SYBILLE:

When i moved East London about a year ago i was determined to find a yoga teacher that would suit me. Even though i love practicing yoga on my own in my room under the roof, i also love following a teacher and feeling the energy of a group class.

After trying several places and teachers, i went to Alessandra’s class at Yogahome . I can’t say i instantly loved it as i came from a different style of Yoga and found it quite hard. Something got me hooked though. Something in Alessandra made me want to jump on her “yoga train” as she said later to me. There was a sort of presence in her that i felt i should try to follow…

 As i entered Alessandra’s house i felt like going into her world. And her world at the moment is rather busy! Taking care of her son is her Sadhana (yoga practice) these days. I got the impression that Yoga is present in Alessandra’s entire life.

me, my son and GAnesha

 S: Tell me about your Yoga journey.

         A:  My Mom was a Yogini. In Italy at this time she was considered as a bit marginal, but she did not mind, she worked hard and yoga was something that she discovered and it accompanied her all along her life. She was very interested in the devotional and philosophical aspects of it. So i guess i have always been surrounded by that, even unconsciously.

I started doing tantra and Kriya  yoga. I was initiated by a swami when i was 20.

Then i discovered Ashtanga Yoga which i took as yoga therapy. It helped me recover from a serious injury. I studied with Patthabi Jois in Mysore, Matthew Sweeney and others.

Then slowly i moved to Vinyasa flow yoga. I first met Shiva Rea in London in 2004 and her approach instantly talked to me. This is the style of Yoga i now teach.

S: I am intrigued by Kriya yoga, can you tell me a bit about this experience?

       A: I  studied Kriya Yoga for several years under the direct guidance of Swami Kriyananda (direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda) both in California and in Italy. Kriya is Yoga for the householder of the 21st century and consists of Karma , Bhakty, Meditation, Pranayama and mudra asana that have been passed down from generations by the great Siddhis (Saints) of the Himalayas. It is a technique of very powerful pranayama (breathing exercises) that works on the chakras. It moves Prana (life force) and can be very uplifting. The asanas are simple and gentle.

S: How did that practice made you feel?

     A: To be honest, i really liked it and found it fascinating. At 20 years old i was initiated by a Swami. This is quite a big thing, believe me and i am not sure i was old enough to go through all this. As well as being wonderful, it made me feel very UN-grounded. The funny thing is that most people these days start Yoga from a physical aspect with the Asanas, and then the spiritual side can come (or not). But for me it was the opposite. And i have to say i was not always so happy. I felt like i could not relate to other people of my age. I could relate very well to 50 years old people though, but it made me feel apart. I would meditate every day, mornings and evenings. It was a fantastic and also difficult time.

S: What made it so difficult?

    A: Don’t get me wrong, i felt very blessed to experience such a thing, however, i felt like it had made me ready to leave this life, i felt like i was on another plane. I think i felt like i was too young to be like that, i had a whole life in front of me and i was very ungrounded and isolated.

S: Did the more physical Ashtanga practice helped you then?

    A: Not only did Ashtanga help me recover from an injury, i think it also helped me to ground myself. My husband also played a very important role and i realised that Yoga had to be applied to my life, be part of my life but not necessary taking over everything and making me feel isolated and ungrounded. That, i feel is the real challenge: to incorporate yoga in your everyday life.

S: You studied in Mysore and with loads of great Ashtanga teachers, then you discovered Vinyasa Flow yoga with Shiva Rea. It seems like it was a revelation, a practice you could relate to a lot.

   A: Yes, Ashtanga has been wonderful for me. However, in my personal experience  i am not sure i could practice it right now,  at the moment i need to preserve my energy to take good care of my family! Well, i am sure some women find it works well for them . But you know, i am talking for myself, and i practiced it a lot and loved it. It’s just that my Yoga journey has continued and brought me to teach about discovering the flow of prana (life force) .

S: It feels like you have a strong connection with Shiva. Can you tell me what you like in her practice?

   A: Shiva is like a wild animal, she really is in touch with nature, wilderness. She brings you back to real life and teaches how to apply Yoga to your own life. There is no rigid rule. It is all about being connected to yourself and finding your own path and your own way.

S: Can you tell me about your teaching?

     A: Teaching makes me happy. I need space and time though to get inspiration. That is why i try not to teach too much.

