Jivamukti Yoga With Jessica Stickler

Why do we practice physical postures? There are so many forms of yoga, and the most common form in the west is the physical yoga.

This is the story of an Octopus, read from "The Soul of the Octopus." This story takes place in an aquarium, which ultimately I believe all animals should be free from their cages -- perhaps the more we know about these amazing animals the less we will be inclined to keep them in captivity. In the meantime, what about the eggs in the fridge and the scallop on the plate? What can this octopus story teach us about the other animals in our lives. Hip Opening focus with Kurmasana Music by: Lisa Apatini and Tiago Grade

Our creative development is interdependent and interconnected to all various factors in our lives and especially to our teachers. Music by Bryan Hayslett: bryanhayslett.com

Are we bound by our conditioning, or does the possibility of freedom, spontaneity, creativity exist? Where does true spontaneity come from and what is its relationship to practice?

We bring our own assumptions, viewpoints, prejudices, predispositions to each relationship and encounter with another. Yoga primes us to see the potential for more than just one viewpoint, and opens up the potential for limitless possibility and and expansion of sense of self through compassion for all beings.

A yogi cultivates relationships that are mutually beneficial, not only with other beings but with the earth itself. How are our preferences, our comforts, our habits adversely affecting our ability to relate with the earth and with all beings.

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.