Show Notes
This week we continue our discussion of the Niyamas, the things yogis should be doing to bring their practice into every aspect of life. Tapas, a kind of self-discipline that helps build the fire inside that burns away impurities, is a concept familiar to many people of faith. Svadhyaya is the study of the self - reflection on your actions, characteristics, the direction you are taking and the environment in which you are living. But of course it must be done without too heavy of a cri...
More from Yoga Stories with Matt and Monica
BONUS MATERIAL! 4 years later... As Part of Matt's Masters Degree in Yoga Studies he was required to produce a podcast about the place of sound in yoga. What better occasion for a reunion with long time dear friend and teacher, Monica. This episode will be less conversational than you may be used to from us, and looks at one very small aspect of mantras in the studio from an academic perspective. But enjoy it anway!
OK, so January is almost over, but that doesn't mean we cannot still develop some new habits and work on those resolutions we made at the beginning of the year! Monica tells us it only takes 21 days to develop a new habit - so why not use that power to achieve something wonderful? Our idea (and we don't claim it's original!) is to encourage you to start a personal (yoga) practice. Something simple. Something sustainable. Something you will do every day, and will see and feel a benefit from. ...
How quickly and dramatically can things change? In a global pandemic, the answer is "VERY"! In the last episode Monica was looking forward to Christmas in Slovakia and her birthday (and New Year) in Sicily. However, Monica is now in splendid isolation at home after testing positive before trying to take the flight to Sicily. Matt was busy preparing for a Christmas for seven family members, but in the end it was three people and one dog - everyone else at home also having caught Covid... We c...
We decided to celebrate the end of the year by listening back to the guests we had over the last year; to share the impressions we had, the lessons we learned, the beautiful stories shared. However, we were really only half way through when time was up (a booster vaccination appointment was calling!). So this is just part 1. We will talk about everyone before the year is out... (hopefully!) What have we learned? CHANGE. Everything changes, and we are certainly not the people we were at...
Born in the US Pacific Northwest, Michael was a bookish child, not so comfortable in his body. He grew up in a loving family, but one that had no specific religious or spiritual practice. Realising he was good at school work, he decided to be really good at school. This eventually led to a full ride scholarship to University. It was while at college that he discovered dance, and took his first yoga class. Soon he was a regular at the local Bikram studio, as well as adding dance to his degree...