In my classes i include movement that gives freedom. I really like people to find their own “dance”, their own rythm. I like using music to uplift, or calm when needed. Some parts of the practice are very cleansing (kriyas) and liberating. Each class is different. I try to have a different focus each week. There is no rigid rule about a series of postures, it’s more about flow. I like to include some partner work as well sometimes.

I also like to incorporate some philosophy, usually at the end of the class when people are more relaxed and their ears are more open.

S: Thank you Alessandra for our conversation.

Before i left Alessandra’s house, she showed me her beautiful Ganesha Statue.

I felt very inspired by our conversation.

The Kriya Yoga subject definitely aroused my curiosity and i want to learn more about it and the energy body. For those of you who are interested, Alessandra recommends to read Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda.

 My next encounter will be with Ann Malone, Hang player singer songwriter and sound healer…

A Bientot!

Sybille.

Prayag, Allahabad (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of three holy rivers – Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati
Haridwar (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) where the river Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas
Ujjain (in Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of shipra river
Nasik (in Maharashtra) on the banks of Godavari river.

The pilgrimage occurs four times every twelve years, once at each of the four locations. Each twelve-year cycle includes the Maha (great) Kumbha Mela at Prayag, attended by millions of people, making it the largest pilgrimage gathering around the world.

 Kumbha Mela has a lot of significance for people in India; a stuggering number of pilgrims gather to bathe in holy waters. That gives them an opportunity to liberate themselves from the sufferings and wash away all their sins. Kumbha Mela is believed to have the largest congregation of ascetics, yogis, sadhus, sages and common men living on the planet Earth. People from all across the country assemble here to observe this famous Mela, but very few are aware about its origin & history.

The mythical Kumbha Mela 2010 has started on January 14, 2010 and will end on April 28, 2010. Millions of people come from all over the world for a holy dip, during Kumbh Mela.

Kumbha Mela derives its name from the immortal “Pot of Nectar” described in ancient Vedic scriptures known as the Puranas. Kumbha  means ‘pot or pitcher’. Mela means ‘festival‘. Thus Kumbha Mela literally means festival of the pot. Or in this case a festival celebrating the appearance of the pot of nectar.

The ancient origin of the Kumbha Mela is described in Vedic literature as the search for the nectar of immortality . It is said that the demigods and the demons assembled on the shore of the milk ocean that lies in the celestial region of the cosmos. The demigods and the demons made a plan to churn the milk ocean to produce the nectar of immortality. They then agreed to share the nectar equally once it was produced.

For the task of churning the milk ocean, the Mandara Mountain was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the rope for churning. As the churning began, the Mandara Mountain began to sink deep into the ocean, at which time Vishnu incarnated as a great tortoise and supported the mountain on His back. With the demigods at Vasuki’s tail and the demons at his head, they churned the milk ocean for one thousand years.

 The churning of the milk ocean first produced a deadly poison which Shiva drank without being affected. That gave Shiva the attribute of NilaKantha ( the one with blue throat). As Shiva drank the poison, a few drops fell from his hands and were licked up by scorpions, snakes, and similar other deadly crea­tures. After Shiva drank the poison, numerous opulent items were produced. First a surabhi cow appeared, who could yield unlimited quantities of milk. A white horse named Uccaihsrava was then produced, as well as a white elephant named Airavata. Then a valuable gem called the Kaustubha-mani appeared.

Next came the apsaras, beautiful dancing girls, and a host of other wonderful things appeared from the milk ocean. At last a male person named Dhanvantari appeared carrying the pot of immortal nectar in His hands. Seeing Dhanvantari with the pot of nectar, both the demigods and demons became anxious. The demigods, being fearful of what would happen if the demons drank their share of the nectar of immortality, forcibly seized the pot.

Wherever the demigods went with the pot of nectar, fierce fighting ensued. The battle went on for twelve consecutive days and nights, which was equivalent to 12 human years. In an endeavor to keep the nectar from falling into the hands of the demons, the demigods hid it in four places on the earth, P rayag (Allahabad), Hardwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. These are those four points or locations, where Kumbh Mela festival is celebrated four times in every 12 years. At each of the hiding places, a drop of immortal nectar spilled from the pot and landed on the earth. These four places are since believed to have acquired mystical power.

Eventually, the demons overtiful woman, Mohini-murti, and approached the demons. When the demons saw the charming beauty of Mohini-murti, they lost all composure. Seeing Her slender hips, raised breasts, and pleasing smile, the demons completely forgot about drinking the nectar of immortality. While the demons were thus bewildered by Her beauty, Mohini-murti seized the nectar and returned it to the demigods, who drank it immediately

In coincidence with the vernal equinox ( the arrival of Spring,  literally when night and day have equal lenght ) we also have the occurrence of the Hindu festival Navaratri, literally 9 nights , celebrating  Shakti in her manifestations as Durga , Lakhsmi and Saraswati (*). 

