 Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash Close your eyes and you will see clearly. - Taoist wisdom This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 1.41 क्षीणवृत्तेरभिजातस्येव मणेर्ग्रहीतृग्रहणग्राह्येषु तत्स्थतदञ्जनतासमापत्तिः kṣīṇa-vr̥tter-abhijātasy-eva maṇer-grahītr̥-grahaṇa-grāhyeṣu tatstha-tadañjanatā samāpattiḥ When the Mind Is One-Pointed, it Becomes Stable and Clear Like a Flawless Crystal. In this State, the Perceiver, Perceived and Instrument of Perception Are One, Just as a Crystal Reveals Objects Placed Near it. This Is the Consummation of Samadhi. Now, Patanjali dives into the most subtle parts of the method he is describing, called Raja Yoga or the Eight-Limbed Path (Ashtanga Yoga). As we discussed in February, this first book of the Yoga Sutras is for Patanjali’s most advanced students and is simultaneously a broad overview of Raja Yoga basics.
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 As the year winds to a close, it's easy for the to-do list to take over and to prioritize everyone and everything but ourselves.
This year, take time to center and ground yourself before the holiday whirlwind. Join Rachel and Evelyn as they transport you away from your busy schedule... Away from the bustle of the city... After a few minutes of gentle movement, we’ll settle in for a longer period of stillness. From a comfortable resting pose, you’ll enjoy the words and instruments of our facilitators, who will cultivate an atmosphere where no thoughts are needed. All-Access Members (including New Student Intro Passholders) get $15 off. Discount automatically applied at checkout. Only 4 spots are left as of today, so make sure you book soon to save your place. Once booked, tickets are non-refundable.  Brenna Cramer What brought you to yoga? I found yoga during my freshman year at UW-Madison. I was feeling extremely overwhelmed and struggling to manage this large life transition and my new environment. I discovered yoga as a way to calm my mind, connect with my breathing, and feel strong and stable in my body. What is your approach to teaching? My approach is rooted in kindness. I aim to be kind and caring towards every student I meet, and cultivate kindness towards ourselves. I spent many years being unkind to myself both physically and mentally, and never giving myself time to rest. I think we can all afford to be a bit kinder to others, and ourselves, and yoga can be a gateway towards this. I strive to be a friendly, trustworthy, reliable face and presence for my yoga students. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I discovered 5KY and immediately observed the emphasis on approachability and an open-minded attitude about yoga. 5KY aims to help individuals manage stress in life with greater ease and success. That is just what I hope to do in my teachings. We cannot live a life completely devoid of stress, that is simply not a realistic goal. BUT, we can practice strategies for meeting this stress head on, and managing our physical responses to stressful times and triggers. 5KY is a safe, supportive, loving space where people of all physical and mental abilities can build their yoga practice and develop skills for overall stress management. What makes your soul sing? One of the main things that makes my soul sing is connection to other people. I enjoy meeting new people through yoga and in other aspects of life. I actually would consider myself more of an introvert. I am not always the loudest or most outgoing person in a room. However, meeting new people and maintaining connections with longtime dear friends truly warms my heart and is part of what life is all about. I also enjoy connecting other people together. When I see friends and family members interacting for the first time, sharing a meal together, finding common ground, it brings me back to why we are all here on this planet - to live our lives in loving kindness and spread joy to others wherever we go. You can find Brenna at 5KY teaching Intermediate Yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 AM.
 Photo by Wonderlane on Unsplash Just be good and do good. - Sri Swami Sivananda This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 1.33 मैत्रीकरुणामुदितोपेक्षाणां सुखदुःखपुण्यापुण्यविषयाणां भावनातश्चित्तप्रसादनम् maitrīkaruṇāmuditopekṣāṇāṃsukhaduḥkhapuṇyāpuṇyaviṣayāṇāṃbhāvanātaścittaprasādanam Cultivating Friendliness Toward the Happy, Compassion for the Unhappy, Delight in the Virtuous and Disregard Toward Vice, One's Mind Becomes a Home to Serenity. A perennial favorite, Sutra 1.33 gives us some of the most practical advice in the entire Yoga Sutras. As practical as it is, it may also be the most difficult discipline of all.
