11
Jul
2019
Ashtanga Yoga
Why Ashtanga Yoga Still Matters (At Least to Me) by Kino Macgregor
It has taken me nearly two years (way too long by many standards) to write this blog. I have needed all this time to come to the staggering conclusion that K. Pattabhi Jois, who was one of my yoga teachers, sexually assaulted women under the guise of adjustments. This realization has shaken me to the…
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21
May
2019
Ashtanga Yoga
Would you still love me if I don’t handstand anymore? By Kino MacGregor
So much of the contemporary yoga world is tied to ableism. Young students born with natural physical talent or those with years of dance, gymnastic or other training excel to soaring heights and are lauded as champion teachers. Students of yoga give these yogis talk time and elevate them to a high status based on…
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25
Mar
2019
Yogi Assignments
Yogi Assignment: Unpacking Surrender on the Spiritual Path
There is magic both in the student and the teacher’s journey in yoga. Both are interdependent and not separate from each other. The teacher does not exist on some far removed, distant pedestal in the sky. The student is not some lowly being saved by the grace of the teacher. The deification of the teacher…
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12
Feb
2019
Yogi Assignments
Yogi Assignment: The Student’s Journey
It’s been hard for me to find the space to begin writing this month’s #YogiAssignment blog. If I had to put my finger on why I would say that the reason is because I have been relishing the paradigm of being a student. The six weeks that I spent in India felt like a seismic…
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31
Dec
2018
Yogi Assignments
Yogi Assignment: Seek
To say that the room was packed is a dramatic understatement. There were so many eager yogis gathered from all over the world that yoga mats were stacked nearly on top of each other, the corners of them touching. Some who arrived late placed their mats at any angle of available floor space. Others who…
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6
Dec
2018
Yogi Assignments
Yoga Assignment: The Yoga Judgement Cure
It is impossible to go through life without making certain estimations about the world. In fact, it would go against the very nature of the human mind to float freely with no regard for the environment. We constantly judge things. These judgements can be harmless, necessary, harmful and sometimes unnecessary. For example, when you’re about…
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27
Nov
2018
Yogi Assignments
Yogi Assignment: A Practical Application of the Niyamas
When I first started practicing yoga I had not idea that there was so much depth. All I knew was that I wanted to live a more peaceful life and I thought yoga would lead me there. Years later, I can say for certain that yoga is a path of inner peace and if you…
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19
Nov
2018
Yogi Assignments
Yogi Assignment: Bring the Yamas to the Holiday Season
The moral and ethical principles that are the foundation of yoga practice are a 24/7 commitment. It is said that once you start the path, there is no turning back and no room for excuses. Across the United States, this week marks the official beginning of the holiday season with the national holiday known as…
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12
Nov
2018
Yogi Assignments
Yogi Assignment: A Mindful Response to Trauma
I travel nearly every weekend and I’m often staying in new places. Sometimes I stay in hotels, but sometimes I also stay in private apartments and airbnbs. Last weekend I was staying in an airbnb and, when I was just finishing my evening meditation, I heard a rattling at the door. Whereas normally I would…
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5
Nov
2018
Yogi Assignments
Yogi Assignment: Applying Ahimsa Post-Election
You might not know this about me, but I have a strong interest in politics. Before I was passionate about yoga, I was passionate about politics. I used to get into heated arguments with people about government policy. I was on the high school debate team (and even won awards for public speaking). Graduating fifth…
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