The Power of Community in Yoga

Yoga is undoubtedly starts as an individual pursuit. The practice is personal, and although we follow the same path, each person’s journey is ultimately unique.

Yet, even when practicing alone, there’s a pervading sense of connection to a wider community, united by a shared love of Yoga. The power of this connection is almost tangible in a group class, when your breath and movement is synchronised harmoniously with others around you, and there begins the sense of community within Yoga.

The desire to connect with others is a fundamental part of the human experience.

Whether we like it or not, we are hard-wired to crave and seek a sense of belonging.

This biological reassurance is the driving force behind the many roles and relationships in our lives, and the bonds we create with others undeniably accelerate growth and development.

Research has demonstrated that social support increases survival and longevity by some 50%. Holt-Lunstad and Smith’s meta-analysis of 148 studies found that not only is the risk of mortality from loneliness in the same category as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, but the benefits of community and interpersonal social networks are as important to physical health as beating obesity.

Community is clearly as nourishing for body and mind as yoga is itself, and the common ground doesn’t end there. Just like yoga, community is about connection and unity. Merge the two together and their power is amplified, allowing us to feel safe and supported in our journey, regardless of whether or not it’s a solo one.

In fact, it’s impossible to separate community and yoga; whether you’re practicing alone or in a hoard of hundreds, you are part of a worldwide network of likeminded and beautiful beings, whose connection transcends imagined boundaries of race, religion or nation.

This is one of the many incredible things about yoga; that something so personal can unite so many people.

After all, it is within others that we are able to most clearly see ourselves.

Without community, it’s easy to feel isolated and disengaged. But when we surround ourselves with like-minded and uplifting people, our shared experience builds strength and encourages growth.

The coming together of people of all cultures, backgrounds, shapes and sizes to find union in yoga ultimately has the power to influence a wave of positive change in communities across the world.

Even when we feel alone, this connection reminds us that we are always together, united as one.

Original article by Yogapedia

Deepening your yoga practice

Yoga gently but firmly pushes me out of my self-constructed limitations and beliefs. Although part of me feels like I am a seasoned yogini, another part of me is aware of the wealth of information on the subject. It would take a thousand lifetimes to acquire such vast knowledge.

When you’ve been doing yoga for a while it’s common to get to this point when you feel you want to take your practice further. You sense that you are just scratching the surface of what yoga truly is and are eager to go deeper. Or perhaps you feel like you have hit a plateau and want to make changes.

When I am stuck, complacent and stagnant, yoga helps me notice and acknowledge. It usually starts somewhere in my life: at work, with my partner, or in my hobbies. Soon enough it shows up on my yoga mat. I start to get bored of whatever sadhana (personal daily spiritual practice) I am doing and create excuses to skip or shorten my practice. I develop a sense of I am “not good at it” and tell myself I am not making any progress. I may even feel like giving up.

Gratefully, I journal. In doing so I identify these patterns, recognize them, and take action to halt the downward spiral.

I have developed steps to emerge from this stagnation, rediscover myself, and evolve and deepen my yoga practice.

Below are my suggestions – in no particular order – for developing your practice. Consider that you may find one step serves you, while another does not and that the effects can be cumulative. 

1. Set clear intentions

The most powerful step I can take when I am ready to revamp and rediscover my yoga practice is to know the why. Knowing why-you-do-what-you-do will benefit you on those days when you wonder why the hell you embarked on such a journey in the first place. A reassessment of your intentions helps when you start slacking off, or worse, consider giving up.

So, know why you practice. Do you do it for your physical well-being? Is it about creating balance in your life through asana and meditation? Do you practice to connect to your own spirituality and to the God of your own understanding? Whatever your reasons may be, make them clear; write them down, read them often.

2. Explore different styles of yoga

When it comes to physical yoga (or yoga asana) in the Western World, Hatha yoga is probably the most mainstream of them all. However, Hatha yoga is just one of many styles of yoga asana. I believe it is worth exploring the variety of practices, as each discipline has its own benefits and limitations. You may find that one style fits your lifestyle or worldview, while another may feel completely disconnected. Nevertheless, trying different approaches will give you new perspectives and insights into your practice.

So, take time to explore different yoga styles. There’s Yin Yoga, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Restorative, Vinyasa, and many more. 

3. Learn about all 8 limbs of yoga

In my first yoga teacher training, it was eye-opening to learn that yoga is not simply about the physical postures. According to Patanjali, yoga Asana is only one of the eight limbs of yoga. The others being:

1. Yamas (external disciplines)

2. Niyamas (internal disciplines)

3. Asana (physical postures)

4. Pranayama (breath control or techniques)

5. Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses)

6. Dharana (focus, concentration)

7. Dhyana (meditation)

8. Samadhi (union, integration, bliss)

Although playing with advanced yoga poses can be fun, studying the limbs helped me realize that practicing asana is simply a gateway to a deeper, more fulfilling practice that encompasses body, mind and soul. 

