Bow Down Yoga with Sofi Dillof, advanced certified Jivamukti instructor

Conscious Holiday Shopping

“Each action, every choice we make as individuals and as members of communities, affect the world in which we live. ......  In fact, we determine our shared future by the actions we take and choices we make in the immediate present, today, right now, wherever you are....... We must look deeply into our own hearts, beyond our conditioned minds, to find what is really valuable to all. And then, to bring the value of Love into the communities to which we belong.”
- excerpts from an essay written by Sharon Gannon, co-founder of Jivamukti Yoga

This holiday season lets make sure that we give from our hearts, not from our conditioned minds.

Here are some shopping tips:

Of course it's always a good idea to shop locally for planet/animal friendly products for friends and loved ones (here in Burlington there are certainly some shops worth or checking out such as Lunaroma, and The Lotus Shop )but in case you can't find what you want or if you are, like me, less inclines to deal with the holiday crowds and displays of over cosumption...... here are a few site that you might want to do your shopping at.

http://www.veganstore.com/misc.-accessories.html
http://www.veganpeace.com/HolidayShoppingTips/holidayshoppingtips.htm
http://store.greenfeet.com/index.asp?&utm_source=Yahoo_Search&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=green_shopping

But, giving shouldn't just extend to those whom you are close to, or even just to humans.

Why not give a cold dog with no place to keep warm a dog house this season ....

https://ebiz.isiservices.com/peta-e/peta/donation.asp?section_code=H07W174Q&ask4=--265-530-1325

or help out by donating a gift to a non profit like Vermont Greyhound

Remember ... your actions matter, they always have.

Yoga and Pregnancy

Dear Sofi,

I am in my first trimester of pregnancy, and so far have been continuing my usual yoga practice without any difficulty.  Do you have any advice for poses that should be avoided or practiced more regularly?  Thank you!

Be well,
Laura

Dear Laura,

I think it is always a good idea to attend some prenatal Yoga classes during the beginning of pregnancy to have specific questions addressed. Here is some general information regarding Yoga and pregnancy.

During the first trimester the Yoga asana practice usually does not need to be modified. It is important not to practice pranayama techniques (breathing exercises that involve controlling and holding the breath) but rather just focus on smooth, deep, even, inhalations and exhalations through the nose. As your pregnancy progresses you may find you need to ease of of deep forward bending and twisting. Here are some poses that may help ease the discomforts of pregnancy and prepare the body for childbirth:  standing  straddle forward bend, seated straddle forward bend, triangle pose, squats, cat/cow vinyasa, bridge/half wheel pose, shoulder stand variation (with block or legs up the wall).

A couple of great Yoga pregnancy books are:

Yoga For Pregnancy, by Judith Lasater and Bountiful Beautiful Blissful... by Gurmukh

I hope this is helpful to you.

Love,

Sofi

 

A remarkable person

Sofi is a remarkable person. One of the qualities I find most fascinating about Sofi and her teachings is her rare ability to integrate her own growth and introspection into her work. She doesn't simply teach the same class over and over. Sofi is constantly drawing upon a genuine interest in a profound energy we all share. I feel a sincere gratitude for her insights and how they help shape my life and work.

- H.B. Burlington, Vermont

Yoga and weigth loss

Dear Sofi,

I have a of question. Have you found yoga helpful for losing weight? What sort of regularity would you recommend to achieve weight loss?

Love, Sujatha 

Hi Sujatha,

Yoga makes all the internal systems operate more efficiently so it helps with the digestion and assimilation of food as well as keeping the appetite under control. Yoga also helps to make us much more aware of our bodies and the food that we put into them. After practicing you might find that the body only craves a healthy, non processed, vegetarian diet.

In these ways Yoga helps with weight loss. Also, depending on the type you practice Yoga can be physically rigorous (though not necessarily an aerobic work out) and will burn off calories as well.

If you're going to classes you can start with 2 days a week and try to do some on you own at home in between. If time and finances permit you can increase you class attendance as you feel ready.

The more regular you are with your practice the better!

Love, Sofi

Jivamukti Yoga Podcast 'Secret Prayer'

This hour and a half Jivamukti Yoga class is an introduction to this month's focus, "Secret Prayer". We will be exploring Sutra #46 from chapter 2 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: "Sthira Sukham Asanam " which means, our seat, or connection to the earth, should be steady and joyful. When we can relate to the world around us in this way we will be better available to serve others. We will begin to move beyond our egos and to one day experience Yoga, the realization of Oneness.

Click here to play this podcast or right click (control click apple users) to save to your desktop.

You can also download and subscribe to my podcasts through iTunes!

If you have a minute after the class, leave a comment on this post and let me know how it went for you!

Jivamukti Yoga podcast 'Ahimsa' - nonviolence

"Ahimsa - non violence" is a full hour and a half Jivamukti class. It Begins with chanting and an opening talk followed by an hour asana class, relaxation, and meditation.

If you would like to chant along, here are the words we will be chanting today:

Om Trayumbakam Yajamah
Sughandhim Pushti Vardanam
Urvar-ukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Muksheeya Manritat

                                and

Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu

Click here to play this podcast or right click (control click apple users) to save to your desktop.

You can also download and subscribe to my podcasts through iTunes!

If you have a minute after the class, leave a comment on this post and let me know how it went for you!