Hello All!
The unfolding of events related to Yoga in the U.S. in the month of February prompted me after much thought and reflection to respond as some are asking about my thoughts.
In response to recent articles in the U.S. publications, NY Times and Herald Tribune, regarding, and I paraphrase, the fall in the popularity of yoga due to the fall of some yoga "titans":
Every couple of decades or so another wake-up call comes from the yoga community at large. And I feel that is just what it is. A reminder that the practice is an internal one, between you and your inner teacher, your Sat-Guru, or your highest most intuitive teacher. It is as well, the relationship you have with your local community, with your teacher and friends who care about you and your well being and the recognition that this special tradition has been passed down for the past 5000 years. This inner teacher that Patanjali went into great detail describing in his Yoga Sutras or Yoga Darshanam has a timeless wisdom. It is here that we can trace back to the roots of yoga. This wisdom has also traveled the world since this time and yoga and hatha yoga is practiced in many forms all over the globe.
Scholars date another ancient text, the Bhagavad Gita , to the period between 200 BC and 200AD. Influences on this text came from Buddhism, Jainism and Yoga. Yoga in all these contexts refers back to Raja Yoga, the yoga of Patanjali based on the science and study of the mind and a simple beautifully written guideline on how we can live a happy life, fulfilling our spiritual potential. Our modern psychology dates all the way back to Raja Yoga. Patanjali wrote the sutras from the intellect, no mention of God is there nor even a verb. The aphorisms were put down rationally and logically, Patanjali's message being, use your intellect, be rational, be logical, don't become dependent on anything. Cultivate independence.
Note: Students, when you choose your teachers, they should know this, YOU should know this.
On Tantra
The exact time when the word tantra came to be used or when its practices were first introduced is unknown. Symbols related to fertility rituals and yoga postures go back to 3000BC. Some tantric rites are based on Vedic practices going back to 2000BC. Tantra also shows the influence of the Upanishads and the Epics. There are early references to tantrism in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain literatures, but tantric practices are older than these texts.
Tantrikas are broadly divided into various sects according to the deities they worship and their rituals. The principle sects are worshipers of Shiva, worshippers of Vishnu or of Shakti. These major groups are divided into sub-sects.
When asked whether Tantra is a form of religion or mysticism, here is the response from Sir John Woodroffe, a pioneering philosopher in this field;
.....tantra is a verifiable experience to the one who seeks; in so far as it is based upon human experience in the very act of living as a source of the amplification of consciousness.....However ephemeral life may me, everything that exists has its own positive dimension. Hence, instead of drawing away from manifested nature and its obstacles, the tantrika confronts them in a face-to-face relationship. Perfect experience results in the experience of the whole, i.e. consciousness as being and consciousness as the power to become.
Because of general ignorance regarding their real meaning, tantric rituals such as sexo-yogic practices which ought not to be confused with yoga postures have been misunderstood and distorted. Some tantric philosophical and ritualistic patterns were traditionally the possession of a few initiates who formed a close circle and who guarded the system with great care, permitting access to none but qualified aspirants.
By the beginning of the 20th century many scholars such as Woodroffe had cleared away the misconceptions that obscured the profound teachings. Tantra has highly elaborate systems of atomic theory, space-time relationship, astronomical observations, cosmology, palmistry, astrology, chemistry and alchemy.
Again from Woodroffe,
The basic tenets of tantra can be explained in either ascending or descending order. From the top, one can start at the cosmic plane, at tantra's precepts concerning the ultimate reality and come down to its notion of creation and of the objective world and finally arrive at its understanding of the human body and its properties and the psychic process which interlink man and the universe.
Conversely we may start from the tangible self and ascend in stages through man-world cosmos culminating in the nature of ultimate reality.
The Tantric Way, Art, Science Ritual
Ajot Mookerjee and Madhu Khanna
published by Thames and Hudson, New York, NY
Yoga arose in the great Upanishadic culture in a time before the concept of a 'holy personality" or any kind of personality for that matter.
