Brahmacarya Pratisthayam Virya Labhah 2.38

As Valentine's day quickly approaches and our national media bombards us with every bit of tantalizing advice on how to manage romantic relationships, we decided to focus on the fourth yama within the yoga sutras, brahmacarya. Sri Satchidananda has translated this sutra as "By one established in continence, vigor is gained." Or in other words, by getting established in celibacy, we save energy. As you can imagine, this particular yama can sometimes cause quite a stir.

Sri Satchidananda goes on to explain that by observing celibacy we store not only physical energy, but mental, moral, intellectual and eventually spiritual energy. This stored energy gets transformed into ojas and eventually becomes tejas which is our auric glow.

As yogis, we try to lead lives by example, which means we effect others by our state of being. Just think of how someone's attitude can effect you or even an entire room of people. Sometimes we can feel the negativity radiating off of someone when they enter the room. Now image how your attitude can have that same effect. In order to give energy we must have energy to give. If we are depleted, then our aura, or our attitude, may appear to others as negative or deflated. This in turn can create strained relations with the people we care about. 

At this point, you might be saying, I'd love to have more positive energy to bring into my relationships, but celibacy....that doesn't sound realistic. Fortunately, TKV Desikachar proposes a different approach to this sutra that might be more appealing to our modern sensibilities. His translation of sutra 2.38 states, "At its best, moderation produces the highest vitality." Nothing is wasted by us if we seek moderation in all things. Too much or too little of anything creates imbalance. A life in balance brings out the best in all of us.

Now that may seem simple, but we can attest that after 19 years, balance is still a tricky thing for us. All kinds of relationships can suffer if the people involved have their energy stores depleted or one person constantly gives energy while the other absorbs energy. One thing yoga teaches us, is that our work begins within. If our tejas is glowing brightly, there's a good chance we'll effect the others around us in a positive way.

Namaste,

Anelyn and Stephen

(with Cordelia and Lucien)

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"Celibacy is not just a matter of not having sex. It is a way of admiring a person for their humanity, maybe even for their beauty."

-Timothy Radcliffe

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Teachers  Bodywork Teacher Training

Newcomer special $59.00 for 30 days of unlimited yoga.

this weekend 4/11    4-6pm

Yogacarya Module 3 (pranayama) begins begins 2/19.

Valentine's Partner Yoga & Thai Massage

Lorrie Shepard and Brian Yuen

Saturday February 11 4:00pm - 6:00pm

$20 per person before 2/9, $25 after

Join us this Valentine's Weekend for a special afternoon of Yoga Love

Enjoy time together moving playfully through partner asanas, stretches and massage. This is a perfect time to create, deepen and sustain connection with verbal and non‐verbal dialog in partner yoga. Then be guided through a deeply relaxing and revitalizing THAI MASSAGE. Bring your sweetie or Anyone else in your life!

Come prepared to have a great time No experience necessary, suitable for everyone .

Brian Yuen – RYT and a certified AcroYoga and Thai Yoga practioner.

Lorrie Shepard – RYT and a certified Restorative Yoga teacher.

Brian and Lorrie are the co-founders and co-creators of Interactive-Yoga.

To register for this workshop, click here.

Damian's Silent Yoga class will be changing to Yoga Level 2. Unfortunately, Damian will only be able to teach the class until the end of February due to his ongoing studies with the Yoga Life Society. The class is still scheduled for 6:30 every Tuesday.

 New Massage and Bodywork Rates have been posted on the website. These changes go into effect this month. To see the changes click here.

Module 3 (Pranayama & Asana) of the Yogacarya Teacher Training begins on Feb 19.  If you'd like to take the class for credit or in you're simply looking to learn more about breathwork in yoga, contact the studio for more details.

Vrschikasana  - Scorpion

This posture resembles that of a striking scorpion.

This pose is practiced in two variations. Firstly, it is practiced on the forearms, as in Sirsasana. The more advanced pose is practiced on the hands as in Hand Stand. Both forms of this pose require a great deal of strength, grace, balance and openness in the chest and shoulders.

Erin teaches every Thursday Morning at 9am.