On the days I may be physically unable to move my body (lack of time, illness, etc.), I can continue to practice and engage in yoga without ever getting in a yoga pose. It doesn’t make you less of a yogi or yogini.

The eight limbs are a profound and enlightening path of growth and I would highly-recommend exploring them.

4. Find teachers that you connect with

Finding teachers that inspire and keep me coming back to the mat makes a huge difference in my practice. Even as a teacher myself, I often pull out my mat and wonder what the heck I should do. Oftentimes I will sit, breathe, listen to my body, and move from a place of exploration and freedom. But I can also get very lazy, do the bare minimum, and call it a day. 

I come to my mat refreshed when I have teachers I enjoy. They encourage growth and exploration that might be inaccessible on my own.

Take the time to look around for a teacher you love, whether you like to practice in a studio or online. Make a list of your favourite teachers (hopefully in a variety of styles) and commit to periodically taking their classes. When you find someone you truly connect with, your practice will grow, and your chances of sticking with it will improve!

5. Commit to your practice

Be realistic! Sometimes I get overly excited when creating my weekly, monthly, or seasonal timetable. I’ll schedule a routine of daily hour-long morning and evening practices. As phenomenal and beneficial as this could be, it is probably not realistic. An unattainable schedule leads to feelings of failure. I sometimes forget that life happens.

I recommend a sustainable, stress-free commitment to practicing. What length of time can you really commit to regularly? As mentioned before, yoga has cumulative effects. A 20-minute daily session coupled with 5 minutes of meditation before bed is more beneficial than a 90-minute class once a week.  To really commit to your practice, it’s key to intentionally commit to a routine that you’re able to stick to as much as possible.

6. Create a sacred space

It’s important to set up a space that is yours and designated for your yoga practice, whether you live in a tiny house, a flat, or a large home. Again, it is easy to get caught up and think that you’ll redo your office into a yoga room. But try to be practical. If you can renovate, go for it. But remember that you don’t need a big, fancy space. Your yoga space can be in the balcony, right next to your bed, or in the corner of your living room. 

Whatever space you choose, take time to declutter and make it special in your own way. You may want to even create an altar with crystals or flowers. Maybe even put some plants around your mat.

Create a space designated for your practice that you’ll want to show up to. If possible, leave your mat unrolled on the floor. I find that I am more likely to do the yoga if all I must do is step onto my mat.

Remember, the more you show up, the more your practice will evolve. 

7. Develop community

Yoga means to yoke, to come together, with oneself, others, and the Universe. Get involved in your yoga community in a way that supports others and allows others to support you. Find a local studio, a yoga book club, create your own group to practice together at a park, or join an online community like EkhartYoga and follow a program together.

Find and create community in a way that will support your growth and encourage you to continue your yoga practice. There are many possibilities and the search may involve a bit of trial and error until you find the right energy for you. But it’s out there. And if the right energy isn’t, create it! 

8. Give yourself grace

Give yourself grace. I believe that this is the most important tip of all. As you deepen your practice remember that growth isn’t linear. You will find rocks in your path. Sometimes you may not practice, you may get sick and need reinvent how you do yoga. Consider the principle of Vairagya or non-attachment in your practice. Life will happen. You are practicing the true yoga if you remember to breathe, stay present, and remain open to and grateful for life.

You, my friend, have chosen the yogic path. And although finding the path may be difficult, seeking it is certainly worthwhile.

So, keep practicing. Keep growing. Keep living your life with a sense of wonder and gratitude, and the rest will fall into place as it may. 

Why building a yoga community is to important

Community is about union and connection. The actual definition of community according to Webster’s Dictionary is, “A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.” It can be created because of a work culture, a commonality such as having a baby, or an interest a group of people shares such as yoga. Community requires a little something of each person as well. For example, if you’re going to be a part of a community, then you’ll have some responsibility to create a positive energy around the other people. By bringing positivity and a desire to impact others via new connections, a community can grow and be a safe area for expression.

Building a yoga community is a beneficial step to bringing every yogi together to increase positivity and health.

YOUR YOGA COMMUNITY

A practice community, sometimes known as a sangha in Buddhist circles, is a group of people that support you in your chosen lifestyle. Most often this support comes as a result of a shared set of values or ethics that need not be spoken about, but that you have all decided on for yourselves as a beneficial or healthy way of life, for example the Yoga Sutras. A practice community doesn’t have to be formally affiliated, and sometimes you even find yourself within such a network without having had the intention of joining or being part such a group.

