“If we’re ever going to get the world back on a natural footing,…

… back in tune with natural rhythms, if we’re going to nurture the Earth and protect it and have fun with it and learn from it – which is what mothers do with their children – then we’ve got to put technology (an aggressive masculine system) in its proper place, which is that of a tool to be used sparingly, joyfully, gently and only in the fullest cooperation with nature. Nature must govern technology, not the other way around.” ― Tom Robbins

“Our lives…

… are not as limited as we think they are; the world is a wonderfully weird place; consensual reality is significantly flawed; no institution can be trusted, but love does work; all things are possible; and we all could be happy and fulfilled if we only had the guts to be truly free and the wisdom to shrink our egos and quit taking ourselves so damn seriously.” ― Tom Robbins

Science of Life, Spirit & Power…

Even a basic investigation of Ayurveda (the science of life), or Hatha Yoga (the science of spirit) not to mention Tantra (the science of power) will reveal that true, authentic yoga is all about purity and balance-not how strenuous or challenging the style is, how popular or famous your teacher is, or how good your butt looks.

A word to the wise: The spiritual marketplace? It’s all bullshit-or mostly so. And anyone who tells you ‘this is the only way, this is the right way’ should be dealt with…by walking away.

Want to go deeper? Want to find Truth? Just like everything else that isn’t part of the dominant paradigm, you have to work a bit harder to find it. It’s out there though, and at least as important-it’s in there! Not so much hidden as veiled, waiting to be discovered by sincere seekers-just like it has always been. That’s just the way The Spirit works.

What you will find, in part, is the rising feminine. And not a moment too soon-it is the only thing that is going to save us at this point. Start by finding it and nurturing it in yourself-creating that balance within-and we may see our world shift yet.

Om Shanti

The nature of modern yoga -

—most notably expressed in the large, corporate urban yoga studios now proliferating in developed nations—with it’s emphasis on fitness, strength, improved appearance and increased productivity, is a symptom of the current imbalance in the microcosm, our world, towards the masculine.

Ambition, striving, even competition all have their place of course. Indeed, being half of the equation, these qualities have been responsible for much of humanity’s enormous progress through the ages.

That said, it is the lack of the feminine dimension of being, the other half of the equation—such as contentment, acceptance, and sharing—that have made our world what it is today, a planet struggling to maintain it’s equilibrium.

It’s not about how ‘perfect’ your postures are, not about how intense your style is, it’s not even about the asanas, ultimately – they are simply a means to an end, a gateway into the deeper aspects of yoga.

And in these deeper aspects, we find the work becomes much more subtle, and yet more powerful. Here we find ourselves coming closer to Yoga as union, and thus, increasingly, we experience greater connection, equanimity, and harmony, all aspects of living in The Spirit. And what do these qualities have in common? They are all aspects of the Divine Feminine. Grow into them, and we survive and evolve as a species. Continue to deny them equal priority in our lives, and we suffer accordingly.

Feel your way into postures; work to find the ‘steady, comfortable seat’ within them as was the original intention. Back off of the physicality of the practice sometimes, the extreme edge, and open into the breath, the meditative aspects, of a practice.

There are many paths up the mountain.

Some are short and steep, others more meandering, circular, and slow. Some are more masculine, more yang, more linear and goal-driven; others more feminine, more yin, more circular and more concerned with the quality of the journey itself.

The essence of the art of Life, and therefore Yoga, is to choose the segments that work for us from each path, and to find our own way to ascend. Otherwise, we are merely experiencing someone else’s yoga, and living someone else’s life.

 

SOSA trainings…

… are not about honoring one particular lineage, trusting the words of a Rishi or saint who may or may not have had insight and realization-they are about honoring all lineages, trusting words only because they resonate as true, and realizing that all is equal, all is Source.

We encourage everyone to find his or her own way with Yoga…

As teachers, we share what we have learned and experienced, what has worked for us—as well as the various other paths—then pose two simple yet profound questions for our students to ponder: What do you think? How do you feel? This is the essence of our approach.

 

The developed world is heavily imbalanced…

…towards the masculine-competition, achievement, advancement, one-upmanship. That imbalance, unfortunately, bleeds into the way much yoga is being taught in these areas. Consider, in the interest of balance, slowing down, feeling what truly is, and allowing it to be. Remember, we are Human Beings, not Human Doings.

Ha and Tha, Yang and Yin, Shiva and Shakti

- all symbolism for the basic duality, the primary ‘division’ within One Source. We embrace this as the dance of life, or we struggle against it-it is our choice, in every moment. With Yoga, we work to flow with the dance, achieving balance.

The School of Sacred Arts has a simple yet profound mission:

To inspire all who experience our teacher trainings to become clearer, more aligned with their deepest truths, and then to go forth into the world to teach, to share from this center.

Only after discovering this place within ourselves are we truly able to inspire others to fly, to soar, and to be free-the essence of Yoga.