explores the many ways of polishing the mirror of consciousness.
Reflections on the Sun
The spiritual sun is the source of love, creativity, transformation and our very Consciousness. While the sun’s light makes things visible, the inner light of Awareness is more luminous, because Consciousness is the greatest power of visibility. The sun would simply not exist for us were it not known in the light of Awareness.