Great Yoga Books - Bihar School of Yoga

I often Love to share yogic quotes or readings in class. Many of which come from one source in particular, the book I often refer to as the Big Orange Book (proper title to be revealed shortly). This book is a Gem! Of course it is, as all of the Bihar School of Yoga (BSY) books are rich in ancient yogic wisdom, yet written and readable for everyone. Bihar School of Yoga states (The BSY) "was founded in 1964 by Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati to impart yogic training to householders and sannyasins alike." Essentially, wherever you are on the yogic path, the Bihar Yoga books are written for you. An integral aspect of the BSY books is they are backed by medical research and the applicable research is incorporated into the relevant books. If you have not already discovered these books, then know when you come across a book with '3 white stripes with a red dot' header that you have found a Bihar School of Yoga book. However, remember that the wisdom within all of these 70+ books are just road maps guiding each of us back to what we already know within..."The inner potential of the individual always exists - yoga merely cuts away the dross to allow it to show itself."

My Favorites books from Bihar School of Yoga:

* A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya

(Big Orange Book)

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/a_and_p.htm#Yoga_Kriya

* Four Chapters on Freedom

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/comm.htm

* Yoga Nidra

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/med.htm

* Kundalini Tantra

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/phil.htm

* Meditation from the Tantras

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/med.htm

* Hatha Yoga Pradipika

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/a_and_p.htm#hyp

* ALL of the Health Management Books

http://www.yogavision.net/pubs/health.htm

Below was read in class, which sparked this blog, taken from the Big Orange Book, "A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya":

Lesson 17

There was once a famous sculptor. One day he was visited by some people who wanted to see his work. He took them to his studio and showed them a number of pieces of stone that had been partly chipped away. None of the stone blocks resembled anything tangible and were far from being beautiful. The visitors were a little disappointed, for they came expecting to see aesthetic pieces of sculpture. Then the sculptor said: "This is where I start work on my creations; now let us go to the next room." His visitors went to the next room and were confronted with objects that were beginning to look more shapely. They were more impressed. Then the sculptor led them to another room and he showed them exquisite works of art. The visitors were delighted and exclaimed that they had never seen such delicate pieces of sculpture. But the sculptor explained that he had not finished work on them; they had yet to be polished before they reached the stage of perfection.

The gradual transformation that the visitors saw in the sculptures is analogous to the transformation that takes place in an individual when he practices yoga. At first his character is gross and unrefined. Something is lacking. Then in time, his attitude towards life, himself and others changes. His sensitivity increases. He starts to radiate that which is already within him. Yoga unfolds the inner being of the individual, in the same way that the sculptor slowly exposes the shape of his works. The shape is already inherent within the stone - the sculptor only cuts away the extraneous material that hides it. In the same way, the inner potential of the individual always exists - yoga merely cuts away the dross to allow it to show itself.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Christy.

Live Fully.

Love Fiercely.

Lila/Play Freely.

www.livelovelila.com

GiveLove.Org

Why I support GiveLove (NGO) :)

Our first chakra right states, everyone has the right to be here, feel safe and secure. When our basic needs are not met or are compromised, our foundation for growth is weakened. When we trust our foundation, roots, family, origin, we feel the necessary support to grow and flourish. Like a tree, the deeper the roots the stronger the branches. When the earth shifts, we may feel a sense of imbalance and possibly fear in that which is ungrounded. Fortunately, we live in a community based society with an abundance of resources to recover quickly from earth-moving events, which may bring a sense of security and safety to our first chakra. The sense of community in Haiti before the devastating earthquake was not well established. Therefore, the first chakra issues that were already present were magnified when the 7.0 earthquake shook Haiti’s foundation on January 12, 2010.

The 2011 non-profit organization I choose to support by offering loving intentions and financial donations is GiveLove. GiveLove is a non-profit organization that provides housing, eco-sanitation, composting, green schools, and love in earthquake-torn Haiti. As love holds the highest vibration, this organization gives back to Haiti through offerings of the heart, tangible resources as well as tools and knowledge for a sustaining future. GiveLove allows Haitians to regain and reclaim their basic right for survival through shelter, sanitation and a sense of community. It is my vision that through GiveLove and our personal offerings that we can raise the vibration as well as establish a sense of first chakra stability in Haiti. GiveLove not only gives to Haiti, it also uplifts my own heart, knowing that their commitment is creating deep roots for a solid future for many living in Haiti at this time. May the silver lining continue to grow and may this love continue to spread.

