Jane Tuma is deepening her life on many levels. Her love and commitment to a yoga practice came from her desire to find a solution to her stressful job as a CPA. In an article from YogaChicago resource guide, we learn about Jane Tuma and her journey from CPA to Iyengar Yoga and to Presbyterian minister. (more…)

To lift my spirits, I sing. And this month - with mercury in retrograde and the fire season in California and a summer of strange and wobbly changes that have affected my bank account, my health and my confidence - I’ve been singing a lot! (more…)

Having participated in an all-night meditation and chanting session in honor of Sivaratri, gave me plenty of time to reflect on and wonder about Siva energy. (And when I say “all-night”- I mean from 9pm - 6am)!
First, let me explain what Sivaratri is and why I participate in this annual “night of Siva.” Siva (also spelled Shiva) is often described as the ultimate yogi in deep meditation. He is painted with long flowing hair (of the river Ganga) and coiled snakes embracing him. Stories about Siva portray him as both a devoted ascetic who renounces the world and then with Parvati and their child, Ganesha. (more…)

I’ve written previously how devoting my breaths to the Durga mantra, Lakshmi mantra and Saraswati mantra has affected my life. (See my blog entries on Navaratri for September 23- October 2, 2006). (more…)

There are two ideas here: mantra practice and yoga practice. One may include the other, for example, OM is actually considered a mantra and you’ll frequently hear the sound of OM at the beginning and end of a yoga class. Perhaps you’ve also heard of or participated in chanting the Lakshmi mantra or Siva mantra. (more…)

Meditation, in yogic practices, is not usually given as much explanation time in beginners yoga classes as guidance on the positioning and alignment of asanas. In fact, many of the explanations used by yoga teachers actually arise from Buddhist meditation techniques. Partly this is due to the fact that Buddhist practices have more written material available - having been developed and maintained through Buddhist monastic traditions.

So what’s the difference and isn’t it all just meditation anyway? (more…)

The tenth day of the navaratri (which means “nine nights”) is known as Durga’s Day of Victory.  Celebrated differently in various regions in India with dancing, puja, food, visits and festivals, it marks the end of Durga visiting us in this realm. (more…)

Saraswati is beloved by schoolchildren, poets and musicians.  Anywhere there is this transmission of inspiration, knowledge and information.  She resides in libraries, bookstores, amongst artists, performers of art and ceremony and scholars.  (more…)