NM School of Yoga

I am weekly asked this question when students come to class without truly knowing what they are stepping into it. “This is the first class I have taken like this. Is it hard? Is it advanced?” “What do we do in this class, exactly?”  I congratulate them on venturing and exploring the unknown. And tell them all will be OK.  Once we are all settled, I begin with a very brief description to ease the mind and calm the body. So, what is Ayurvedic Yoga anyway?  Maybe you have some understanding of what Yoga is and perhaps Ayurveda, but for most Ayurveda is a new term. Simply put, Ayurveda is the oldest system of medicine, and Yoga is a system of philosophy for mind and spirit. The two come together to offer you a therapeutic approach to Yoga. Ayurveda helps [...]

Winter season is upon us and routine, exercise, and diet are changing. Even with the active holiday and end-of-the-year rituals looming upon us, let’s pause and evaluate how to navigate best what is upon us. “Simple and nourishing foods, moderation, and regular exercise go a long way to the attainment of health and longevity.” - Swami Sivananda The truth is we do not need to be fancy in order to maximize our health, awareness and simplicity guide the way. This quote cleverly packs wisdom in just a few words that we can live by. And, finding the middle path often requires an awareness of choices and how they impact your sense of well-being. Ayurveda is often considered to be a science of balance, and moderation in order to establish harmony among the Doshas and Mind. Depending upon [...]

Have you ever felt your physical body is more than just muscles, bones and skin? Are you wondering “is there more?” The mind.  Where is that exactly?  We have a sense of the life force, but is there a model to help us understand more? A teaching that offers a way to make sense of our experiences here on earth is found in the Upanishads and the Vedanta teachings. These ancient texts teach that our reality can be understood from the viewpoint of panchamaya kosha, the five layers of consciousness. Ayurveda and Yoga integrate this wisdom to guide us toward optimum health and well-being. Pancha means five, maya means appearance/illusion, and kosha layer or sheath. Maya is full of what seems to appear before us like an image we see through the darkness of night that looks like [...]

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that brings together two root words to form one: Ayur meaning life and Veda meaning supreme knowledge or wisdom. Thus, Ayurveda is known as the science or wisdom of life. Written evidence dates Ayurveda to 3000 BC making it over five thousand years old; and hence the oldest, uninterrupted system of medicine to be practiced in the world. Rooted in Vedic culture, with references to Ayurvedic practices in the Vedas (specifically the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda), Ayurveda has been healing mankind for thousands of years, yet modern culture is just now waking up to its benefits. Ayurveda’s foundational concepts are based upon the Tri-Doshic theory of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (the three Doshas) as well as Prakriti and Vikruti. Every person is a unique amalgamation of the five physical elements (space, [...]

“Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods. Sleep in forgetfulness of all ill.” - John Muir When the forest is alive and the trees ooze in sap and vitality, my heart sings. My heart instantly feels calm when surrounded by lush green trees and why I simply love the rainy season in Costa Rica far more than the dry. My eternal struggle living in New Mexico and why Jemez Mountains is my reprieve and secret escape from the concrete jungle. No matter where I am, I seek green for solace and tranquility. I have been called the "plant lady" by some because I am surrounded by potted plants in any home I live in. At one point I considered myself the orchid whisperer in the dry landscape [...]

“Happiness is a state of mind, you know. I don't think you are permanently happy. One is happy about certain things and not so happy about others" -Indira Gandhi "Resilience: it’s adapting and responding positively to stress and adversity. The adversity you face may be long-term, like having an alcoholic parent or growing up in poverty. Or it may be a single lightning strike of tragedy—a car accident that claims a limb, an assault that claims your dignity. Even first-world problems require a shot of micro-resilience, like when the person ahead of you snags the last blueberry scone. No matter the scale of your tragedy, resilience is all in how you respond." I grew up singing and to this day loving Gloria Gaynor's song "I Will Survive" .... WHY? Because it is a mantra we can ALL use in our personal [...]

Rest, relaxation and daily sleep all are integral to our health. We often place these at the bottom of our list, yet they are the single most important predictor of so many other successes and overall physical, and mental health. Sleep is a period of self-healing and restoration during which the body replaces important hormones and converts short-term memories to long-term memories. Getting enough quality sleep is essential for maintaining proper physical, mental and social health WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T GET SLEEP? HOW MUCH SLEEP DO YOU NEED? It varies from person to person and season to season. Quantity and quality also matter greatly and should be distinguished.On average anywhere from 6 to 9 hrs is needed in normal healthy adults. In Ayurveda, natural constitution and climate create variability in the range. Basically, how much [...]