It was a wisdom culture that recognized everything as Brahman and Brahman was everything. Joseph Campbell, notes from his lectures.
From this Upanishadic culture, here in the West we have managed to package yoga, trademark and put our own names on the practice to distinguish it from the others.
Doing this has created disparity rather than unity and distracted us from the ultimate union the sages encountered and transmitted to us through these teachings in a way that has truly tested time. This too shall pass. And we can always learn.
On Responsible Journalism and Readership:
I believe in addition to writing responsibly, one should also read responsibly.
Really look up where Hatha yoga came from and don't be satisfied with summaries and cursory explanations.
Consider the authorship and motive of what you currently read.
Ask questions, go to the source for clarification.
In action try to cultivate decency and responsibility and in those actions enjoy the fullness and richness of your life. Enjoy it all. Again, these words come from a timeless wisdom, Patanjali's.
In the end, it's your inner wisdom, the intuition you have cultivated through your practice that is your teacher.
Which ever way you listen and respond to your inner wisdom or truth is the right path for you. It's been distilled in the beautiful expression:
Truth is One, Paths are Many.
On Gratitude
I am still and will always be grateful that beautiful places exist all over the world and are lovingly sustained through the strongest acts of all, service and love.
I have met strong, wise and inspirational teachers there.
On Compassion
I know many fellow teachers are angry and hurting right now and I feel compassion for them and feel sorry for their suffering.
At least, thankfully, the words at the end of Bill Broad's article were these:
But perhaps — if students and teachers knew more about what Hatha can do, and what it was designed to do — they would find themselves less prone to surprise and unyogalike distress.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Detox for Spring
Dear Everyone, (en français dessous)
March is the month we look forward to Spring coming. It's also the month associated with green, budding and new beginnings and if you find yourself restless your mind and body is waking you up from the winter slumber and sending you messages, quite possibly to change some things.
It's also a great time not to just purify the body but to also examine where our thoughts are sitting or stuck and encouraging healthy forward momentum. Purifying our environment, getting rid of old habits and old things that are not serving us anymore is also a springtime tradition. Little things we can do for our practice like cleaning our mat really well and creating a clean space at home and at our work uplifts our mood, too. All these little gestures not only clean the environment but clean psychic space as well.
What else to do?
More workshops are available this time of year and I recommend infusing your practices with more information. I have a detox workshop on March 11, Sunday 13h30-16h30, we will have a vinyasa practice of continuous flow to detoxify the body through asana and nauli. Vinyasa means connected movement, all are welcome and are encouraged to practice at their own pace. Your place is reserved upon receipt of payment for the workshop. Place is limited so please reserve soon. Workshop fee is 45 euros and your check can be sent to the Centre made out to Michelle Jacobi.
Cultivating some kind habits toward ourselves and others. I have noticed more and more that students are coming to class after the start time of the class. All the teachers encourage their students to come early so that you can change, settle into the space and on your mat and even start to warm up your muscles a bit before we begin. This warm up time is valuable for the advanced classes. If you know you habitually run late, please come early and give yourself that time and be kind to those who have come early and on time for the class so that we can all begin together. In rare emergencies when you have to be late please wait outside the door until the teacher can open up a space for you.
I thank you very much for this and look forward to seeing you on the mat!
namaste,
Michelle
Chers tous,
Mars est le mois que nous attendons pour voir le printemps arriver. c'est aussi le mois associé au vert, aux bourgeons et à ces nouveaux départs. Votre esprit va sortir de l'hibernation, et va vous envoyer des messages, très probablement pour changer des choses.
C'est aussi un bon moment pour purifier simplement le corps, examiner là où nos pensées sont posées, et les encourager à aller de l'avant.
Purifier notre environnement, sortir des vieilles habitudes et de toutes ces choses qui ne nous aident pas sont dans la tradition de l'approche du printemps. Il y a toutes ces choses que nous faisons pour nettoyer et faire de place nette autour de nous (maison, travail), et cela réveille notre humeur.
