The Beauty of Yoga

On May 4, 2022May 4, 2022 By Kim LuyckxIn Uncategorized1 Comment

What has 8 limbs, is 5,000 years old and generates happiness and peace wherever it goes? Well, yoga of course!

Yes, yoga does have eight limbs. One limb for each aspect in the yogic system. These eight different appendages are called: yamas, niyamas, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana & samadhi.

I am going to, briefly, identify each limb one by one so that you can get a better understanding of the full system of yoga.

If you’d like to listen to the information presented here in more detail, tune into my podcast On Wellness Way.

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The Transforming Power of Yoga Nidra

On November 17, 2021November 17, 2021 By Kim LuyckxIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Have you ever attended a yoga class that finished up with an awesome final relaxation pose making you feel totally at peace? If so, then you have experienced a form of Yoga Nidra.

Yoga Nidra is defined as “yogic sleep” but it’s really the state that hovers between wakefulness and sleep.

Richard Miller describes it wonderfully by saying, “In yoga nidra, we restore our body, senses, and mind to their natural function and awaken a seventh sense that allows us to feel no separation, that only sees wholeness, tranquility, and well-being.”

That sounds too good to be true and not that easy to attain, right?

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Live Younger with a Mindfulness Practice

On January 19, 2019January 18, 2019 By Kim LuyckxIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

You may have heard that being more mindful makes you a better person. And, it’s proven scientifically that this is the case. Creating a consistent mindfulness practice will grant you a healthier and more productive life. But what exactly is mindfulness?

According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, “Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” It is the practice of focusing fully on the here and now. In my experience, in order to incorporate present moment awareness into your life, you need to do so gradually. Here is my step-by-step guide to help you move towards mindfulness. Continue reading “Live Younger with a Mindfulness Practice” →

Your Brain on Yoga

On August 25, 2018September 1, 2018 By Kim LuyckxIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

We are blessed with brains that are both practical and mysterious. Although science has thoroughly studied this amazing organ, there are numerous discoveries yet to be uncovered. No wonder it is so well protected and sits up so high!

These last few weeks I have been exploring what I will call mind yoga. The concept of which is cultivated through energy alignment, pranayama and meditation.

In order to truly be aligned, energy should be generated at all levels of the chakric system – from the muladhara or root chakra all the way up to the sahasrara or crown chakra.

In yoga, there are several postures to facilitate and balance these energy centers. Since I have covered most of them in past posts, today I will focus on the uppermost level of the chakric chain.

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What’s Missing from Your Yoga Practice?

On August 11, 2018August 28, 2018 By Kim LuyckxIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Most yoga students begin the practice of yoga to learn and benefit from its physical postures or asana.

It’s the way that I got started. As a former dancer, I was drawn to the slow movements and deep sense of alignment that the poses provided. At that time, I didn’t realize that I was simultaneously tuning into my breath. My first teacher would gently remind the class to inhale and exhale as we stretched and contracted. It felt fluid and natural and my body felt aligned and peaceful at the end of each session. But we didn’t call it pranayama. At the end of class, we took time to close our eyes and sit quietly. We were encouraged to focus on the simple pattern of our breath, the sounds within the space or a specific intention for ourselves. But we didn’t call it meditation. Continue reading “What’s Missing from Your Yoga Practice?” →

Migrate Home with Meditation

On June 4, 2018February 11, 2021 By Kim LuyckxIn Support A Steady Yoga PracticeLeave a comment

“…No matter how far the wild gander flies, at some point it remembers, and migrates back to its home, always at the proper season. In the same way, we as spiritual beings following a spiritual principle must, like the wild gander, remember, and migrate back to our spiritual home…” – Goswami Kriyananda

When I began exploring a meditation practice some years ago, I found it difficult to remain present at first. Who hasn’t? Luckily there are a myriad of techniques available for generating awareness. And, through trial and error, it’s possible to discover a method that speaks to you. In the end, a meditation practice should give you energy, enthusiasm, peace and joy.

Today I am introducing what may be the most effective concentration/meditation technique that I have encountered in my training and practice. It frequently helps to remove the attachments and fluctuations from my mind so that I can focus on my breath and generate positive energy.

What is it? Continue reading “Migrate Home with Meditation” →

Settle Your Mind Mud

On May 28, 2018February 11, 2021 By Kim LuyckxIn Support A Steady Yoga PracticeLeave a comment

dhrana

“Your mind can be compared to a glass of muddy water. If you let the glass stand for a long time, the mud will settle at the bottom of the glass and the water will become fairly clear. So when you sit down for a while to concentrate, your mind is muddy with restless thoughts. But if you sit long enough, repeatedly bringing the wandering mind back to the practice of meditation, you will see that all thoughts settle down; and in that stillness you will feel superconsciousness.” — Paramahansa Yogananda

Our minds are filled with muddy impressions of who we think we should be. We absorb distorted beliefs, like detritus, and allow them to influence us. A lot of times we even define ourselves by this garbage without thinking clearly.

Why do we do this? Continue reading “Settle Your Mind Mud” →

Support A Steady Yoga Practice: The Art of Sitting

On May 14, 2018May 29, 2019 By Kim LuyckxIn Building a Steady Yoga PracticeLeave a comment

“Perfection in an asana is achieved when the effort to perform it becomes effortless and the infinite being within is reached”. – Yoga Sutras.

Learning to sit peacefully with the breath is founded on the postures of yoga. Yoga asana is performed so that the body is able to sit comfortably in stillness. Pranayama or breath control is the fuel that sustains us to stay steady in our bodies and minds.

In the practice of yoga it is important to find a restful seat. Using a wall, a chair or other props to keep your spine upright is suggested if your hips or back muscles are weak or tight. Another method for learning to sit on the floor is to gradually introduce the muscles to the practice.

Here are my tips for crafting a comfortable seat: Continue reading “Support A Steady Yoga Practice: The Art of Sitting” →

Establish A Steady Yoga Practice – Go With the Flow

On October 9, 2017October 8, 2017 By Kim LuyckxIn Establish A Steady Yoga PracticeLeave a comment

“Yield to the flow. It is the most intelligent, fulfilling thing to do. Surrender your best sense of what to do or not to do and trust in the flow of Being.” – E. Schiffmann

Your challenge this week is to take 5 minutes each day to go with the flow by practicing what speaks to you.

You can simply sit and breathe, do one or two yoga poses that are familiar to you, or, if it’s a “down day”, enjoy a relaxation pose like Savasana (corpse pose). The important thing is to go to your dedicated space and set your timer for 5 minutes. Just 5 minutes – no more.

If you are a teacher, try this in class. Allow a few minutes for self-practice prior to the start of class.

Creating a home practice begins with honoring yourself. Continue reading “Establish A Steady Yoga Practice – Go With the Flow” →

Establish A Steady Yoga Practice – Open Your Mind

On October 2, 2017February 11, 2021 By Kim LuyckxIn Establish A Steady Yoga PracticeLeave a comment

“Feel the life force flowing from you and drawing into you from the atmosphere: from the rain, from the sky, from the air around you and the stars and the moon and the sun, and everything that exists that represents energy.” -Rudi

Our “pillar” this week is to do some “mind clearing.”

Each day, take the following steps for Creating a Dedicated Space: Continue reading “Establish A Steady Yoga Practice – Open Your Mind” →