“Some yoga classes have stood out for me as being truly life-changing. This class is one of those. I can overdo the doing part of my life, I am learning the beauty of SLOW”
Nothing prepared me for Mindfulness Based Long Slow Deep Yoga
So What is Long Slow Deep Yoga & the Koshas in Yoga , how does this help with anxiety, to slow down or just to have a clearer mind and more reliable intuition ?
A Mindful Walk Through the Koshas of The Body
(This was sent in by a Qualified Yoga Teacher, Somatic Psychotherapist, Energy Medicine Practitioner who has just completed Long Slow Deep Teacher Training)
The experience of both learning and teaching LSD has been instrumental in bringing together aspects of my work as a Somatic Psychotherapist, Yoga Teacher and Energy Medicine Practitioner. My passion is the interconnection between body, mind and soul.
To begin with, learning LSD was both challenging and heart-opening. As a new yoga teacher, still finding my teaching style
I found that being immersed in the LSD training with both highly skilled as well as new teachers (and everything in between) provided me with such a rich experience of teaching styles. This was so exciting and clarifying for me. Nothing prepared me for my first LSD class with Tammy. I was gently led through the 5 koshas – through my body, breath, mind, wisdom and spirit. I felt more deeply embodied and at peace than I had in a long time and knew this practice was priceless in today’s world of constant stimulation. Two hours passed effortlessly.
I have struggled with anxiety for most of my life and tried many forms of natural therapies and western medicine. I have found that through consistent yoga, meditation, mindfulness and breathing practices, I am now able to identify and manage my anxiety when it arises in a way that is healthy and nurturing for my body/mind/soul.
I understand the 5 Koshas to be:
Annamaya (our physical body)
Pranamaya (our energetic body/breath)
Manomaya (our mind, emotions & nervous system/mental)
Vijnanamaya (our inner knowing/wisdom)
Anandamaya (bliss)
I was at first captivated by the deep embodied sense of presence that I felt from my LSD practice (Annamaya). I am familiar with various breathing practices through my yoga training and also my somatic psychotherapy training. Bringing my awareness of the power of the breath into my LSD practice has allowed me to surrender more deeply to the practice (pranamaya / breath work ), which in turn has a powerful calming effect upon my emotions and nervous system (manomaya).
I have struggled with anxiety for most of my life and tried many forms of natural therapies and western medicine. I have found that through consistent yoga, meditation, mindfulness and breathing practices, I am now able to identify and manage my anxiety when it arises in a way that is healthy and nurturing for my body/mind/soul.
My practice of yin and LSD continually allows me to drop deeply into my inner knowing and wisdom (vijnanamaya). My daily practices on the mat have far-reaching consequences in daily life. I notice that my mind is clearer – my intuition is reliable. Often I find myself “knowing” things without knowing how I know. I put this down to my deep spiritual connection and my devotion to my practices, which are not negotiable for my well-being. They nurture my mind, body and soul every day and allow me to continue to grow and become more of myself, leading to more connection and joy with others.
I often find myself in moments of absolute bliss (anandamaya) – in my relationship, in nature and with my animals – and sometimes in very unexpected places. I have a lot of energy and can easily overdo the “doing” part of life. Through yin and LSD I am learning the beauty of SLOW, of turning within and observing my mind’s parade. In an LSD class, I have ample opportunity to observe intimately the moment to moment changes and my desire to either come closer or move away from my inner experience. I can slow my body through long slow deep asanas, and still find my mind racing ahead.….activating manomaya kosha, which I notice affects my breath (pranamaya). In this place, it is more difficult to access my inner knowing. I am learning more and more to bring myself back to the present moment, and release the need for speed.
I continue to learn and grow through the practice of yoga and in particular yin and LSD. I love being in my temple, surrounded in silence, with my yoga mat outstretched. It is a reminder to return to myself and my knowing. It is a reminder that my inner wisdom is always available – even in the distractions of modern life.
I am learning to trust myself more and more and also to trust my body, which has been such a powerful experience for me. When there has been trauma, often the body becomes an unsafe harbour. I feel I have learnt to love my body through these practices.
Becoming aware of each of the Koshas and their interconnectedness has helped me to bring together all of the different layers of my experiences. I notice more and more when I am not present and allow curiosity to help bring me back. I am far more loving towards myself and in turn, to others around me. I am able to observe more of what emerges for me, through my meditation and yoga practice.
In my classes, I have found that my personal experiences have enabled me to speak from an authentic place, allowing the ancient yogic teachings to be meaningful in current times. I know that we all seek freedom, peace, joy and connection – and enjoy bringing this knowledge to my students.
Yin and LSD classes provide such a beautiful open space to continue to teach mindfulness to my students. I witness the subtle differences in each of them between when they arrive and when they leave and
this affirms to me that this is my heart’s work.
I am continually humbled by the power of yoga, meditation and mindfulness to change my life from the inside out.
Find out more about MINDFULNESS BASED LONG SLOW DEEP YOGA TEACHER TRAINING
Find out more about MINDFULNESS COACHING TEACHER TRAINING
* Our Next Feature LSD Yoga Class on the Sunshine Coast with various teachers – click here
Find out more about L.S.D Yoga Feature Classes
- Contact us to find out where they are being held for your area support@yoga-nrg.com