Lake Tahoe Yoga

Yoga is not something you do every morning. It's a way of living.

This year our theme is Purposeful Practice and our intention has been to encourage everyone to try to live a yogic lifestyle.

Have you incorporated asana as a way of moving in every direction all day long?

Have you been applying the sounds and words of Sanskrit words to effect yourself with the power of sound?

Have you been considering how your thoughts, words and behaviors affect others?

Yoga isn't a fitness routine you do every morning to move your body. It is the application of practices and a lifestyle that helps you to become your most authentic self.

Are you purposeful in your practice?
Do you practice yoga everywhere?
Are you your best self?

We've maintained a consistent, dedicated practice since we opened in 2008. What began as a few classes in a dance studio under the name Svadhyaya Yoga has grown into a basin-wide business. Our focus remains the same: practice yoga everywhere to discover your Self.

Every session we offer is adjusted and varied to provide everyone who joins us with what they need. Our classes are small, our studio is comfortable and our intention is to teach you about how you can access yoga.

We're not into heat, fitness routines, fashion or trends. We focus upon philosophy, self study and effecting change. Every class incorporates every aspect of the practice. Private sessions are customized to align with your needs. Event sessions incorporate your requests.

Lake Tahoe Yoga is a space, practice, and community in which you can learn to practice yoga everywhere and discover your Self.

सत्य Satya: truth, truthfulness, authentic
This yama is a practice of recognizing not only what is true, but also when to speak the truth.

In alignment with ahimsa (non-harming), satya requires consideration of how your words are going to affect others. While you might understand something to be true, it could be so only for you. Even if it is true for others, will expressing it cause harm or be helpful?

The American Century Championship is in Tahoe this week.

We have some tips for those of you wanting to learn to play like a pro.

Yoga for Golfers 5 postures that can improve your swing and abilities on the golf co...

Satya: truthfulness, begins with yourself. It is the practice of honestly examining yourself and being critical of how you see others for it helps us to see our faults and correct them.

While physical movement has become synonymous with yoga, it is not the whole of the practice. Learning this and admitting ignorance, then choosing to learn more is one way to practice satya.

Every day we learn new things as we study and practice. Admitting that which was learned as incorrect and unlearning is part of the journey. Satya is expressing truth at the right moment so its effects are positive.

Someone congratulated us on Best of a Tahoe. We didn't know why.

We appreciate that you took the time to recognize Lake Tahoe Yoga.

We discontinued participating in this marketing program because of the requirement for daily voting. Rather than ask you to do so, we choose to focus on offering knowledge, quality practices and service.

We're glad you think we're the best and want others to know.

We look forward to continuing to share the practice with you.

Happy July!
During this month we recognize the freedom we have to live our lives the way we choose. With the celebration of our nation's independence we honor our right to govern ourselves as we choose.

The yama are self governances. They are social disciplines we can engage in to create a good society. These practices can create a shared, positive experience. By applying yama to your life you can shift your perspective and the way in which you respond to others.

They are five fold:
Satya(truth)
Asteya (sharing)
Ahimsa (friendliness)
Aparigraha (generosity)
Brahmacarya (moderation)

Force is a fundamental concept in physics that explains how objects interact and move in the universe, encompassing both contact and action-at-a-distance forces.

Force doesn't require direct contact. Force in and of itself cannot be seen, but the result of applied force can be observed.

Hatha is force. It can be intentional or unintentional, direct or indirect. It is up to you to choose to apply force in a way that creates the interaction you desire. When you intentionally force anything, you are the one in control of the change, but not always the result.

Hatha yoga is the practice of applying sankalpa in sadhana.

Guess what we learned!
We were taught to call this asana adhomukhasvanasana (downward facing dog seat). While we can see the resemblance, it never really seemed to be the right name, in our opinion.

Years ago, one of our practitioners returned from a trip to India and told us that their guides there called it mountain posture. This made sense, but we didn't have access to the Sanskrit or an explanation.

Recently, a new practitioner challenged us on calling it downward dog saying that they thought it was himvasana. (This person speaks Hindi and knows Sanskrit)
Conversation and explanation followed:

Himva refers to the Himalaya; the mountains in India.
The asana commonly called mountain: tadasana is inaccurately translated. "Tad" is a tall palm. Thus, tadasana is "the tall palm posture," which makes sense! We stand tall and straight like a palm tree.

We are no longer calling the asana in the image the downward facing dog posture. We have adjusted our teachings and now call himvasana: himalaya, or mountain posture.

Want another fun fact?
Himalaya means "abode of the snow." We see it! Our mountains in Tahoe are part of the Sierra Nevada; snowy mountain range.

Yoga International

This is hatha.
An intention has been established. Breath is being directed. The movements are effortful. The goal is yoga.

Anytime you are moving your body or applying a treatment with the intention of clearing, cleansing or removal, and the goal of revealing your authentic self, you are practicing hatha. Asana, toothbrushing, neti and trataka are just a few of the many hatha practices.