Tag Archive for: study



Traditionally, yoga was offered freely in service of the welfare of the whole creation. As students and teachers of yoga, how do we live in alignment with this noble ideal and still pay the bills? How do we live in attunement with yogic principles and fulfill our responsibilities?

Classic yoga offers a method -Karma Yoga.

Most of us are familiar with the word “karma”, it literally means “action”. The word “yoga” refers to a means of spiritual development. Karma yoga is the “yoga of selfless action”.

Typically we perform actions with some degree of self centeredness:

  • If “I” purchase this new car, I will gain great social prestige.
  • If “I” buy this person roses, they will love Me”.
  • If “I” do handstand in the middle of the room, everyone will think “I AM” Awesome!

It is difficult to not get emotionally invested in our efforts, to expect a certain result and become identified with that result. This will result in one of two outcomes; either disappointment or a temporary sense of self-satisfaction.

Karma yoga asks us take a different approach, to set aside our agenda and act impartially, without attachment to the final outcome.

Acting impartially is not to be confused with apathy. As a yogi, it is necessary to perform actions wholeheartedly, just without getting “stuck” or “attached” to the outcome. Perform all actions for the actions sake alone.

Karma yoga has more to do with the spirit in which we perform actions and has less to do with the outer circumstances surrounding our activity.

One could be working in Mother Teresa’s ashram in Calcutta, tending to the needs of destitute people, all the while thinking about how awesomely selfless they are, and miss out on karma yoga. Or, perhaps someone acts as a farmer who tills the earth in service of the people who will eat the food, accepting a “good” or “bad” crop with equanimity.

The main idea is to recognize any ingrained selfish motive when performing actions and dedicate all actions in service of the highest good.

Application

Just like asana practice, karma yoga is a practice. Karma yoga gives a point of reference in which we can bring the spirit of yoga to all of our actions (including practicing and teaching yoga). It will shine the bright light of self awareness into our activity and can be practiced at every moment.

It does not have to be perfect from the get go – it rarely is.

Learning how to recognize our own motive and choose to live in a universal way is an ongoing process one that will bring greater peace to the world and, in the great cosmic equation, benefits all (including you :)

200 Hr. YTT Open House – Aug. 13

Come find out more about Axis Yoga’s ongoing yoga teacher trainings. This will be a great opportunity to experience a class, meet graduates, get your questions answered and get a taste of what Axis is all about!

Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017    9:30-11am
Sixth Ave. UCC – Upstairs
3250 E. 6th Ave, Denver – 80206

 

Congratulations!

I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge our spring 2017 graduating class!  After nearly four months of intensified yoga study and practice, they have blossomed into mature teachers who are ready to pass the gift of yoga along to our greater community.

Each class has a unique character.  This particular class was marked by unwavering dedication to being eager students and a common love for one another.  Many will remain friends for life.

I sometimes have chance encounters with past graduates and am always overjoyed to hear how they have brought yoga into all aspects of their lives and how they are sharing it with others.

I like to think that Axis contributes to the welfare of humanity in it’s own small yet very powerful way, one student at a time.

“This has truly been an amazing experience,
I am so thankful to have been a part of it!”


“I learned so much about teaching from all of your,
I am so grateful for that!”


“I’ll forever be grateful for the tools,
knowledge & wisdom gained here.”

 

Thank you for your appreciation and kind words!

Congratulations spring ‘17 students, this is just the beginning of a life long process of yoga, self discovery, and passing the teachings along to your students!

Yours in the Spirit, Service and Tradition of Yoga,
Derik

 

 

200 Hr. YTT Open House – Aug. 13

Come find out more about Axis Yoga’s ongoing yoga teacher trainings. This will be a great opportunity to experience a class, meet graduates, get your questions answered and get a taste of what Axis is all about!

Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017    9:30-11am
Sixth Ave. UCC – Upstairs
3250 E. 6th Ave, Denver – 80206

 

Yoga retreat Colorado - Axis Yoga Trainings

 

3 Incredible Days to “Return to Center”

Last month, close to 30 people ventured to Grant, CO to spend a weekend in nature. Some were already close friends, some were strangers, but they all had a common goal… to pause, breathe and go deeper in practice.

Lead by both Axis Yoga Training’s Derik Eselius and Beth Sanchez (bethsanchezyoga.net), the 3-day adventure at the Santa Maria YMCA began with yoga and ended with more yoga. Enriched with Dharma talks, meditation, pranayama, nature hike, signing and a bonfire, it made for the perfect getaway to kick off the summer.