Toutes ces petites choses ne nettoient pas que ce qui nous entoure, mais aussi notre espace psychic.
Comment en faire plus ?
Il y aura davantage d'ateliers cette saison et je recommande vivement de compléter votre pratique par plus d'information.
je vous propose une séance de détox le dimanche 11 mars de 13h30 à 16h30.
Il y aura une pratique Vinyasa basée sur les flux continus pour nettoyer le corps par les méthodes Asana et Nauli. Vinyasa signifie les mouvements connectés. Vous êtes tous les bienvenus pour une pratique à votre rythme. Une place vous sera réservée à réception de votre paiement. Les places étant limitées, réservez-vite ! L'atelier coûte 45 euros ; paiement par chèque adressés au centre acceptés (libellez votre chèque à Michelle Jacobi).
Gardons de bonnes habitudes entre nous et vis-à-vis des autres.
J'ai remarqué de plus en plus que les élèves viennent en classe après l'heure de début de la classe.
Tous les enseignants encouragent leurs élèves à venir plus tôt afin de s'installer, de faire connaissance, et de placer votre tapis pour vous échauffer un peu avant de commencer. Ce temps de préchauffage est également valable pour les classes avancées.
Si vous savez que vous habituellement du retard, s'il vous plaît venez un peu plus tôt et donnez-vous le temps d'être respecteux avec ceux qui sont venus au début et à temps, afin que la classe puisse commencer à l'heure.
Si exceptionnellement et en cas d'urgence rare, s'il vous plait attendez à l'extérieur jusqu'à ce que l'enseignant vienne vous ouvrir.
Je vous remercie tous et espère vous voir prochainement sur votre tapis de yoga !
namaste,
Michelle
Centre de Yoga du Marais
yogamarais@sfr.fr
72, rue du Vertbois
75003 Paris
France
www.yogamarais.com
www.yogainparis.blogspot.com
Tel. +33.1.42.74.24.92
Cell. +33.6.31.91.92.12
March is the month we look forward to Spring coming. It's also the month associated with green, budding and new beginnings and if you find yourself restless your mind and body is waking you up from the winter slumber and sending you messages, quite possibly to change some things.
It's also a great time not to just purify the body but to also examine where our thoughts are sitting or stuck and encouraging healthy forward momentum. Purifying our environment, getting rid of old habits and old things that are not serving us anymore is also a springtime tradition. Little things we can do for our practice like cleaning our mat really well and creating a clean space at home and at our work uplifts our mood, too. All these little gestures not only clean the environment but clean psychic space as well.
What else to do?
More workshops are available this time of year and I recommend infusing your practices with more information. I have a detox workshop on March 11, Sunday 13h30-16h30, we will have a vinyasa practice of continuous flow to detoxify the body through asana and nauli. Vinyasa means connected movement, all are welcome and are encouraged to practice at their own pace. Your place is reserved upon receipt of payment for the workshop. Place is limited so please reserve soon. Workshop fee is 45 euros and your check can be sent to the Centre made out to Michelle Jacobi.
Cultivating some kind habits toward ourselves and others. I have noticed more and more that students are coming to class after the start time of the class. All the teachers encourage their students to come early so that you can change, settle into the space and on your mat and even start to warm up your muscles a bit before we begin. This warm up time is valuable for the advanced classes. If you know you habitually run late, please come early and give yourself that time and be kind to those who have come early and on time for the class so that we can all begin together. In rare emergencies when you have to be late please wait outside the door until the teacher can open up a space for you.
I thank you very much for this and look forward to seeing you on the mat!
namaste,
Michelle
Chers tous,
Mars est le mois que nous attendons pour voir le printemps arriver. c'est aussi le mois associé au vert, aux bourgeons et à ces nouveaux départs. Votre esprit va sortir de l'hibernation, et va vous envoyer des messages, très probablement pour changer des choses.
