Yoga Inspiration

Every one of us must ask ourselves, sometimes more than once: what is yoga?

By definition, yoga means unity - but what do you want unity with? More specifically - are you seeking this unity consciously or unconsciously?

To clarify, it's not important whether you are conscious or unconscious of your spiritual journey.

Rather, it's important to recognize your spiritual quest as just that - a journey.

The unconscious seeker may take longer to reach a revelation, but the conscious seeker risks the ego getting in the way of their growth. That's why it's important to learn the historical context of yoga and apply the methodology of yoga to your practice.

I'm discussing the history of Patanjali's teachings and the dichotomy in his yoga sutras to teach us how to find this unity.

Prakriti and Purusha are the dichotomy at the center of Patanjali's teachings. Prakriti - the phenomenal world - is our material world, the ephemeral where the only constant is change. On the flip side is Purusha - the noumenal world.

Purusha is the singularity that exists independently of our sense and perception; it is that oneness we seek within ourselves and with our universe. According to Patanjali, the Purusha within us has agreed at some moment to forget what it is.

We have forgotten who we are, and the oneness within us now identifies itself as our bodies or our thoughts. Yoga practice teaches us that it is actually neither.

Yoga is a quest for the unity we seek within ourselves and with the world, and to Patanjali, unity could be dangerous if one does not involve the higher mind in the process. That's why I'm teaching you the history of the yogi's journey.

Without this framework, anything can become yoga, and it's very important to maintain the practice of yoga as sacred. It's important to set out a time for your personal practice so you can continue to build on this foundation as you make this spiritual journey.

I'm happy to share this time with you on your yoga journey. If you want to share some of the most important lessons you've learned on your quest, send an email to [email protected]. Tell me - what does yoga mean to you? You could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast with Kino MacGregor!

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What are you thinking about right now?

If you think too hard about it, you'll realize our minds are always distracted. We are always focused on the business of daily life, which is why so many of us avoid the silence. I'm here to tell you that these moments of silence are important.

It is in this silence that we come to truly know ourselves, and through this silence is how we fight the battles within ourselves. You just have to get comfortable with it. Meditation can help you do that.

Meditation trains us to survive the silence. Through meditative practice, we can utilize the quiet moments between our breath and rebel against the ingrained habits of our subconscious mind.

For some of us, meditation makes us anxious. For others, we get sleepy. I have a few recommendations for all my meditators listening to this podcast, but first — I want to ask you to close your eyes.

By closing our eyes, we force the mind's attention inward, force it to focus on something other than the outside world, if even just for a minute. It could be the longest sixty seconds of your life, but the silence is there to help you. Sitting in silence will strengthen your mind and give you the power to break all those old negative ways of thinking.

If you're worried about the silence, I recommend that you pay attention to your breathing. Don't change the way you breathe, just watch yourself breathing until there is no longer silence - there is just you and your breath.

Taking on your own mind takes courage, and your courage inspires me to step onto the yoga mat every day and practice not only my asanas but my meditation. Tune in now to learn more benefits of meditative practice, and take advantage of my guided meditation episodes.

It's up to you to get on the mat every day. Send an email to [email protected] and tell me what inspires you to continue practicing yoga. You could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast with Kino MacGregor!

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This is a practice in meditation and mindfulness and how to integrate a sitting practice into your yoga practice. If you're intimidated by meditation - or just afraid you're going to fall asleep in practice! - I invite you to tune in for this guided meditation.

I will begin by drawing your attention to your senses and the inner experience. Our senses are normally directed to the external world and our day-to-day lives, but while meditating we have the chance to consciously direct our senses inward.

The easiest way to do this is to pay attention to your breath. Acknowledge the feeling as you inhale and exhale. Don't try and control or manipulate your breathing pattern, just acknowledge and recognize it. It will be your focal point as I guide you through this meditative practice.

Meditation is an important part of the spiritual journey in yoga. It teaches us to acknowledge our experiences without getting lost in the often overwhelming sensations of our feelings and our emotions.

