At summer’s close and into fall, we
can take a lesson, as always, from nature, watching the boughs of the trees gently release their leaves and allowing them to fall to the earth as the parents watch their children head off to college. One of the yoga guidelines (TheYamas) is “Aparigraha” (non-attachment) and it is a recurring theme in life and in yoga. We have all heard it before, “The only constant in life is change” Heraclitus, yet this is what most of us resist. Our Emotional selves love routine and knowing what to expect, however, this may not be the case for our physical bodies, brains and spirit which actual hunger for change and diversity. Alchemy is a process by which our entire being is striving toward betterment through change (transmu- tation). Sustainability - (the buzzword for all things at the moment) - is the maintenance of this change. If you think about your body keeping the same physical routine over and over and over again without change it is likely that eventually you will experience an injury and possible cogni- tive decline.We know this, but we love our routine and our classes and our favorite teachers. Our schedules are what they are because of other commit- ments work, family, etc. However, as an educator there’s and obligation to enlighten, to suggest, to inspire. Many years ago after having my own yoga practice for 30 years, a well meaning instructor changedmy life. Every time it was nearing the end of class she would ask the class to go to the wall and prac- tice inversions and every time guess where I’d go instead? I left the roomand went to the Ladies room. She put up with this for quite awhile and then one day she called me out. With her careful instruction, I did what she was asking, choking back tears and sweating like a beast from fear. And you know what? Thatmarked the first day ofmy new life and I had no idea of the alchemy that had taken place for quite awhile. This particular experience led me to partners acro, aerial yoga, becoming a Certified Unnata Aerial Yoga Instructor, having two aerial dance companies and owning my own wellness center, all because I allowed change in. I had no plan to change, it just organically enfolded but having a plan willmake itmore likely to
a Sustainable Yoga Practice
by Toni R. Chianetta, MS RYT RMT Founder of
Sanctuary Den
happen. Where thoughts go, energy will flow. Speaking of energy, in the most ancient yogic texts the purpose of the physical yoga practice was to connect with Divine energy, now that will create real sus- tainable alchemy from an infinite source. Unfortunately, in our culture this part of the yoga practice has kind of been put in the foreground instead of
forefront.Yes, there are glimmers of it, in most stan- dard group yoga classes. The Aum or OM is that connec- tion as is the breathing and Savasanna. On the mat, if you keep checking in with your- self and use your breathe as a guide, quite naturally this
energy flow will just happen. Notice where you are gripping, or clenching or straining. Go only to the point of sensa- tion not to the point of labored breath. So many of us are rushing from place to place, not even realizing the vast pro- portion of the day that we are in flight, fright or freezemode. Our brains default is this limbic response. We don’t have the shake response that animals have to reset themselves instantly. We need to be lulled into our frontal cortex where our sustainability can be cultivated. Where we canmake love based, not fear based decisions, calm down and allow the alchemy to happen. But how to do it? It was the Savasanna portion of aer- ial yoga that made me fall in love with the aerial
practice.You are cradled, held and supported in this beautiful little cocoon. Other ways to cultivate energy and therefore, sustainability in your yoga practice is to bemindful of it while off your mat. Take a walk, preferably barefoot, really feel the earth under your feet. Lay outside under the stars, feel as though you are being breathed. Get some energy work, acupuncture, Fascial Stretch Therapy, reiki, sound healing. Your individualized plan of alchemy sustainability should include, trying Kundelini and Yin, and experiencing different teachers, classes. If you’ve
The Alchemy of
never had a home practice, start one. If you think you don’t knowenough poses, just try. There is always the Guru of all Guru’s - Google, so you can search to your hearts content. Begin meditation. There are apps, and classes. Find a local group to meditate with studies have shown it’s much easier to be mindful surrounded by the support of a group, engaging in the same practice and the alchemy and sustainability can be very far reaching. “The Maharishi Effect” a positive social/environmental out- come based on coherences utilizing Transcendental Meditation. This hypothesis by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was tested and documented in the 60‘s and 70‘s. It was observed that during the time period while 1% of the local popu- lation consistently meditated, the crime rate declined in the study area by 16%. How’s that for Alchemy? Also if the positive effects can be felt far and wide imagine what it does for the person doing the meditating. Now we are talk- ing sustainability! Look for meet up opportunities as well as sound healing meditations and yogi nidra. Personally, what helped me to keep consistent with meditation was becoming Reiki attuned. During the practice of Reiki similar brain waves occur as in meditation - alpha 9-13Hz and Theta 4-8 Hz which are the frequency for healing, therefore, sustainability. Much luck to you my fellow yogi’s in cultivating a sustainable yoga practice and letting it’s alchemy vibe out into the world.
is a Reiki Master Teacher and the founder of Sanctuary Den (a beautiful little healing hub that is housed inside Flow Yoga NJ in Mahwah) where she teaches Yoga, Aerial Yoga, and offers Fascial Stretch Therapy, Mindfulness, sound and reiki healing and attunements as well as community, corporate events and private parties
Sanctuaryden.com • 201-590-7870
toni@sanctuaryden.com
Toni R. Chianetta,MS RYT RMT
370 Franklin Tpk, Mahwah NJ (inside Flow Yoga)
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