Jivamukti Yoga With Jessica Stickler

When we speak of the 'guru' in yoga class, we are speaking of that part of ourselves that we cultivate, an attitude of being humble and open to the possibility that we don't know everything, to the possibility that other people, other experiences, even animals, a piece of music.... these can all be teachers for us, they can all lead us to the possibility of being more compassionate, more loving, more understanding. Therefore the true guru (the sad guru) is the Self. Music by Essie Jain Music: http://www.essiejain.com/

The accumulation of all of our past experiences influences our thoughts, words, and actions in the present moment. Yoga practice helps us to become aware of these subtle causes and conditions which influence our behavior and reactions.

The practice of "nada yoga" or sound yoga tunes our bodies, hearts, and minds to the harmony of the universe. Live music by Kirsten McCord: http://kirstenmccord.com/

Understanding the nature of conflict, and the nature of our response to conflict or our perceived enemies (external or internal) is key to learning to stop the war. Watching our response to obstacles or hinderances during practice can give us insight as to how we are waging war with our inner demons. Music by Kevin Nathaniel: http://www.mbirasanctuary.com/

We are not the solidly material selves we imagine ourselves to be. Our bodies are energy and space, on a quantum level. We imagine that we are solid bodies, resting on other solid bodies. This is an illusion. What if we identified with the space and energy that comprise our bodies rather than the 'solid' matter?

We spend much of our lives searching for meaning, when it is in fact up to each of us to create meaning in our lives. Death awareness can help to re-prioritize so that we can focus our precious energy on those things that give our lives the most meaning. The practice is a hamstring/hanumanasana focused practice. It could be helpful to have a belt and a coin or sticky dot to follow along with the alignment activity in surya namaskar.

Memory and Forgetting as part of practice, and part of yoga. Memory serves a key role in practice, but we also get caught up in memories as a definition of our individual personality, which can have limiting effects. We have to remember to forget what we think we know sometimes in order to advance our practice.

Spiritual practice can provide us with the means to overcome our tendencies and habits, unless it becomes another cloak for those very same tendencies. We are challenged to stay alert to the ways in which spiritual practice might provide a convenient justification to avoid our difficult experiences and feelings. Music by Matt Wiviott: liveyogamusic.com

The mother and her tongue. Recorded at Bliss Yoga Studio on a recent teaching trip to Grand Cayman Island.

Yoga is now. Our mental excursions to the future and the past are a distraction from the experience of yoga which is only the present moment.

Yogis use mantra and music to connect more deeply with our true self and with the nature of the universe. Music by Kevin Nathaniel: http://mbirasanctuary.com/

featuring original music by Stephanie Carlin http://stephaniecarlin.com/

Intelligence means everything connects -- alignment of body, breath, intention, speech, and action. Misalignment creates tension in the body or in the mind. When all component of the yoga practice are working together, harmony, serenity, peace of mind, and joy arise.

Most of us identify with our past, specifically our past scars -- the experiences where we feel someone else has hurt us. This identification with past injuries limits our perception of ourselves. The goal of yoga is to clear out all the gunk, all the baggage, all the dirt, so that we can live harmoniously, in tune with others and with nature. Music by: Bhrigu Sani http://bhrigu.basecybernetics.com/

Everything is empty of meaning from its own side, and is perceived according to the nature of the mind that is doing the perceiving. The more we are able to expand our perception, the more we are able to let go of the clinging to identity. The class is a very hamstring focused physical sequence.

The five koshas or bodies are the layers or sheaths of embodied experience. The goal of all yoga practices is to purify these sheaths to uncover the Atman or the Divine Self, or "unconditioned consciousness."

Inversions are about going upside down, changing our perspective, expanding our sense of self, and shifting the cultural paradigm. Saleiu Suso plays kora throughout the class. The physical practice includes a few tripod headstands, which you may skip or modify if its appropriate for your practice.

Love is messy. Spiritual practice is sometimes rife with doubt and questions. Embrace both darkness and light as part of the path. Use every experience to lead you closer to the light of Self-realization, enlightenment. The sequence is a little twisty and turny with lots of right/left switching. Listen carefully and do your best!