Living ‘on the path’ of consciousness, towards enlightenment or awakening or even just with the intention of putting health and wellbeing before money and materialistic goals isn’t always easy. In many ways it feels as if you are swimming against the tide. Modern society has been built, to a large extent, on the premise that we all want to make a lot of money and spend it, while still thinking anxiously about what comes next. So if this isn’t your goal, if you’re working on a life of contentment, of being present and accepting of each moment as it shows up, then inevitably there will be times that you find yourself at odds with people around you or with processes that you are expected to participate in. This is when it helps to have other people that have similar goals or intentions to you that can help you remember what works for you, what is authentic for you, what helps you find happiness and health.

Humans, by nature, are social animals. From birth we rely on others to validate and confirm our existence. We watch the behavior of others to learn and seek out the support and comfort of others when we are sick or hurt. But we don’t always make the best choices for ourselves. And, just like with food, ‘we are what we eat’, or in this case, who we hang out with. This doesn’t mean we judge or look down upon those who live a different lifestyle than we do, but just begin to think about who you spend your time with and what you do when you are together. We have limited time here in this body, a finite period in which to experience life as a human being. If each minute were a dollar, how much would you pay to spend time with the people you choose to be around? Are these people your friends?

When you actively join a practice community, such as a yoga class or meditation group, you not only gain support for your lifestyle but you also take on responsibility for supporting others. Be considerate in the way you interact with those in your practice community. Remember to give what you would like to receive, share love and happiness rather than gossip and negative attitudes. Practice being happy and joyful for others, compassionate, grateful, non-judgmental and above all else, be a good friend to those in your practice community. Know when to set your ego aside and be present for others.

Meet Matt Ringrose from Bondi Meditation Centre

Bondi Meditation Centre is a stunning space in the heart of Bondi, founded by Matt Ringrose. Matt has created a place for people to come together, as a community, and either learn or deepen their meditation practice. We interviewed Matt to learn more about his story, read below!

Can you tell us a little bit about how you came to find meditation and where your passion stemmed from?

I found out about Vedic meditation through the book ‘Catching the Big Fish’ by the film director David Lynch. I devoured the book in one day 13 years ago and learned Vedic Meditation that same week.

How did the Bondi Meditation Centre come about and what amazing work do you do there?

I trained as a VM teacher almost 10 years ago and to my delight and surprise found that Bondi Meditation was available as a URL and business name! How things have changed in the last decade. The first 'Bondi Meditation Centre' was my house in Bondi but we outgrew that. So in April 2019 we moved to the current Bondi Meditation Centre - a beautiful space at the top of O'Brien St. Read more here!

How do you feel meditation has impacted your life?

Meditation dramatically improved my long term anxiety and depression, it cured my long term addictions, improved my relationships and gave me a connection to Nature and myself which I never had, or lost a long time ago. Lots more - everything really - but those are the headlines.

You teach Vedic Meditation at The Bondi Meditation Centre, what drew you to this style in particular?

It's an extremely easy and effective meditation. Anyone can learn. If you can think you can learn Vedic Meditation. And if you do it twice a day your life will be transformed for the better. Vedic meditation is accesible to anyone, whereas some other techniques are much harder to to learn.

Do you have any wise words for those who are struggling with meditation, or who have felt defeated by it in the past?

Find yourself a teacher and learn Vedic Meditation. It's as easy as falling off a log and will give you the meditation of your dreams.

Outside of meditation, what else do you enjoy doing?

Listening to house music, being a Dad and having a laugh.

Do you have a favourite book, song, movie or quote you would like to share with us?

All You Need is Love

Want to learn more about Matt and the Bondi Meditation Centre?

Read here.

Author: This is Yoga

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Meet our Teacher - Alec Snow

Meet Alec! Alec is one of our very talented TIY gems. He brings his playful, yet calming, energy and passion to each class that he runs. Get to know a little bit more about Alec in our interview below!

What led you to start practicing yoga? What makes you passionate about the practice?

Yoga was actually introduced to me in Acting school. It was given to us as a way of developing a greater awareness of our body. I remember my acting teacher telling me that my relationship with my body was non-existent. As I embodied my practice, what I soon realised was that yoga was much, much more than just trying to touch your toes. It was the doorway to an ocean of ancient knowledge and an invitation into a deeper understanding of who I am.

Do you do any other activities or exercises to compliment your yoga practice?

I love to play guitar and sing. I always find after practicing yoga I sing the best because I’m so relaxed.

How long have you been meditating and do you have a preferred style?

I remember my first meditation was when I was about 6 and it involved holding a yin and yang ball in my hands listening to ‘We’re in Heaven’ by Do. Now things are quite different. I practice a curated blend of meditation that I have come into contact with over the years. Everything from Tantric, Dzogchen, Vipassana, Metta and Stoicism.