C'est aussi un bon moment pour purifier simplement le corps, examiner là où nos pensées sont posées, et les encourager à aller de l'avant.
Purifier notre environnement, sortir des vieilles habitudes et de toutes ces choses qui ne nous aident pas sont dans la tradition de l'approche du printemps. Il y a toutes ces choses que nous faisons pour nettoyer et faire de place nette autour de nous (maison, travail), et cela réveille notre humeur.
Toutes ces petites choses ne nettoient pas que ce qui nous entoure, mais aussi notre espace psychic.
Comment en faire plus ?
Il y aura davantage d'ateliers cette saison et je recommande vivement de compléter votre pratique par plus d'information.
je vous propose une séance de détox le dimanche 11 mars de 13h30 à 16h30.
Il y aura une pratique Vinyasa basée sur les flux continus pour nettoyer le corps par les méthodes Asana et Nauli. Vinyasa signifie les mouvements connectés. Vous êtes tous les bienvenus pour une pratique à votre rythme. Une place vous sera réservée à réception de votre paiement. Les places étant limitées, réservez-vite ! L'atelier coûte 45 euros ; paiement par chèque adressés au centre acceptés (libellez votre chèque à Michelle Jacobi).
Gardons de bonnes habitudes entre nous et vis-à-vis des autres.
J'ai remarqué de plus en plus que les élèves viennent en classe après l'heure de début de la classe.
Tous les enseignants encouragent leurs élèves à venir plus tôt afin de s'installer, de faire connaissance, et de placer votre tapis pour vous échauffer un peu avant de commencer. Ce temps de préchauffage est également valable pour les classes avancées.
Si vous savez que vous habituellement du retard, s'il vous plaît venez un peu plus tôt et donnez-vous le temps d'être respecteux avec ceux qui sont venus au début et à temps, afin que la classe puisse commencer à l'heure.
Si exceptionnellement et en cas d'urgence rare, s'il vous plait attendez à l'extérieur jusqu'à ce que l'enseignant vienne vous ouvrir.
Je vous remercie tous et espère vous voir prochainement sur votre tapis de yoga !
namaste,
Michelle
Centre de Yoga du Marais
yogamarais@sfr.fr
72, rue du Vertbois
75003 Paris
France
www.yogamarais.com
www.yogainparis.blogspot.com
Tel. +33.1.42.74.24.92
Cell. +33.6.31.91.92.12
Monday, 6 February 2012
Nouvelles de février
Nouvelles de février
Chers tous,
Je suis heureuse d'être de retour, Je suis restée en bonne santé et ai pu finir la mission. Depuis mon retour j'ai eu beaucoup d'occasions de penser aux bénéfices de mon expérience, ce qui m'a donné de nouvelles idées et m'a ouvert les yeux.
Je reprends mes cours aujourd'hui.
Notre prochaine méditation sera le dimanche 19 février à 17h30. Vous êtes tous les bienvenus.
Nous reprendrons les dîners post-méditation le mois prochain.
Nous avons une nouvelle recrue dans l'équipe des enseignants, elle commencera le 15 février. Si vous pouvez venir à la méditation, elle sera là aussi pour vous recontrer tous.
Suraja est française (Integral Yoga) et pratiquera un yoga de niveau II, les mercredis entre 10h et 11h30.Pour en savoir plus sur Suraja, consultez le blog pour plus d'informations.
En mars je donnerai un atelier spécial détox à l'approche du printemps. Les détails suivront.
Notez bien la date : 11 mars de 13h30 à 16h30. L'ateier coutera 45 euros.
Le 25 mars aura lieu la méditation suivante.
A très vite, et continuez de faire circuler votre énergie : le printemps arrive !
Namaste,
Michelle
February News
Dear Everyone!
I'm happy to be back, I remained healthy and was able to finish the mission. Since my return I've had a lot of time to reflect on the experience which gave me so many new ideas and was eye-opening for me.
