It has been both a powerful and productive year of learning the ins and outs of teaching yoga online. Two years ago, I would’ve never guessed that I’d be zooming with yoga students from all around the world—and thoroughly enjoying it! Learning to teach yoga online has expanded my awareness as a yoga teacher and trainer in more ways than … Read More
In his youth, Swami Kriyananda discovered an amazing law of life – the Power of Expectation. He describes this law in The New Path: I hit upon what was, as far as I knew then, a novel theory: To be lucky, expect luck. Don’t wait passively for it to come to you, but go out and meet it halfway. With … Read More
A friend recently shared an inspiring story of how he overcame his difficulties with insomnia through the practice of Ananda Yoga. Matthew attended our most recent session of Ananda Yoga Teacher Training at The Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation. He openly shared with the group that he had been an Infantry Marine about 10 years prior, and had been … Read More
Overcoming Obstacles by becoming an Ananda Yoga teacher As director of the Ananda Yoga Teacher Training Program at The Expanding Light Retreat, I’m fortunate to meet yoga practitioners of all ages and backgrounds, who have dedicated themselves to a regular practice of yoga and who want to deepen their understanding of yoga as a tool for spiritual growth. During the … Read More
When I first started doing yoga postures, I heard that Yoga would make you taller. Being about 5 foot 2 inches in height, I always liked the idea of growing taller. And although after many years as an Ananda Yoga practitioner and teacher, I still don’t tower above the general population, I can say that at 62 years old, I … Read More
Author: Kyle McDonald Kyle McDonald C-IAYT 2017 Yoga Therapist/ Healing Arts Instructor Children’s Integrative Therapies, Pain Management & Supportive Care Department / Hasbro Children’s Hospital Rhode Island Hospital Cancer Institute Reflecting on my own journey of healing, I know that Raja Yoga, the 8-limbed path, is a lifestyle system, which affects mind, body and spirit and has the potential to … Read More
Winter is a time for comfort, staying warm, and withdrawing from outer activity. Unlike the other seasons, winter gives us the opportunity to stay indoors and take notice of the changes that are needed to create better balance in our busy lives. We know from experience, that when we become overstimulated or overexerted, both our bodies and immune systems reap … Read More
These are principles we focus on at The Expanding Light Retreat and in our Ananda School of Yoga and Meditation for teaching yoga and training teachers. Practice what you teach. Always teach from your own experience and realized knowledge. Constantly draw from this well of inspired, ever-new experience through your own daily, dedicated practice. Always be a student. Study and … Read More
If you haven’t heard about the “30-Day Energization Challenge” that Gyandev launched on October 12, you can read about it and join if you’re interested. This challenge couldn’t have come at a more useful time in my life. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on how poor my Energization practice has become! I’m embarrassed to admit that as a new mother, I’ve … Read More
Dharma, or right action, wrote Paramhansa Yogananda, “means those immutable principles which protect man permanently from the three-fold suffering of disease, unhappiness, and ignorance.” An embodiment of dharma himself, Yogananda explained: “Destruction of suffering involves the permanent elimination of all possibility of any return of suffering.” The science of yoga offers us specific direction in how to uplift our consciousness … Read More