How has the practice helped shape you into the person you are today?

Yoga is the discipline in my life that holds me accountable. It gives me both ritual and release. But I think most importantly, it illuminates the invisible, that is essential. It helps me unclench the fist in my mind and let go.

What inspires you in life?

Any chance I get to be creative.

Author: This is Yoga

Want to check out one of Alec’s online classes? Follow the link below!

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Music Therapy for a Better Mood

The way a song can take you back to a fond moment in life, creating new memories dancing and singing with friends, a soothing song when you’re having a rough day, the goosebumps live music can give you. Music can evoke so many emotions and sensations, it can have positive effects on our thoughts, behaviours, feelings and actions. It can be a tool to help support a person’s physical and mental health, as well as overall quality of life. Some of the well-researched areas that music therapy can help improve include;

·       Cognition & memory

·       Speech & communication, respiratory strength

·       Mood, motivation, energy

·       Physical function & coordination

Music therapy can be beneficial for people at any age or stage in life, irrespective of an individual’s ability or background. The blog below provides an insight into music therapy -

Research has shown that music alleviates symptoms of anxiety and depression. As music therapists – we see this every day. These days – my first encounters with clients often bear the marks of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Their faces are drawn, shoulders slumped, and body language closed and tight. They report that they are “okay” or “getting by” – and as we enter into the music together – it never takes long for a shift to occur. The muscles around the mouth and eyes begin to relax, shoulders draw down the back and the body begins to express a sense of openness. There are smiles, even laughter.

“I listened to this song a lot when I first started experiencing depression. It’s different to listen to it now – to see how far I’ve come.”

We know that music impacts the limbic structures of the brain – namely the amygdala and hippocampus – calming the nervous system and stimulating powerful memories and strong emotions. We know that music increases the production of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin in the brain – decreasing cortisol levels and inducing feelings of well-being. For the music therapist – understanding the effects of music on the brain and the body helps us to assess in the moment what the client is experiencing and how we are to respond. For the client – the experience of music, and its impact – are often felt, and more easily expressed – through stories and meaning located in the music.

“Sometimes I think that this artist could have been experiencing exactly what I am now when they were my age.”

Music is one of the ways we mark our passage through time. It accompanies nearly every human ritual and experience – weddings, funerals, cultural celebrations – graduations and birthdays – every experience of celebration and mourning. The soundtracks of our lives and the way we experience music over time often provides us with opportunities to reflect on our own growth and change by connecting to our memories, values, feelings, and community.

“I relate so much to the lyrics – it’s like she’s singing exactly what I feel” 

Hans Christensen once wrote – “Where words fail, music speaks.” Every day, experiences in music therapy prove this to be true. When we are experiencing a downturn in our mental wellbeing – it can be difficult to find the words to express exactly what we feel. Sometimes – we may not even be aware that depression or anxiety are at the root of other experiences such as sleeplessness, loss of appetite, or racing heartbeat. When we find a song that captures our experience so perfectly, we feel seen, heard, and understood. 

“When I listen to this song – I don’t feel so alone.” 

We will look back on this time and no doubt recall it as one of the loneliest times in our history. This is especially true for people experiencing challenges with their health – as hospitals, treatment programs, and care facilities restrict visitation and community engagement to protect the most vulnerable. But the right song, at the right moment – a musical interaction or experience – nurtures connection not only with others but to ourselves. This remains unchanged by distance, bandwidth, or layers of personal protective equipment.

“This song reminds me of someone I’ve lost.”

“Someone I was in treatment with showed me this song – and it got me through that tough time.”

“Whenever I listen to this song – no matter what – it makes me feel better.”

We return again to the human brain and bodies chemical response to music. Dopamine increases motivation, serotonin stabilises mood, oxytocin creates a sense of connectedness, and endorphins reduce pain – both physical and emotional. The result? We feel “better.” More than that – our brains, and the many systems within the body it governs – are functioning more optimally – carrying us forward. But it isn’t just chemistry – it is story, community, connection, memory – all the things that make us human that we miss so dearly these days. All the things that music gives us, without failing.

To me – being a music therapist on the frontlines is about the union of story and science – what we need, what we feel, how we evolve and heal, and who we are – which can all be discovered, expressed, and experienced so fully in music therapy. The role of music therapists on the frontlines is to be a part of maintaining this balance in the organisations and lives of the clients we serve – to approach health, wellness and recovery firmly rooted in both sound clinical evidence and making sense of it all through the stories we find, and tell –  in our music.

Article source: https://www.jbmusictherapy.com/songs-stories-and-healing/
Author: Jesse Dollimont

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