Yoga Philosophy
Yoga meaning of the word is: Union. Purpose of practicing yoga is to experience the union of Body, Mind, Heart, and Soul.
Yoga is not just a physical discipline you practice an hour or so a day – it is a way of life you practice all day. Everyday.
Rick and Mary teach Hatha and Yin Yoga. Our intention is to create a sacred experience which draws you into a deep relaxation. Thereafter this experience ebbs and flows into your way of being.
What Does Hatha Mean?
The word hatha means willful. Hatha yoga refers to a set of physical exercises (known as asanas or postures), and sequences of asanas, designed to align your skin, muscles and bones. The postures are also designed to open the many channels of the body – especially the main channel, the spine – so that energy can flow freely.
Hatha is also translated as ha, meaning “sun” and the meaning “moon.” This refers to the balance of masculine aspects – active, hot, sun – and feminine aspects – receptive, cool, moon -within all of us. Hatha yoga is a path toward creating balance and uniting opposites. In our physical bodies we develop a balance of strength and flexibility. We also learn to balance our effort and surrender in each pose. Hatha yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation. It asks us to bring our attention to our breath, which helps us to still the fluctuations of the mind and be more present in the unfolding of each moment.
Yin Yoga
Yin is a passive, meditative, non-movement yoga which enhances the connective tissues throughout the body, especially good for our joints.
Yogi Rick &
Yogini Mary
Click on the play button at the left to listen to a few minutes of Om chanting
What does Om mean?
Om is a mantra, or vibration, that is traditionally chanted at the beginning and/or end of yoga sessions. It is said to be the sound of the universe. What does that mean? Om is the primordial seed of the Universe – the whole world, says one ancient text, “is nothing but om.” Somehow the ancient yogis knew what scientists today are telling us – that the entire universe is moving. Nothing is ever solid or still. Everything that exists pulsates, creating a rhythmic vibration that the ancient yogis acknowledged with the sound of Om. We may not always be aware of this sound in our daily lives, but we can hear it in the rustling of the autumn leaves, the waves on the shore, the inside of a seashell. Chanting Om allows us to recognize our experience as a reflection of how the whole Universe moves – the setting sun, the rising moon, the ebb and flow of the tides, the beating of our hearts. As we chant Om, it takes us for a ride on this universal movement, through our breath, our awareness, and our physical energy, and we begin to sense a bigger connection that is both uplifting and soothing.