Āḷāra Kālāma
The life and story of Alara Kalama highlight the necessity of direction in spirituality
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yoga
Honoring the Memory of Sharath Jois:
A Tribute to a Visionary Yoga Instructor The yoga community is mourning the sudden loss of Rangaswami Sharath Jois, a beacon of wisdom and skill in Ashtanga yoga. At just 53, his unexpected departure in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains has left a void that words cannot fill. Sharath was one of the most skilled yogis … Read more
Rough Starting in 2024
This year has been challenging in a new kind of way. Mostly, this is due to a client deciding that they were just not going to pay me for a contract. Right when I was finishing up. It was really disappointing, because I was building this awesome new shed and had finished the framing for … Read more
The Science of Serenity: Yoga’s Impact on the Nervous System and Hormonal Balance
Throughout the last 10 years, I have been attempting to understand and adapt the ancient practice of yoga that was taught to me in Mysore through the lens of modern science. It has also helped me to understand what brought me to yoga originally. Over the course of teaching thousands of students yoga, I can confirm that the benefits of yoga are tremendous and very much understated in modern society. It’s simple; health is declining because it isnt valued. The practice of yoga allows for an individual to realize fascinating and comprehensive benefits for human health and to redistribute their system of valued. Yoga is a way of philosophy.
Shaucha | शौच | purity & cleanliness
Shaucha is the 1st Niyama of Yoga; or the restraints of behavior. This concept that is central to the Indian religion and yoga and is part of what creates a clear and focused mind. It also means a clean body and sets of actions; its implies purity and cleanliness through all of life in a … Read more
Santosha | संतोष | Contentment | Satisfaction
Santosha, the second Niyama of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is sometimes spelled Santosa, is a portmanteau in Sanskrit, derived from Saṃ-prefix (सं-, सम्-) and Tosha (तोष (from root √तुष्, √tuṣ)). SaM-, means “completely”, “altogether” or “entirely”,[5] and Tosha (from the root √tus), “contentment”, “satisfaction”, “acceptance”, “being comfortable”.[5] In modern Californian yoga culture, we say, “chillin” to express this. Contentment is the name of the … Read more
Unlock Your Inner Zen – Daoist Yoga with Elliot
Enjoy this 30 minute Daoist yoga sessions for your major muscles and nerves. Flow with your breath through the sequence and release into your mind. Practice yoga with Elliot! Yoga with Elliot | Episode 3: Beginner/Intermediate Yoga Class Postures (asanas) for weight loss and mental health. You can tell I am a little bit chunky … Read more
Elliot Telford Yoga – Yin Yoga Meditation Video #1
I recorded a little video before my class this Wednesday about what I do when I meditate. Meditating is a great way to clear the mind and relax the body; it can be a great way to take a quick break from work.
What to Expect in Your First Yoga Class
Oooooh how exciting. You have finally devoted some time to your mental health. You researched a little about meditation and the body-mind thing and you’re going to take it a step further. Destiny, your girlfriend has been telling you to do yoga for at least a decade and you are finally giving in; plus your back is killing you and you need to relax from your boss’ bullshit temper tantrum last week. Maybe you’ve done some stretching and yoga videos online and you are ready to get into your first ever yoga studio class. This is a special time. Savor it.