In 2010, I worked with a GiveLove charity team, L.A. Gives Love, to raise donations for Haiti. The community based event was successful in offering love and raising $3,000 in donations to support GivesLove’s efforts to Haiti. May this video share the feeling of the event. With Love, Christy Evans.

http://youtu.be/fS8l6oKsjmw

Christy.

Live Fully.

Love Fiercely.

Lila/Play Freely.

www.livelovelila.com

Ask and You Shall Receive.

angels.

Stuck. My plan was for my two boys (dogs) to go play while I went to an appointment. But today the Universe wanted to play, Lila. The boys got turned away from daycare because of an expired vaccine, oops! Typical Libra fashion, I left myself no extra time between tasks. My two boys and I sat idle in the car trying to come up with a quick solution: Do I keep them in the car for an hour while I go to my appointment? No, it's way too hot out. Do I rush them home and show up late to my appointment? No, what a waste of everyone's time. Do I take them with me into the appointment? Not if I want to be productive. Do I leave the car running for an hour? Not if I want to risk someone taking them and the car. So, when all else fails (or maybe I should have tried sooner) ask for help! Enter my plea. "Guides, Angels, Universe, I need help. I don't know what to do. What do I do here? How do I play this game?"

I see an emergency vet facility and for some reason I decided there was a solution by going in here? I share my story with the clinician at the front desk. I ask if they administer rabies vaccinations? No. I ask if they can board my dogs for an hour? No. She explains they are an emergency vet and offers apologies. My mind kicks in with an array of emotions of feeling stuck, worried and disappointed. Meanwhile, some quieter aspect of me was feeling a sense of wonder and intrigue about what will happen next? Then the Universe answers back. A familiar face appears from around the back office. Ahh, a supervisor from day care! She saves the day by notifying the front desk at day care to approve Tyde and Yuki despite the expired vaccine! I thanked her and my energetic support system. While hustling to my appointment, I directly ask Archangel Michael to protect and ensure that Yuki behaves at day care (i.e., no biting). He behaved. I arrived to my appointment 5 minutes late. Not bad!

There's more. That same night my husband and I attend a musical healing event. Who shows up there with us? Yup the one and only, Michael. Two of the energy workers informed my husband and I after the healing that Archangel Michael was watching over us throughout the event. Of course!

I get it. We ask for help, we get it. (Warning, sometimes it is not the help we thought we needed.) And I also get that the Universe likes to play too. I find the more we connect, the more agile we become to play the game of life.

Live Fully.

Love Fiercely.

Lila/Play Freely.

www.livelovelila.com

Mukti Class Reflections, 8/7/11.

Thank you Breathe yogi’s and yogini’s for the beautiful practice this morning. As always I learn so much from sharing the gifts of yoga. Today we explored the idea of showing up. How do we show up to each moment. Do we arrive with an expectation? Do we react to the situation? Do we anticipate a reaction or outcome? Yoga asana is a beautiful teacher for life. When we commit to showing up to life, then we accept to letting go of story. When we let go of our story, identifications, judgements, etc. then we can be present to what is actually being shared with us in each moment. The more we cleanse the lens which we view the world, then the more clearly the world is reflected back to us. The greatest gift of yoga is that it will meet you exactly where you are (on and off the yoga mat) and all we really have to do is, you know, show up!

Breathe Los Gatos: www.breathelosgatos.com.

www.livelovelila.com

ECLIPSE SANDWICH & LUNAR CYCLES

An eclipse sandwich, lunar cycles, and how these cosmic phases can influence our personal journey.

Thanks to the three eclipses this month, we are energetically charged for possible sudden shifts, grand insights and major transformations. These cosmic energies are charging the air and space around us and we can choose to access this current or alternately, ‘close our eyes’ and let nature take its course. Either way is fine, but the energy is ours for the taking!

The month started us off with a Solar eclipse on June 1st, supported by a new moon. New moons are known for new beginnings. New beginnings can be in the form of intentions, projects, relationships, challenges, cycles, etc. When a new moon is charged with a Solar eclipse, the energy behind these beginnings vibrate more powerfully. Making conscious decisions and planting specific seeds for new growth is ideal at this phase of a lunar cycle.

Mid-month we will feel an emotional Lunar eclipse, June 15th, supported by a full moon. Full moons are known for reaching our peak, climbing to the top of a mountain, physically and emotionally. From this view, it becomes more clear what we need let go of, which can be in the form of old thoughts, patterns, people, situations, beliefs, emotions, etc. Our vision becomes more clear and we can choose to release unsupportive energies and invite in new nourishing ones instead. Lunar eclipses provide an outlet for a specific and radical release. No fear of course, as this letting go opens up energetic space for new opportunities.