I begin teaching this evening.
Our next meditation will be February 19th, A Sunday at 17h30. All are welcome. Next month we will continue with our post meditation dinner.
We have a new teacher on staff and she will begin teaching February 15th. If you can come to the meditation, she is looking forward to meeting you all!
Suraja is French also, from Integral Yoga and will be teaching a level II on Wednesdays at 10-11h30. To read more about Suraja, please see the blog and the newly updated website.
Also for March I will give a special de-tox workshop for the coming Spring, details to follow. Save the date:
March 11, 13h30-16h30. Workshop fee: 45 euros.
March 25 will be the next meditation.
See you soon, keep the energy circulating, Spring is coming!
Namaste,
Michelle
Centre de Yoga du Marais
yogamarais@sfr.fr
72, rue du Vertbois
75003 Paris
France
www.yogamarais.com
www.yogainparis.blogspot.com
Tel. +33.1.42.74.24.92
Cell. +33.6.31.91.92.12
Chers tous,
Je suis heureuse d'être de retour, Je suis restée en bonne santé et ai pu finir la mission. Depuis mon retour j'ai eu beaucoup d'occasions de penser aux bénéfices de mon expérience, ce qui m'a donné de nouvelles idées et m'a ouvert les yeux.
Je reprends mes cours aujourd'hui.
Notre prochaine méditation sera le dimanche 19 février à 17h30. Vous êtes tous les bienvenus.
Nous reprendrons les dîners post-méditation le mois prochain.
Nous avons une nouvelle recrue dans l'équipe des enseignants, elle commencera le 15 février. Si vous pouvez venir à la méditation, elle sera là aussi pour vous recontrer tous.
Suraja est française (Integral Yoga) et pratiquera un yoga de niveau II, les mercredis entre 10h et 11h30.Pour en savoir plus sur Suraja, consultez le blog pour plus d'informations.
En mars je donnerai un atelier spécial détox à l'approche du printemps. Les détails suivront.
Notez bien la date : 11 mars de 13h30 à 16h30. L'ateier coutera 45 euros.
Le 25 mars aura lieu la méditation suivante.
A très vite, et continuez de faire circuler votre énergie : le printemps arrive !
Namaste,
Michelle
February News
Dear Everyone!
I'm happy to be back, I remained healthy and was able to finish the mission. Since my return I've had a lot of time to reflect on the experience which gave me so many new ideas and was eye-opening for me.
I begin teaching this evening.
Our next meditation will be February 19th, A Sunday at 17h30. All are welcome. Next month we will continue with our post meditation dinner.
We have a new teacher on staff and she will begin teaching February 15th. If you can come to the meditation, she is looking forward to meeting you all!
Suraja is French also, from Integral Yoga and will be teaching a level II on Wednesdays at 10-11h30. To read more about Suraja, please see the blog and the newly updated website.
Also for March I will give a special de-tox workshop for the coming Spring, details to follow. Save the date:
March 11, 13h30-16h30. Workshop fee: 45 euros.
March 25 will be the next meditation.
See you soon, keep the energy circulating, Spring is coming!
