Mysore Phoenix Blog


Why Practice?

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about why I practice. It’s been so long that it’s hard to remember why I practiced at the beginning. I know I loved the poses. I loved the physical practice. And I still do.

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Asana Sadhana

The first sutra says asanas should be still and comfortable. Here are some other words for stillness: steady, stable, motionless. And here are some other words for comfort: sweet, enjoyable, relaxed, ease.

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Changing Your Mind. Literally.

The second yoga sutra says, “Citta vrtti nirodha.” This is commonly interpreted as meaning that yoga stills the fluctuations of the mind.

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Shala etiquette: Shhh!

Today I want to talk about talking. Or, rather, not talking. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika mentions six things that destroy practice…

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How Does Yoga Arise?

Does yoga arise because you get adjusted in a posture? Does yoga arise because you can make a bind or balance on your head or hands? Does yoga arise because you read about or know a lot about yoga? Nope. It takes ongoing daily practice.

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Moon Day Note to Mysore Phoenix Practitioners

I am so pleased and proud of how hard everyone is working. One of the things I love about this practice, which is demonstrated to me by Sharath in Mysore year after year after year, is a strong work ethic. Humble, honest, hardworking. These aren't characteristics that...

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Letter to New Practitioners: Challenge Yourself!

When I was first learning Ashtanga yoga, I often challenged myself to focus on different aspects of the practice. Sometimes it was a one-day challenge, sometimes a weekly challenge. I might focus on breath or bandhas or a certain transition.   The first challenge...

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What Yoga *Really* Is

We live in a fast-paced, capitalist society, where we are encouraged to consume goods and services and experiences and -- yup! -- spiritual practices. If you think yoga is about poses or adjustments or alignment or bliss, there's a good chance you've been sold a bill...

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ASHTANGA: PARAMPARA – KAREN KELLEY

Karen, what was your life before finding yoga? ​ Life before yoga involved the arts -- drawing, drawing, and more drawing, all through childhood and high school, visual art as an undergraduate (sculpture, specifically) and creative writing (poetry) in graduate school....

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Mysore Phoenix Scholarship Program

I suppose I can't rail about daily practice without recognizing that an obstacle to practice with an authorized instructor might be lack of funds. If a student sees value in instruction and practice, I want to make that available. The Mysore Phoenix Scholarship...

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First rule of Ashtanga Yoga

You know how there’s the first rule of Fight Club? There’s also a first rule of Ashtanga yoga. No, it’s not “Don’t talk about Ashtanga yoga.” It’s “Ashtanga is a daily practice.” Yeah, that sounds daunting. Who in the world would start off a yoga practice with a...

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