Finally, we conclude this months lunar cycle with another Solar eclipse on July 1st, when the next new moon cycle begins. The phase moving from the full moon to new moon is a time to reflect on lessons learned, share this knowledge and tie up any loose ends. As we move closer to each next new moon, we practice acceptance and trust the decisions we made were the exact lessons we need on our journey.

The lunar cycles are consistent, while the eclipse patterns are not. This month is unique in that the cycles are supercharged with the eclipse energy. Subsequent lunar cycles remain powerful and the same energetic patterns remain potent to our growth: planting seeds, putting in the necessary work, and then letting go with acceptance.

Namaste-

Christy Evans

www.livelovelila.com

Cleansing All of You

As we are living Beings on a breathing Planet, we cannot help but connect to the Seasons; Lunar and Solar cycles; and the Planet’s elements of Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Space that occur within and around us at all times. Energetically, we have recently transitioned from Winter to Spring, hibernation to awakening, whether we are consciously connected to this process or not. Our Body, Mind, Spirit and Soul have their individual blueprints as well as an interconnectedness to move our whole Self toward Harmony with Community and all of Life. Cleansing is the first step in this process of transformation. Nutritional cleanses address detoxification and rejuvenation of our physical Self. In

addition to physical cleanses, I invite the opportunity to allow the cleansing process to move through our subtle layers of Self: Mind, Spirit and Soul.

When we move the cleansing process to the less physical aspects of Self, we become more connected to our authentic Self. Can we let go of imposing thoughts and energetic holdings that are no longer nourishing? Ever wonder why we feel so peaceful after a massage? Massage allows our muscles to release energetic blocks that manifest in the form of knots and allow Prana/Chi/Life Force to flow more fluidly. Massage is a great tool for reflecting and becoming aware of where we are not allowing energy to flow physically in our Body and possibly in our Life. Similarly, how great do you feel after taking a Yoga class? Our Yoga teachers guide us to regain the reigns of our Mind through Intention, Breath and Body movements. We go back to those great teachers and classes because we value the importance of cleansing the Body as well as the Mind and Spirit. There are many activities we do that have awakening potential. The more we cleanse our whole Self, the more every experience is a transformational tool toward Nourishment and Harmony.

I invite you to continue the cleansing process. Explo

re the more subtler aspects of You:

• Sit, Be, Breathe. Maybe this starts as a forced task, to sit, be stilland just breathe for a few minutes a day. The more this is repeated the less force you will put in and the more flowyou will receive.

• Play. Allow yourself to enjoy the simple pleasures in Life. Once a week (or more), do an activity just for you because it is Fun and you Love doing/seeing/feeling, this experience!

• Visualize. Before you go to bed (or before you get out of bed in the morning), close your eyes and go inside and Smile at every part of You: head to toe, muscles/tendon/ligaments, root to crown Chakra, every cell and all of the water and space that makes up You.

• Feel. Take a deep breath in and exhale with your mouth open as many times that feels appropriate, repeat often. Feel for any places of holding or tension and allow this stagnant Energy to release on each exhale, Invite fresh Energy to refill all aspects of You.

With Gratitude~

Christy Evans, M.S., CCC-SLP, 500-RYT

www.livelovelila.com

MORE ABOUT NUTRITIONAL COACHING & CLEANSING WITH MICHELLE BUTLER, CHHC, AADP, RYT, CAN BE FOUND HERE: www.yogimichelle.com

All we need is Love.

What if everything we'd ever hoped for came true? (Insert your own happily ever after here)

Conscious Living, Community Thriving, Charity Offering, Peace Vibrating, Global Awakening, Love Inspiring, Light Shining, People Uniting, Aura Illuminating, Thoughts Uplifting, Bodies Healing, Breath Expanding, Friends Encouraging, Family Supporting, Asana Flowing, Meditation Glowing, Planet Evolving, Earth Nourishing, Air Purifying, Water Cleansing, Joy Reaching, Future Inviting, Solar Recharging, Lunar Restoring, Chakra Balancing, Energy Clearing, Words Comforting, Adults Playing, Youth Gaining, Dreams Manifesting. 

No Fear. LOVE Is All We Need.

Picture taken at Miami Intl. Airport.


www.livelovelila.com

The Lucky ~ Lila

St. Patty's Day - 'The Lucky' Irish Day!

