Do you know the oxygen mask theory?

That announcement flight attendants say when you are on an airplane waiting for take off. “In the event of a loss of cabin pressure, put o your oxygen mask before you help others.” If you don’t help yourself first, you risk not being able to help anyone else who needs it. If you don’t take care of yourself, you are in no position–physically, mentally or emotionally–to take care of others.

Learn the basics of an integral part of Restorative Yoga practice, and how to fold blankets for a deep restorative practice with a pioneer in the field of Yoga Therapy. Slow it down, soothe the nervous system and foster a practice of mindfulness. Cora has a program that focused on therapeutic applications, observing the body for misalignment, finding ways to support the student and addressing specific issues.

This practice of Yoga has transformed life in many ways, and the most of which is to move with the breath, to allow life to flow. This year I listened to my own advice and took some time off of teaching, and gave myself permission to take time and rest. To not teach, or blog, or spend any time telling people where and what to move their bodiesIve now spent more than half my life teaching yoga.That is a lot of time to commit to something.

It is said that on the spiritual path, when a yogi has reached a level of awareness, they can choose their time, date and place of death. Death has no power because there is the necessary awareness within to leave consciously. That final moment of transcending the limitations of the physical body happens only once, and it's the last action of our life.

The purpose of Yoga is to see the mind clearly and to draw it away from attachment to sense objects. It is stressed the mind must be trained so well, it can deliver the soul from the mire of ignorance.In material existence one is influenced by the mind and sense perception.

An intelligent and balanced practice provides the automatic nervous system with new information, which can act as an antidote to the effects of stress symptoms. Savasana acts on the nervous system, and allows time for the body to integrate these messages into the neuromuscular system.

Medical institutions and leading health organisations have tested the efficacy of Yoga in clinical trials for cancer treatment and rehabilitation, heart disease, PTSD, metabolic syndrome, addiction, asthma, arthritis, epilepsy, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain syndromes including low back pain and repetitive strain injuries.

Breast cancer is particularly close to my own heart, as everyone in my maternal lineage had a battle of one kind or another with breast cancer, and I myself am on a list of very highly susceptible. Given that my family were all raised in China, with a traditional diet, this is a highly unusual statistic. Breast cancer in traditional China in my great grandmother's day was considered very rare.

My first Yoga teacher Rodney Yee introduced me to the formal education of Yoga, and the following teachers have been my guide:Erich Schiffmann who inspired in me the complete Joy of Yoga Judith Hanson Lasater for stimulating curiosity to explore the depth of Yoga wisdom Patricia Walden for embodying the grace and beauty of Yoga Ramanand Patel for introducing me to a deeper subtle body alignment Angela Farmer for helping me embrace my Feminine self

I have always been fascinated by different cultures and how they intermingle. As a multi culti masala mix myself, Ive been interested in how people from different parts of the world see things, and how that is similar or dissimilar to the way I was brought to see things. And in travelling around the world for most of my life, Ive found there are more similarities that there are differences. Perhaps this is why I always believe we have a chance to promote peace on this planet by learning about our neighbours in other cultures.

I noticed years ago, even before I did yoga, that people in the West can’t squat as easily as Asians. Is there a different angle in the hip or joint that makes it easier for us to squat than our Western brothers and sisters? Is that something from childhood, or is there a physical difference? Are we built structurally differently? Will that effect how yoga poses are accessed in the body?

Shiva Yajur Mantra, or the Karpur Gauram Karunavtaaram is one of the most famous mantras. It is a Sanskrit Shloka related to Lord Shiva and a popular aarti in Shaivism. The mantra is found in Yajurveda, one of the four canonical texts of the Vedas.

Therapeutic Yoga focuses on working with mental and physical conditions. It utilises yogic techniques including posture, breath work, meditation and pose variations created for a unique need and/or individual. Therapeutic Yoga is particularly helpful for recovering from, or living with, injury or illness. 

The Gayatri Mantra is one of the oldest prayers known, and appeals to the highest wisdom; to illumine an understanding of our true nature. The appeal requests that we become subtle and receptive to the divine wisdom that pervades life and is the essence of Self.