Even more challenging than mastering any arm balancing asana or completing a 10-day silent retreat, I think. Because this yoga is applied within our daily activities and in our reactions to the various experiences that come our way. It’s very simple really. Yoga Sutra 1.33 reminds us that in order to retain our peace of mind, we’ll need four tools to overcome four different types of situations. In the Sonia Sumar Method, we often refer to them as the “four locks and keys.”  We value your feedback and appreciate your support. If you've been enjoying our classes, we encourage you to participate in our Fall review drive on the Momence app. Feeling extra motivated? Review us on Google, Yelp, Facebook and/or NextDoor too! We'd greatly appreciate your support in helping our yoga studio thrive and grow. Your participation, whether through reviews, referrals, or simply spreading the word about our studio, plays a vital role in our success. And don't forget to stop by on Halloween for some special treats as a way for us to say thanks for your support. Thank you for taking a moment out of your day to leave a review at the links below! GIVE US A REVIEW
 Helen Spica What brought you to yoga? I came to yoga as a way to positively connect to my body and heal after injury, starting my life-long journey of exploring therapeutic movement. What is your approach to teaching? Above all, I want my students to have a joyful and safe experience of yoga. My classes are a space in which all levels of students can explore and develop a meaningful personal practice linking body, heart, and mind. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? 5KY’s mission to make yoga and therapeutic movement available to all bodies and all ages is one I feel in my heart, and aligns so perfectly with everything I truly love about teaching yoga! What makes your soul sing? The city of Chicago! I’m so grateful to live in this uniquely beautiful place. You can find Helen at 5KY teaching Beginner Yoga on Mondays at 6 PM and Intermediate Yoga on Tuesdays at 5:45 PM.
 Photo by Jukan Tateisi on Unsplash When the mind, one-pointed and fully focused, knows the supreme silence in the Heart, this is true learning. - Ramana Maharshi This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 1.32 - तत्प्रतिषेधार्थमेकतत्त्वाभ्यासः - tat-pratiṣedha-artham-eka-tattva-abhyāsaḥ The Practice of Concentration on a Single Subject (or the Use of One Technique) Is the Best Way to Prevent the Obstacles and Their Accompaniments. This month, we discuss only three Yoga Sutras (1.30-1.32) but boy, do they pack a punch! Last month, Patanjali hinted in Sutra 1.29 that by reverentially repeating Om, we can overcome all the obstacles on our spiritual pathway.
But it would be helpful to know just what obstacles to expect and how to spot them in order to prepare ourselves. Calling all Chicago yoga teachers! Take your teaching skills to the next level with a two-day program on Asana Choreography led by master yoga teacher trainer, Renata Sumar Gaertner and co-owner of 5KY, Erin Haddock.  This comprehensive workshop covers all aspects of Asana Choreography. You'll learn the basics of planning sequences and linking asanas together, advanced asana techniques, and presentation and storytelling skills.
The weekend will culminate in a presentation of asana choreographies our participants have developed over the two days. Day One of the workshop will cover the fundamentals of asana choreography, including what it is, how to plan your sequence, basic asanas, and how to link them together. Day Two will focus on more advanced techniques such as storytelling skills, music selection, training more advanced postures, how pranayama and meditation are connected to your asana practice, and presentation skills. You will also be able to take part in a mock presentation and receive feedback from both your peers and instructors. In addition to our workshop, we will have daily Hatha Yoga Practice following the Sonia Sumar Method - Yoga for all Abilities. This workshop is perfect for yoga teachers of all levels who are interested in learning more about asana choreography. Sign up by September 30th and get 20% off!!  Cultivate peace, rest & balance with a guided Yoga Nidra (Deep Relaxation) as you are immersed in the resonant full-body experience of a sound bath.
Bring balance to the transition from summer to autumn.  If you’ve ever felt intimidated to practice at a yoga studio, our Intro to Yoga Series is perfect for you! This is also a great series for those looking for a deeper foundational understanding of the practice of Yoga.
This will include not only yoga poses (asana) and breathing techniques (pranayama), but also the integral philosophy behind the practice. You’ll learn why and how yoga works as you develop your own personal practice that’s unique to you and your needs. Whether you’re a total beginner, you’re returning to your practice after some time off, or just want to learn more about the broader practice of yoga, this class will help you along your journey. After the 8-week course is over, you will understand how to practice and modify basic yoga poses, develop better control over your breathing, and learn how traditional yogic philosophy impacts our body and mind from a scientific but heart-centered approach. Suitable for total beginners as well as anyone who has been dipping their toes into the practice but wants a more in-depth understanding of Yoga. Registration is limited to just 10. Book your spot now! |
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Five Keys Yoga, LLC ∙ 1818 W. Belmont Ave. ∙ Chicago, IL 60657 ∙ (773) 857-1763 ∙ namaste@5keysyoga.com