When you practice meditation, you are training your mind to break old habits and see different opportunities. As your mind wanders - as it inevitably will as you sit quietly on your mat - all you have to do is call it back to your breath with a sense of kindness. There is no judgment, only acknowledgment and a gentle call back to the meditative state of mind.

As I said, this is a judgment-free zone. Meditation is no easy feat and it takes practice. Why not start the practice today?

I want to hear about your accomplishments on the yoga mat. Send an email to [email protected] and tell me - what does yoga mean to you? You could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast with Kino MacGregor!

Stay connected: @kinoyoga and @omstarsofficial

View my teaching schedule, blogs, etc on Kinoyoga.com

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The secret to yoga practice is in the asanas. These poses we twist our bodies into are not just for our physical health and strength. Yoga practice has the power to lead you on a path of liberation from the mind and body.

In this episode of the Yoga Inspiration Podcast, I get a little theoretical and discuss how yoga gets into our subconsciousness. While our subconscious minds are made up of the habitual reactions of our thoughts, bodies, and emotions, yoga can tap into and disrupt even the most negative cycles of thinking.

How?

Consider this - rather than thinking of our brains and minds as synonymous, consider the theory that our mind is actually capable of creating reality based on our perception. This perception includes our innate physical reactions to certain stimuli, such as pain or pleasure.

For example, when something is uncomfortable, our reaction is to run away or otherwise remove ourselves from the painful situation. But if you practice yoga, you are training yourself to remain neutral in the face of discomfort.

The discomfort we experience on the yoga mat is there to teach us how to recognize bodily sensations in response to various experiences. Yoga teaches us that it's not the pain that's important. It's the way we react to this pain that matters the most. And this heightened sense of the body gives you an access point into your subconscious mind.

What will you do with this access?

Will you have the power to break your habits?

Learning how not to react is one of the most important lessons you will learn on the yoga mat. Mastering it will give you the ability to change the way you think, and that is the first step toward changing your habits and becoming the best possible version of yourself.

Tune in now for more important lessons in spiritual training, and contact me with other valuable lessons you have learned a valuable lesson through yoga practice. Send an email at [email protected] and tell me - what does yoga mean to you? You could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast.

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You are such an inspiration to me, and it inspires me to continue practicing when I see all of you taking to your mats every day. I created this forum to help you and all my listeners find a safe space in your lives for yoga practice.

This is YOUR practice where I send you that same inspirational energy! No matter where or when you're joining this primary series practice - it is meant for you to relax and appreciate the spiritual journey.

I welcome rest. I welcome modifications. All I expect is that you work as hard as you know you can work today.

Let's get started!

I will guide you, starting with a traditional opening prayer and through the poses and breathing so you can feel accomplished on the mat.

If you want to share some of your yoga accomplishments, send an email to [email protected] and tell me - what does yoga mean to you? You could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast with Kino MacGregor!

Stay connected: @kinoyoga and @omstarsofficial

View my teaching schedule, blogs, etc on Kinoyoga.com

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The two practices of sati, or mindfulness, and metta, love and kindness, are distinctly different, but you cannot practice one without the other. It's important to understand their differences in order to make the most out of your yoga practice.

To start with, you cannot practice metta without sati. Sati is the mindfulness and awareness of what is. There is no imagination or visualization - what is simply is, and we must stay grounded in this practice in order to achieve mindfulness.

Achieving this mindfulness is easier said than done because sitting and meditating is very intimidating to most of us. We are carrying existential pain and suffering deep within us and meditation forces us to sit with this pain. There's absolutely nothing comfortable about that. But as you practice sati, you are practicing ways to observe this pain without fueling it.

This objective way of looking at our thoughts and emotions makes it possible to practice metta. Metta is the power of creation through conscious thinking. When we practice metta, we are actively planting positive thoughts in our heart's center of love, kindness, peace, and harmony, both toward ourselves and those around us.

These positive thoughts can be things like "I am worthy" or "I deserve to be happy," but they can also be as simple as the mere thought of love. Thinking of someone or something you love is part of the practice of metta. These thoughts tap into the vibration of love and give you the power to carry it within you and share it with others.