What better day to share a story that I love so much from one of my amazing teachers, Dr. Douglas Brooks. This story and explanation of the word "Lila"deepened my understanding of the seemingly simple word which actually has multiple layers of meaning. To keep it short and sweet: Lila means 'to play.' However, Lila is in relationship to Karma (cause & effect) and the Universe. This story gives examples of both Karma and Lila in action. Enjoy.

Johan Museeuw a Flemish speaking Belgian cyclist won the 2000 Paris-Roubaix race. Following the race he was interviewed in English about his victory. This is Johan's explanation of his victory with interjections by Douglas Brooks: "Today I was the best (Karma). Today I trained the hardest (Karma). Today my team did everything right (Karma). Today I took the right move (Karma). And right then at the critical moment I did the right thing (Karma). But, today I had "The Lucky" (Lila)."

I hope this story translates the playfulness of Lila. It is this playfulness that inspires me to live each day to the fullest and 'funnest' :)

Tango. Vino. Gaucho.

Argentina ~ Think Tango (Buenos Aires), Vino (Mendoza) and Gaucho (Patagonia)!

Not your typical honeymoon of resort or water bungalow hibernation (which sounds amazing). Rather, 5 flights in 12 days - covering only half of Argentina. Each destination offering a completely different vibration. So much to learn through travel - here's what I discovered on our journey through Argentina:

Buenos Aires - Strong city with deep roots. Safer than it appears. Spanish speaking city with European flare and an Italian influence. Shopping is catered toward Men (at least in Palermo). Lots of buildings and concrete, but balanced nicely with tree-lined streets. A typical meal is Meat with Meat and a side of Meat! So this non-dairy, fish eating, organic vegetarian was a real complicated customer - But everyone was happy to accommodate! Phew! Hotel recommendations: Legado Mitico & Home Hotel. Restaurant recommendations: Capo (dinner) & Baraka (lunch).

Mendoza - Wine Country (but don't think Napa) about 30 minutes outside of downtown Mendoza. Snow packed Andes Mountain range is the common backdrop at these wineries. Malbec is 'The' wine of Argentina. My not-so-sommelier description of a Malbec wine - fruit forward, full body, simple (not complex). I'm more of an 'earthy' wine drinker, but that didn't stop us from bringing home 8 bottles on the plane, 6 bottles shipped and a year long wine club membership, Oops! Argentine Vino Trivia: Only around 10-30% of the wine produced in Argentina is exported - ie, Argentinians make it to drink it, mmm! Hotel Must: Cavas Wine Lodge. Wineries: Mendel (Amazing), Achaval Ferrer, Catena Zapata, & Melipal. Restaurant: 1884 Francis Mallman. Oh, and if you want to build your own vineyard, you can - prices start at $180,000 - hmm? Contact, The Vines, if this is your vision.

Patagonia: Gaucho region - Earth workers & Cowboy terrain. Villa La Angostura & Bariloche is where we got lost in exploration. These two parts of town are on opposite sides of the amazing Nahuel Huapi lake (think Lake Tahoe but bigger). Beautiful deep turquoise lake surrounded by lushious green mountains. My favorite place in all of Argentina was on the water at Las Balsas in Villa La Angostura. The skies are are so blue, air is so fresh, water is so peaceful and the energy is so full of life. I had an amazing energy balancing session - crystals on my chakras, tibetan singing bowls resonating from head to toe, and reiki energetic clearing. The healer spoke only Spanish and me, un poco, at best. However, we both spoke the langue of energy. Hotel Must: Las Balsas & El Casco. Activity Must: Horseback Riding!

Oh - don't forget - Siesta is no joke! May as well take an afternoon nap - because thats what everyone else is doing! Yes, drink tea/coffee around 5pm (17:00) because dinner doesn't start until (at least) 9pm (21:00)!

Argentina has inspired me to grow in the following ways:
* Horse back riding lessons
* Learn functional Spanish
* Incorporate more swimming
* Develop my own energetic clearing techniques
* Cook with Love
* Art exploration

If anyone wants to join me with developing in any of the above ways - then let me know! Life is more fun sharing experiences!

Ciao~

Live~Love~LiLa

More photos of this trip can be viewed on my Facebook page :-)

Welcome to my Blog

It is with gratitude I begin the blogging journey. Over the past year, my life has expanded tremendously. From getting married to moving to a new city to starting my own yoga therapy company, it has been a wonderful journey! I am happy to have you along for the ride.