On The Rocks

Harmony

For this episode Robbie and Colin are guests along with return guest Maria, to discuss harmony. Harmony is a concept in music as well as in life. Does knowing about harmony in one area help you understand and create harmony in another? 

How does Balance relate to Harmony? Are parts of a system in balance a form of harmony, or does there need to be an aim, a goal, a higher purpose to really experience harmony? Even when we get it right, our harmony may be dissonant - sounding or feeling or creating something that might sound clashing or unresolved. But just as there is a resolution to dissonance in most musical pieces, there will be a return to pleasing harmony in our own lives and we can help that along with some regular spiritual or yogic practices.

We also think about what harmony means in architecture and yoga, as well as music, to further appreciate that harmony may not be everything sounding perfect, ringing true all the time.

One of the most important factors in creating harmony in our own lives is listening - being aware of ourselves and what we might be contributing to the systems in which we are involved - whether that be the systems inside yourself, or your part in your family or community.

Career Changes

Career changes can be very stressful and switching roles can, at first, be challenging. That's what we find out when Colin switches roles with Matt, this week presenting On The Rocks. Matt is a guest with Gilles, long-time teacher at Yyoga.

Gilles recently decided to focus more on yoga teaching, a change he may have resisted. Matt definitely resisted all the signs that a career change was necessary most recently. That made him, and those around him, suffer. Why do we wait so long to take action when we know a change is inevitable?

How can your practice help you plan and execute career changes? Are there specific practices that are going to help, or is it more about relying on the grounding a regular personal practice gives? How do we let go of security of the past, let go of resistance in the presence and let go of the perceived insecurity of the future.

If we are not what we do for a living, how can we learn who we really are? Can we build a sense of self built on ideas other than what we do for a job?

Escapism

This week Robbie, Colin and Monica talk to Matt about Escapism. When does imagination and daydreaming become a problem with escapism? Usually it's when we use escapism to avoid facing problems or other situations in our lives when we should be resolving them head on. But a little escapism can be useful when trying to see a better you, or a better world.

Is there escapism in our yoga practice from time to time? It could be, if we are not sincere in our intentions and why we practice. Balance, mindfulness and moderation are again the watchwords when examining your own escapist behaviour. And what better methods are there to find and maintain this balance than a mindful, sincere yoga practice - not just with asanas on the mat, but all the practices that help us to be right here, right now.

Dharma

For this episode Matt talks to Maria Männistö in Seattle, about Dharma. It's a concept with many meanings, many aspects. Right action and right path are perhaps the most helpful translations, but "Duty" is also an important aspect of Dharma. But not the kind of duty that is all toil and no joy.

After sharing her inspiring introduction to yoga and becoming a teacher, Maria shares with us some ways in which we can assess if we are taking right action. Rather than look at "right and wrong" we can instead see if we are making a discerning decision and following the light of dharma in us all. 

Dharma and Karma are so closely related that we often have to consider them together when looking at our own lives. As we will have to face up to the consequences of all our choices, making them in line with dharma is going to be better from a karmic perspective.

Is the dharmic path the same for all of us? Are there even multiple paths for each individual? Is there dharma for yogis as a group, or the planet as a whole? Maria has some reflections on all of these ideas.

Yoga, Service and Activism

In this episode Matt chats to Erica Lutes about service and activism. Before the pandemic Erica was involved in the prison yoga project (https://prisonyoga.org) where, before she began any training, they examined the difference between helping, fixing and service. Many of us may think we are engaged in service to humanity but in reality we are fixing or "helping", neither of which will ultimately work.

We cannot all teach yoga in prison, so how do we serve in our families, communities and society as a whole? And what do Yogis think about activism? Can we be involved in service and activism without judgment and without really being attached to the outcomes of either? 

The Purpose of Yoga

Colin and Robbie talk to Matt about the purpose, or purposes of yoga. Definitions take you some way in understanding the purposes of yoga, including reaching the state of yoga in equanimity, even Samadhi. Yoga helps you distinguish between the real and the unreal and refines your awareness. 

Why do people start a yoga practice? For many reasons, apparently and most of them are good. After some time the reasons why we do yoga and the benefits we feel will change. We have a little debate about whether you find yoga or it finds you - but we all agree when you're ready things will all fit into place. 

Find out why we talk about roller coasters and bicycle rides and the difference between freedom and liberation. 

And by the way: It's the red pill!

Resilience

Yin yoga teacher Eeva Tella shares with us her thoughts on resilience - something we have all had to develop over this last year, to cope with less interaction and being confined to the smaller places we are usually happy to call home.

What techniques can we use when we need to call upon resilience? The mindfulness technique called R.A.I.N. is simple to remember and use: Recognise, Allow, Investigate and Nurture. And whilst we are all going to feel pain, we don't always have to suffer. 

Rise and Fall

Four Yyoga teachers discuss "Rise and Fall", first focusing on what success and failure mean to them. Developing a spiritual yoga practice is not going to stop you falling, but it will help you rise easier afterwards. 

Are failures as bad as they seem when they occur?  They have potential as teaching moments and show we were not afraid to try. Find comfort and a way out through study, thoughtful reflection and getting out into the great outdoors! And remember, help is all around.

First Steps: Starting Your Journey

Colin and Robbie talk to Matt about starting journeys - including spiritual journeys. Where do you start? What do you take with you? Should you travel alone? Is the journey really more important than the destination, or is it all about the detours we take when heading for a big goal?

On the way they fight procrastination, look for the right map and avoid false starts.

On The Rocks: Introduction to Yyoga's Podcast

As the Spring arrives it's a good time for new beginnings. Yyoga is launching a podcast to compliment your asana practice. Helping you with a spiritual practice, "On the Rocks" will develop monthly themes designed to help you think beyond the yoga mat.

Why "On the Rocks"? Apart from it being your favourite way to take a drink in the summer, it can also signify being in trouble, alluding to ships running aground. And of course it's also what we sit on and chill after a class at Yyoga.