As you listen today, think of your mind and heart as a garden. Sati will clear away the overgrowth of negative thoughts so you can plant the seeds of metta in an open mind and an open heart.

I hope you recognize how important sati and metta are to not only our yoga practice but also to our own peace of mind. You cannot practice metta without sati because you cannot plant seeds of love before recognizing the pain and suffering that exists within your heart.

Share some of what's in your heart with me and my listeners. Send an email at [email protected] and tell me - what does yoga mean to you? You could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast with Kino MacGregor.

Stay connected: @kinoyoga and @omstarsofficial

View my teaching schedule, blogs, etc on Kinoyoga.com

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There is a transformation that happens with each practice. Your heart expands and you are better able to tap into that vibration of love, peace, and harmony. But, as with all things in this life, practice is not always easy.

We require sustenance to stay on the mat, and I bring this meditation to you today to inspire you and sustain you as we continue our yoga journey together.

Meditation is a practice. You don't need to be perfect the first time you do it, or even the second or third! Your mind will wander and your nose might itch, but all you need to do is follow each breath with attentiveness. Meditative practice requires an anchor, and this anchor will be your breath. Start now.

Inhale.

Exhale.

This natural pace of your breath will act as your guide through this meditation. Notice the actual sensation of your breath, the way it feels on your upper lip and through your nostrils. Take a moment to find this sensation because it will be your anchor on this journey.

If your mind wanders, don't stress. If your foot falls asleep, don't move. Just acknowledge these thoughts and sensations and use the anchor of your breath to bring you back to the meditation. I apply this same advice to the powerful emotions that may bubble to the surface as we practice. Try not to react. These feelings are transitory, so observe with mindfulness and move forward.

When you choose not to react to these minor disruptions, you become stronger on this meditative path to mindfulness. And when you practice mindfulness, you're better able to bring your focus to the heart's center, the center of love and kindness, the center of metta. It is here that you can tap into the vibration of love.

Join me now on this meditative journey as we tap into the vibrations of love, peace, and harmony and learn the importance of practicing self-metta just as we practice yoga. Love is our natural state, and this practice today will bring you back into that natural state of being.

Share some of the things you've learned on the yoga mat with me and my listeners. Send an email at [email protected] and tell me - what does yoga mean to you? You could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast with Kino MacGregor!

Stay connected: @kinoyoga and @omstarsofficial

View my teaching schedule, blogs, etc on Kinoyoga.com

Get your free 30 day membership on Omstars.com& use code: PODCAST

Training the mind is hard work. Any of us who have spent time on a yoga mat can attest to that. But what if I told you there was a secret to training your mind?

That secret is meditation. Meditation allows us to gaze at the inner plane, and it's through this self-observation that we can effectively calm and train the mind.

Now, the practice of meditation can mean many things to many different people. Perhaps you already include it as part of your yoga routine, or maybe you even practiced meditation first before you took up yoga. Anyone can practice meditation, and this episode of the Yoga Inspiration podcast is meant for beginners and advanced meditation practitioners.

Meditation requires a state of deep introspective concentration, and even the most advanced meditators can still have difficulty relaxing the mind. In fact, to be considered "good" at meditating, you must be able to focus on your breathing for 60 seconds.

While we won't be trying to achieve that today, all I ask is for you to consider meditation as a way to celebrate and accept the cycles of life we go through. I'm sharing my experiences from my most recent meditation retreat to hopefully inspire you to give meditation a try.

To start meditation, it's important to find a neutral object to focus on. Many of us use breathing as our center of focus. We all breathe, and breath is unlikely to have any emotional attachment to any thoughts of any kind. You want to keep your mind clear, and meditating on your breath flowing in and out can help concentrate your mind.

There are key differences between the breathing in meditation and the breathing we do in yoga. While meditating, you breathe as normal and learn to recognize your pattern of breath. This recognition can help you notice the way your breathing may change depending on the various life situations you find yourself in.