The theme “Return to Center” focused not only on going in, achieving balance and returning to Ayurvedic roots, but it also placed emphasis on connection and community.

It was an experience like no other and one that attendees carried with them, down from the mountain and back to their daily lives. Words can’t quite express the magic that took place at Santa Maria, but this video does a pretty good job!

 

Retreat in Crestone, CO 9/1 – 9/4

Join Axis Yoga Trainings, Derik Eselius and Beth Sanchez for an encore retreat as they gather in Crestone, CO this Fall. Spend 4 days at the Crestone Healing Arts Center Friday, September 1 – 4, 2017. Our theme for this retreat is “Going Within”. Immerse yourself in asana practice, pranayama, meditation, dharma talks, sharing and singing. Portions of the retreat will be in Noble Silence with built in times of laughter, being in nature, and having fun.

Click here to learn more and to register!

 


Being a student of yoga.

Here’s how…

Assuming I am still alive, I will be studying yoga until I am dead :)

Yoga, as most of us come to realize, is a lifelong study.  We may begin with the practice to loose weight or because a friend dragged us into class; but sooner or later the practice becomes more expansive.

Almost as if by magic, our mood improves, we become more available for other people and our values shift. We can start to see the interconnected nature between our thoughts and our circumstances.

As a natural extension of these discoveries, it is quite natural for one to want to share the gift of yoga with others, to teach.  Imparting the teachings of yoga is a wondrous opportunity that can reveal deeper dimensions of your own life as well as in the lives of your students.

There is just one caveat…

You must forever remain a student.

If you are not diligent in your own personal practice, or mistake teaching time for practice time, your teaching will likely become rote and uninspired -you lose the magic.  Personal practice is the foundation of teaching.

Here are a few time tested and simple tips for strengthening your personal practice and sewing the seeds of the inner teacher.


3 Ways to Truly Become A Student of Yoga

 

1. Have a Dedicated Space

Having a dedicated space in which to stretch, breath and or meditate is essential.  It does not have to be fancy. My first meditation enclave was wedged between a wall and a desk.  It felt like home.  Establishing home base for your practice will build up a vital charge of energy and association that will strengthen your practice.  Find some way to designate a formal practice space.

 

2. Regular Practice

In order for the practices to work, you have to do them.

I often tell students to make it easy on themselves by just committing to practicing on a daily basis, no matter how small.  This will circumvent the tendency to fall into “tomorrow” syndrome, in which it becomes more and more easy to dismiss the value of yoga practice with each passing day; until it becomes a nice idea rather than a living breathing reality.

If you want to get good at anything, whether it is playing the piano, mastering card tricks, learning to paint or pursuing your unique and noble life’s purpose, you have to practice.

 

3. Find Positive Association

The more we practice yoga, the more sensitive we become to what is wholesome and supportive to our well being and what is not.  Turning the tide of negative behavior takes ongoing dedicated practice as well as a healthy dose of love and acceptance.

What can we do outside of our formal practice time that will support our formal practice?  What foods do we eat?  Who do we hang out with?  What time do we go to bed at night?  Was that third slice of chocolate cake really worth it?

Find behaviors and associations that will feed your time on the mat or meditation cushion -it will generate a positive self reinforcing cycle.

 

Conclusion…

Being a dedicated student of yoga requires ongoing practice, it does not happen all at once. We may fail many times before overcoming our inner obstacles.  Teaching yoga gives us a chance to share the techniques with others and in the process, reinforce our  commitment and dedication to personal practice.  Be a yogi first, a teacher second.

Derik

 


Free Student-Lead Yoga Classes (Practicums)

Come experience these one of a kind classes and support these students and they show off the skills they have learned and blossom into full-fledged teachers!

Sunday, June 4, 2017
Class 1: Our Eternal Thread
1-2:30PM
Brian, Donna & Nikole

Class 2: The Space Within
3-4:30PM
Lindsay, Paul, Malina & Ashley

Saturday, June 10, 2017
Class 3: Sun, Earth, Moon
1-2:30PM
Lynda, Rebecca, Kristine

Class 4: The Yoga Breath & Mind
3-4:30PM
Haley, Lisa & Monica

Free to the public
3250 E. Sixth Ave. UCC ~ Upstairs