thoughts about Santa Fe…

As many of you know a group of Mala Yoga teachers went to Santa Fe, New Mexico (a.k.a. “the mountain top”) to immerse ourselves in the teachings of the Prajna Yoga System, with Tias & Surya Little. This system is rooted in the classical lineages of Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga as well as Zen & Tibetan Buddhism. As we discussed the Arts of Hands-On-Adjustments and Sequencing, we were reminded daily to find the silence and stillness within. Through meditation, chanting and grounding asana practice we started to move our nervous systems, into the parasympathetic state, or “rest and digest” mode.

Living in a big, busy city like New York, our nervous systems are often in more of a sympathetic state, or “fight, flight or collapse” mode. But this time of year, especially in this heat we are being forced to do what our nervous systems want, which is to slow down. If we don’t slow down, our bodies will over-heat causing agitation and more stress. By slowing down our flow of postures in asana practice and focusing more on the limbs of and Pranayama (breath control), Dharana (concentration) and Dhyana (meditation) we can put ourselves in the parasympathetic nervous system and create an open state of awareness in all our encounters on and off the mat.

Granted it’s a lot easier to slow down and reflect while on retreat in the mountains of Santa Fe, than in a five-floor walkup in the summer heat, in Brooklyn, NY, however, we will continue to keep trying!

Below are a few pics of where we were and what we did in Santa Fe at the Prajna Temple. And if you can’t make it to Santa Fe this year, do not worry –  Tias will be coming to Brooklyn, NY (October 4th – 7th) to teach the foundational work of the Prajna Yoga system. Spaces are filling so please go to www.prajnayoga.net to register for this not to miss event!

the temple

Where we spent our days.

a small bit of the studio

We did our studies in the classroom and at dinner.

twist Britt twist

What's going on in that standing leg?

Surya giving us some pointers.

It’s always a blessing to be able to go away and do such an in depth study of the Yoga practice.  It is not always easy to “go deep” with yourself and the fact that we are so supported by those around us is the greatest gift.  To Tias and Surya and all their wisdom they bestow upon us we bow; to Marcus, Britt, and Kristi for sharing their cars, beds and more importantly their voices with us we bow; to Jeff and Beckett who made us coffee and laugh every day we bow; to the whole Mala community for sharing their passion, knowledge, creativity, experience and honesty we bow, and to each other, we bow.

Much love and gratitude,

Christina, Angela & Stephanie