I discuss how and why meditative breathing is different from yoga, and I answer some key questions many yogis have about starting and maintaining a regular meditative practice. Meditation is key to training your mind and breaking any bad habits of negative thinking, so tune in now to step into that meditative mindset and begin retraining your brain.

Share some of the things you've learned on the yoga mat with me and my listeners. Send an email at [email protected] and tell me - what does yoga mean to you? You could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast with Kino MacGregor!

Stay connected: @kinoyoga and @omstarsofficial

View my teaching schedule, blogs, etc on Kinoyoga.com

Get your free 30 day membership on Omstars.com& use code: PODCAST

Meditation is an essential component of the spiritual path of yoga. Before you tune in to another episode of the Yoga Inspiration Podcast, I invite you to join me in this meditative practice.

It's easy to have theoretical conversations about meditation, but engaging in the act of meditating is the only way to truly grow on this yoga journey. Try it with me now! I will guide you through this meditative practice and share some of the benefits of meditation with you.

To start, come to a comfortable seated position and allow your eyes to close. Try not to change your position too much during this practice, but do stay comfortable.

It's important to keep your eyes closed during this practice in order to become aware of your senses. When your eyes are closed, the sense of sight is driven inward and you can start to practice in a state of self-observation.

Self-observation is how we enter the meditative mind. When you direct your cognizant mind to your inner world, it becomes much easier to focus on your breathing. Use your breath to create an anchor in your mind.

The easiest way to create this anchor is to bring your attention to your nose, your nostrils, and be aware of the feeling of your breath as it goes in and out. Don't try to breathe in a particular way, just simply breathe. If your mind starts to wander, acknowledge the adventure, and use your breath to bring yourself back to your inner world.

Your job on the yoga mat today is to acknowledge where your mind goes without engaging in any of the thoughts. Simply acknowledge, observe, and return to your breathing. When you do this, your mind will become clearer and you can start to truly practice metta.

Even if you've never meditated before, this practice is the perfect place to start. Get comfortable and get ready to enter the meditative mind!

Share the lessons you've learned on the yoga mat with me and my listeners. Send an email at [email protected] and tell me - what does yoga mean to you? You could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast with Kino MacGregor!

Stay connected: @kinoyoga and @omstarsofficial

View my teaching schedule, blogs, etc on Kinoyoga.com

Get your free 30 day membership on Omstars.com& use code: PODCAST

I'm taking a little inspiration from my Chat & Chai classes at the Miami Life Center for this special episode. Please tune in now for a special chat and a meditation that will help you reconnect with the innocence of your mind.

Remember when you first started yoga? That beginner's mindset is what we're trying to get back to today.

The longer you practice, the more important it is to check back in with yourself and your beginner's mind. Too often we come to the mat with an agenda - sometimes it's to do a headstand, or maybe we want a deeper backbend, but when you come to practice with a plan in your head, you're missing out on your moment to really connect.

That moment goes beyond the physical poses. Yoga is your chance to reconnect with your spirit and get back in touch with the deeper intention of the practice. Remember - yoga is an initiation of the heart.

The more we practice, and the more we learn about the physical practice and poses and bending, the further we stray from that excitement and wonder we felt that first day on the mat - our beginner's mind. Yes, I love learning about yoga, but I also love how my yoga practice is a chance to unlearn all that I know.

When you come to the yoga mat, you are starting on a journey that will turn you into a totally new person, if you let it. In order to be re-invented, you have to acknowledge that - despite all you know - you really don't know anything.

Your spirit remains untouched by all that your mind knows, and your yoga practice is the rare moment where you have the freedom to spend time within the freshness and newness of the human spirit.

Come explore this freshness of spirit and reconnect with the innocence of the beginner's mind.

Share the lessons you've learned on the yoga mat with me and my listeners. Send an email at [email protected] and tell me - what does yoga mean to you? You could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast with Kino MacGregor!

Stay connected: @kinoyoga and @omstarsofficial

View my teaching schedule, blogs, etc on Kinoyoga.com

Get your free 30 day membership on Omstars.com& use code: PODCAST