Ganesh Lakhsmi Saraswati

  During the calendar year Navaratri is celebrated 4 times, more or less corresponding to the change of the seasons ( equinoxes and solstices). This is a time to profoundly reconnect with the Motherly Energy of the Earth, Shakti, the power lying at the base of the spine and in the very core of the planet. It is a time for reflection, cleansing, meditating , releasing the past and planting new seeds for the future. The festival of Navaratri is closed by a tenth day of music , parades and dancing to acknowledge the victory of Maha Shatki ( the divine feminine energy ).  

Chaitra Navratri is celebrated at this time of the year, as the name indicates is observed during the Chaitra month (March – April) in a traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India, on the first day of the waxing phase of moon in Chaitra Month or the day after. Chaitra Navaratri 2010 begins on March 16 and ends on March 24.  

Maha Durga

Here below find Living Practices to tangibly reconnect with Maha Shakti at this time of year.   

Chanting of kirtan for the divine mother in the form of Durga-Kali, Sri Lakhsmi and Saraswati.
Chanting with Japa Mala 18-27-54 or 108 rounds of the mantra Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche  

 or mantras for the different aspects of the Goddess:  

Om Dum Durgayai Namaha,  

Om Shrim Maha Lakshimaye Namaha,  

Om Aim Saraswataye Namaha while meditating within your heart upon  

Fasting in a way that is appropriate for your system is also traditionally part of Navaratri.  

Days 1-3 (Tuesday -Thursday) Purification of Inner and Outer Obstacles on the Spritual Path (Durga Shakti)
Days 4-6 (Friday – Sunday) Worshiping the Healing Beauty and Abundance of Maha Lakshmi
Days 7-9 (Monday-Wednesday) Awakening the Divine Wisdom and Creativity of Saraswati Ma
Day 10 Victory of Shakti  

Hope you can find the space and time in your Sadhana to appreciate this transition in divine tune with the Eartly energy.  

Namaste’ ALessandra  

(*) I offer a “Goddesses” workshop once or twice a year if you are interested in deepening your connection with these aspects of Maha Shakti

I honour Ganesha Ganapathi, the elphant-headed God, remover of obstacles. May he protect our journey into the new decade! JAI 

Om GAM Ganapathaye namaha.

As we find ourselves immersed into the energy of 2010 we continue to ascertain the fact that time is flying faster. So our body-mind has to be light and prompt  to be able to respond to that stimulus. As we become more and more interconnected through the wonders of global communication we either fry or completely open up and let this total shower of information wash over us. 

More and more we become aware that we are multi dimensional living beings. It is important to find methods and tools that help us stay balanced in times of great change. In a definite manner we perceive that we live in the horizontal plane ( our daily life in the wake state ) as well as the vertical plane ( spiritual state, the capacity to operate from or connnect with our divine nature ). Yoga comes to our rescue.

Our daily yoga sadhana ( practice ) is that time of intersection between Earthly and Heavenly planes. When unrolling our mat and doing asanas, or being in somebody else’s service,  we are grounding and connecting with the powerful healing energy of the great divine Mother Nature. On the other side time spent in silence,  sitting still watching thoughts go by, chanting, praying , to cite only a few examples, are more subtle activities that uplift us toward the realm of  the great divine Father Sky. It is important to keep a balance between earthly-grounding and uplifting-inspiring actions during the day so that we can learn how to keep our vertical connection Earth-Sky while we live in the Horizontal direction ( wake state). 

May Ganesha bless our journey of unfoldment in 2010. Let’s open up to our fullest potential, embrace new possibilities and bring our deepest desires to the light.

Gopura ( tower ) at the main entrance of the Virupaksha temple, Hampi India

Virupaksha temple is the oldest and the principal temple in Hampi, Karnataka India.

This temple is located on the south bank of the river Tungabadra. This area in general has been an important pilgrimage centre for the worshipers of lord Shiva. The very origin of Hampi’s history as a sacred place revolves around the myths associated with this temple.

It is believed that this temple has been functioning uninterruptedly ever since its conception in the 7th century AD. That makes this one of the oldest functioning temples in India.