Namaste,
Michelle
Centre de Yoga du Marais
yogamarais@sfr.fr
72, rue du Vertbois
75003 Paris
France
www.yogamarais.com
www.yogainparis.blogspot.com
Tel. +33.1.42.74.24.92
Cell. +33.6.31.91.92.12
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Return from Benin
I'm back with all the smiles and the thanks for what you gave. Every little bit really mattered and was so appreciated. If you would like to read more I am posting my journal on the yogainparis blog. Go to "en coulisses"
The truth about foreign aid: According to public opinion research, many people believe aid is either stolen by corrupt leaders or wasted on ineffective programs. I was honored to hand deliver and share what I could give to each young child. There is also the argument that aid doesn't work even when it gets to its intended recipients. According to a statement from Bill Gates this week these claims are not convincing. "In the past 50 years, the number of children who die every year has gone down from 20 million to fewer than 8 million. The proportion of people living in extreme poverty has declined by half." From my experience these last few weeks, what we do, give, say and feel matters. All of it. Thank you, Michelle
I'm back with all the smiles and the thanks for what you gave. Every little bit really mattered and was so appreciated. If you would like to read more I am posting my journal on the yogainparis blog. Go to "en coulisses"
The truth about foreign aid: According to public opinion research, many people believe aid is either stolen by corrupt leaders or wasted on ineffective programs. I was honored to hand deliver and share what I could give to each young child. There is also the argument that aid doesn't work even when it gets to its intended recipients. According to a statement from Bill Gates this week these claims are not convincing. "In the past 50 years, the number of children who die every year has gone down from 20 million to fewer than 8 million. The proportion of people living in extreme poverty has declined by half." From my experience these last few weeks, what we do, give, say and feel matters. All of it. Thank you, Michelle
Sunday, 15 January 2012
salut tout le monde d'Abomey
Namaste de Jacques et Roger de Guerison Pranique avec Michelle au
Centre Raviya Abomey. Tout va bien et les enfants apprecient vos dons beaucoups!!!
Chaleureusement, Michelle
Centre Raviya Abomey. Tout va bien et les enfants apprecient vos dons beaucoups!!!
Chaleureusement, Michelle
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
January schedule
Hello Everyone!
The staff is back and all my classes are covered while I am in Africa. I won't be on emails for a while, but if you have any questions or would like to reserve for specific classes, please contact Caroline Dupuy during my absence at:
cdupuy01@gmail.com
The schedule on the blog is up to date and the website will be up and running soon.
My dates away: January 8- February 5.
A joyful and peaceful New Year to you All!
Namaste,
Michelle
Bonjour à toutes et à tous !
Tous mes cours seront assurés pendant mon séjour en Afrique. Je ne pourrais pas consulter mes emails pendant cette période, aussi pour toute question ou pour réserver des cours en particulier, prenez contact avec Caroline Dupuy : cdupuy01@gmail.com
Le programme des cours est à jour sur le blog, et le site sera à nouveau fonctionnel très prochainement.
Pour rappel je serai absente du 8 janvier au 5 février.
Je vous souhaite une nouvelle année de joie et de paix à vous tous!
Namaste,
Michelle
The staff is back and all my classes are covered while I am in Africa. I won't be on emails for a while, but if you have any questions or would like to reserve for specific classes, please contact Caroline Dupuy during my absence at:
cdupuy01@gmail.com
The schedule on the blog is up to date and the website will be up and running soon.
My dates away: January 8- February 5.
A joyful and peaceful New Year to you All!
Namaste,
Michelle
Bonjour à toutes et à tous !
Tous mes cours seront assurés pendant mon séjour en Afrique. Je ne pourrais pas consulter mes emails pendant cette période, aussi pour toute question ou pour réserver des cours en particulier, prenez contact avec Caroline Dupuy : cdupuy01@gmail.com
Le programme des cours est à jour sur le blog, et le site sera à nouveau fonctionnel très prochainement.
Pour rappel je serai absente du 8 janvier au 5 février.
Je vous souhaite une nouvelle année de joie et de paix à vous tous!
Namaste,
Michelle
Thursday, 29 December 2011
New Year's Eve/New year's Day Classes
Hello Everyone,
For all of you who would like to make the time for an end of the year practice together:
Dec 31, 10am.
January 1, 2012, 2pm, to start the new year with good intentions!
Il ya aura des cours ce weekend:
31 décembre 10h00.
et pur le nouvel an 1 janvier 14h00 le cours et mon cadeau.
For all of you who would like to make the time for an end of the year practice together:
Dec 31, 10am.
January 1, 2012, 2pm, to start the new year with good intentions!
Il ya aura des cours ce weekend:
31 décembre 10h00.
et pur le nouvel an 1 janvier 14h00 le cours et mon cadeau.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)