  According to Tantra and Ayurveda (the science of life) our body is a microcosm that reflects the order of universe – macrocosm. Therefore our Sadhana (personal practice) should reflect the seasonal changes.

As ever the first principle you should respect in your Sadhana is honour your level of energy. How do you feel today, are you feeling tired and depleted or are you enthusiastic about some projects that are still in their embryonic phase? Once you have assessed your present state choose between the Introspective or the Invigorating Sadhana.

Begin by setting a special place in your house for your practice, where you will not be disturbed. If possible set an altar, choose some objects that remind you about your connection with Source. Take for example the picture of an illumined one, a Saint or an icon, or the picture of your beloved ones. You can add objects that have a special meaning to you, like a stone that you have collected during a sacred trip, or have been given to you by someone important. Dedicating a little time every day to practice is better than practicing every once in a while and for longer.

Start by sitting by your altar. Light a candle to connect with your inner sacred fire, set your Sankhalpa (intention for the practice).

I will only list the poses that you should include in your practice and omit the part when you link them together in a Vinyasa style. I will also give you an intensification for some poses (normally where you see INT stands for INTERMEDIATE).

If you are feeling meditative and contemplative then try the:

Introspective Sadhana – Lunar Practice

This is a heart and hip opener practice. Let go of chaturanga dandasana and replace it with either knees-chest-chin on the floor pose or with Anahatasana – from cat pose stretch your chest and arms to the floor.

Start in Supine Baddha Konasana, extend the arms overhead, interlace the fingers and press the palms of your hands away from you. With momentum come to sitting and stretch forward, keep the fingers interlaced and keep pressing the palms of your hands away from you. Repeat for a few rounds and when you feel ready to come up to standing do so by rocking on your back , your knees bent and either side of your body. From this pose roll forward to squat. Rock back and forth a few times so to massage all the vertebrae of your spine.

Take 3 or 4 a few rounds of Classic Surya Namaskar that consists of a cyclic uninterrupted flow of the following asanas:

Tadasana , urdhva Hastasana,  Uttanasana ,Anjaneyasana – low lunge, Ardha Chandrasana , Adho mukha Svanasana, Astanga NAmaskar , Bujangasana , Adho mukha Svanasana, Uttanasana, urdhva Hastasana,  Tadasana.

Standing postures: Trikonasana (INT. Baddha Trikonasana), parsvakonasana (INT. Baddha Trikonasana), prasarita padottanasana (Hasta Variations: Prishta Anjali mudra, Fingers interlace arms overhead), Malasana in prasarita with hands in Namaste.

Take the following hasta (hands variations) in Low and high Anjaneyasana and Vira 1: sweeping the arms overhead and bending slightly backward, with hands in reverse Namaste, with hands in garudasana.

Standing backbend followed by uttanasana.

Pigeon: bend forward and backward in a wave movement inhaling come up and exhaling fold. Hold both postures then for a few breaths.

Hip Mandala in Downward facing dog. When transitioning in down dog from your Vinyasa and before entering the next pose take the following hip opener: Lift R/L leg to the sky as you inhale. As you exhale bend the knee in to the chest and as you inhale rotate the knee out to the side in a circular movement.

Supta Virasana, supta ardha virasana. Ustrasana. Balasana (Child pose)

Close with a series of forward bends/hip openers. Start in hanumanasana INT or janu sirsasana.BaddhaKonasana. Sukhasana or Padmasana bending forward. Hold this last series of postures between 10 and 20 breaths.

Close by sitting in Sukhasana or Padmasana and practice Nadhi Shodana for 9 or 18 rounds.

Have a nice long rest lying flat on your back in Shavasana.

Make yourself a cup of lovely chai sweetened with honey! Enjoy

Whenever you are more energetic here is a practice to suit you:

Invigorating Sadhana – Solar Practice

If you are feeling cheerful and joyful I suggest you try this Virya (heroic) practice:

Standing uddhiyana Bandhasana: stand with feet shoulder width apart, bend slightly forward keeping the arms straight hold yourself up by pressing your hands just above the knees. This is an ideal place to practice the tilting of the pelvis and the connection with your Bandhas (internal contractions of the pelvic floor and lower abdomen)

In Standing Uddhiyana Bandhasana practice 3x Agnisar Kriya, followed by Uddhiyana Bandha with Bahir Kumbaka (retention of the breath on empty)

4 /6 x Surya Namaskar

Core strengthening, leg raises (alternate knees bent or straight legs, shoulders and head off the floor so that the abdomen contracts).

Handstand – practice by the wall or with a partner supporting you. Take a little rest in prasarita padottanasana with your back against a wall as you come down.

Standing poses: trikonasana, parsvakonasana, vira 2, parivritta trikonasana, parivritta parsvakonasana in lunge, utkatasana, parivritta utkatasana.

Arm balances: bakasana, parivritta bakasana  INT, eka pada koundiniasana INT.

Counterposes for the shoulders: Anahataasana, uttanasana with arms overhead fingers interlaced

Close with supine uddhiyana Bandhasana (bridge pose taken dynamically, inhale raise the hips to the sky, exhale come half way down), followed by urdhva Dhanurasana.

If you have more time for a cooling inversion take a gentle shoulder stand (take any leg variations after 25 breaths).

Have a nice long rest lying flat on your back in Shavasana.

As you come back to your senses come back to sitting and practice gazing at the flame of the candle, without blinking, until your eyes are lubricated by tears. This is called Trataka.

Make yourself a cup of ginger/lemon tea and sip it very slowly! Enjoy

Namaste

Alessandra

Marlene Smits and Teodora Racheva, two lovely Shaktini , have just launched  Omnitom, a gorgeous yogawear  line.  They have asked me to become one of their ambassadors, they call ma a yoga- angel!

Omnitom is offering three lines for yoginis: Prana Power, Chakra Chic and Embrace. Please check their website to have a look at the softest organic cotton and most joyous colourful line of yoga clothes.

In the past few years i have completely shifted from wearing black outfits when teaching or practicing. I have noticed that my energetic level has incredibly benefit from that simple gesture. The desire to wear something colourful and cheerful it’is not a  pure act of vanity. It aligns our subtle centres (chakras) with the colour we are wearing, and so it can help us raise or lower our vibration!

If you haven’t done so yet i invite you to try, as a monthly sadhana, let go of the black and start playing with the other hues of the rainbow. Explore , be creative and playful on all dimensions, not only the inner but also the outer planes!

As i go along with my research i like to add pieces to the jigsaw.  As you probably know we human beings are not the only living organisms with Chakras.

Chakras , that are energetic vortexes, are present in animals as well as in plants and even planets and stars have chakras!

Our beautifulf planet Earth has Chakras too. Definetely Earth has a strong MULADHARA ( base chakra ). As you know we always connect with the Earth when we send our energy deep down at the base of the spine and through the legs and feet into the planet beneath. We call that “grounding”.

In general though Earth has other chakras too. That’s how we relate to them:

The base Chakra MULADHARA is particularly active in the presence of VOLCANOS – preferrably active volcanos, volcanos are portals from deep into the Earth to the surface.

Connect to the sacral Chakra SWADISTAHANA at or near the Ocean, especially the Pacific Ocean.

The fire centre MANIPURA, you can connnect with Manipura in sunny spots like deserts.

ANAHATA where male and female energy are balanced , sacred places like temples and churches where people have prayed and lived in Harmony.

VISHUDDI where water flows, waterfalls.

AJNA on mountains where you can connect with Space and Spirit more easily.

SAHASRARA portals to the galaxy and other dimensions.

Next time you travel somewhere take a moment to align your field with the energy of the place. It’s such an easy way to balance your chakras… enjoy experimenting.

NAmaste’

“Now is the time.
The body is the vehicle.
Consciousness is the driver.
Yoga is the key.
The Chakras are the map.”

~ Dr. Anodea Judith

NAMASTE!

We (me and another 70 yogis/yoginis) have just shared yet another amazing time with inspiring Shiva Rea in London this week, onboard of the Fluid Power vinyasa wave.

Last Sunday, the 21th June, was  Summer Soltice and we have celebrated with an auspicious Lakshmi puja (a devotional ritual dedicated to the goddess of abundance and prosperity) so that we enter with grace and an open heart in the next coming cycle-wave of our life, performed by Shiva Kumar.

Shiva has then lead us into a Trance Dance…  link to VIDEO coming soon!

Stay vibrant , positive and connected to the beautiful sun energy. As we reach solar maximum at the solstice i feel an inner urge to bow down to the divine order inherent in Nature. It is a very special time of ripeness and a great chance to make a seasonal review of your life. Where are you at, what is it that you want to bring in the new season, what is it that you release and let go of? After you have set your intention remember to honour your fluid body by keeping well hydrated !

Om Jay Summer!

Namaste

Alessandra

Shiva and Alessandra on Summer Solstice