Yoga Archives - Ayurveda Yoga Center

Love Yourself

by Deborah Keene | Feb 17, 2023 | Practice, Vibrant Living

“Your self love is a medicine for the earth” ~Yung Pueblo

My teachers often speak about the importance of connecting to our own deep center and the divine essence within. Unconditional self-love and self-compassion are the first steps to becoming free of suffering.

What does that mean to love yourself? Pure and simple, if we want to love someone, we must love ourselves unconditionally first.

Believing in our hearts, knowing in our bones that we are enough just as we are is key for being able to live a happier healthier more love filled life.

I know this to be true.

There were a whole lot of years I didn’t feel good about who I was.

I struggled with anxiety, insecurity, and depression among other things. Looking back, I suffered a lot.

It’s not that way for me anymore. I accept who I am, the way I am, and love me for it.

“The love and attention you always thought you wanted from someone else, is the love and attention you first need to give to yourself.” – Bryant McGill

When struggles do arise, as they will given the human nature that I am, I don’t get gripped by fear or insecurity or feelings of less than. I don’t beat myself up anymore.

I protect me and the spirit of Debbie Keene.

“Guard the doors of your temple, do not let anyone pollute it with their mess.”― Patricio Telman Chincocolo

A morning practice has been the most significant factor in this transformation. Begin with the gift of a daily practice, a morning sadhana. If you’d like easy, on-demand access to yoga practices, consider subscribing to my Radiant Living Membership. Click HERE to learn more.

Thank you for visiting the Ayurveda Yoga Center where we provide teachings, practices, and wisdom from Yoga and Ayurveda and other spiritual traditions.

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With love and gratitude,

Deb

Inspiration for Troubling Times

by Deborah Keene | Jun 3, 2022 | Practice, Summer

These troubling times continue on.

So many of us feel the heartache, anger, despair, and overwhelm. We go through our days not quite knowing how to feel or what to do.

My daily practice helps me stay strong and steady. And, I often look to inspirational readings.

Here is one that helps keep things in perspective for me:

“Sadness gives depth. Happiness gives height.
Sadness gives roots. Happiness gives branches.
Happiness is like a tree going into the sky, and sadness is like the roots going down into the womb of the earth.
Both are needed, and the higher a tree goes, the deeper it goes, simultaneously.
The bigger the tree, the bigger will be its roots.
In fact, it is always in proportion. That’s its balance.”

-Osho

One thing I know to be true.

We need our practices more than ever to help us stay grounded and balanced.

Movement, breath work, mindfulness, and meditation are some of the keys to help maintain inner stability.

Training ourselves daily with our sadhana, or practice, helps us develop a stable emotional body and a calm mind which in turns bring about peace and happiness.

When we uplift ourselves then we also deepen our roots and we can shine our light and help uplift and root all those around us as well.

This takes work. Freedom takes work. Doing our own inner work is what is needed more than ever now.

The saying goes: Peace begins with us.

I encourage you to reflect upon the following questions and write down insights, thoughts, or anything all all that comes to mind. This practice will help clarify and guide you on your path.

Some Questions to Ponder:

What are the areas within us that needs healing?

What are our triggers that bring on shame, anger, resentment, blame, and pain?

What can we do to help uplift ourselves so we can uplift all those around us?

We are encouraged to let ourselves feel what is going on.

We are encouraged to take the time to self-reflect and self-correct.

What are our thoughts, how are we behaving?

How are we living day in and day out?

What are we surrounding ourselves with? What are we eating?

Are our daily habits supporting our mental and emotional health?

“Stop a minute. Relax your shoulders, shake your head and spine like a dog shaking off cold water.

Tell that imperious voice in your head to be still.”

-Barbara Kingsolver

Rising above the chaos

by Deborah Keene | Mar 4, 2021 | Practice, Vibrant Living, Yoga

We have just experienced a powerful full moon with strong energies contributing to lots going on.

It can be a challenge to stay grounded while all these changes are taking place.

We are all being tested in different ways.

The question is, how can we bring a settledness to ourselves when life’s events feel chaotic.

How can we rise above the confusion, worry, anger, and divisiveness?

For me, one of my mainstays is my Yoga practice.
My practice helps me stay steady even in the midst of all the chaos.
My struggles have much less drama, intensity, and duration.

I can often maintain a broader view, see things for what they are, and smile to my troubles.

Yoga means wholeness: oneness with all things: coming into an integrated state of being.

A yoga practice helps us to experience the feeling of being connected to each other and to all that is.

It helps to open our heart space and expand our awareness so we can see things more clearly.

Awareness is essential to awakening: awakening to the truth of who we really are and to what matters the most in life.

A well rounded, integrated yoga practice helps us experience a more settled feeling in our minds, bodies, and emotions.

We feel healthier, happier, more vibrant and hopeful.

Consistency is key. We need to practice daily so that the vitality we are creating is stronger than the stressors of life.

Without consistency, our new elevated state will not be stabilized in our being and then we will slide back into the old grooves and lose our grounding.

Having a sangha – a spiritual community is important to help us stay consistent and connected.

In some ways, this past year has made it easier for folks to connect and partake of yogic offerings online.

For this, I am grateful.

Here are a few suggestions for today to help you remain settled and uplifted:

-Let the breath be long, slow, and deep. As is the breath, so is the mind. When the breath slows down, the mind will follow.

-Tune inside – Take a pause, take a breath, come into this moment, and place awareness on our heart space. Feel the relief.

-Accept everything: resist nothing. What we resist, persists. Allow all things to be as they are. Trust that all will be alright.

-Find something you are grateful for. Gratitude, like love, peace, compassion and faith are high vibration words that provoke a positive feeling in the body.

For online classes please visit the website https://ayurvedayogacenter.com/online-yoga/

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Yoga in These Times

by Deborah Keene | Mar 15, 2020 | Coaching, Vibrant Living, Women, Yoga

With the health situation as it is, I wanted to acknowledge we are in some rough waters. It is hard not to feel overwhelmed, somewhat fearful, and confused as to what to do and not do.

The “Corona Virus in Maine” was the topic on Maine Calling last week on Maine Public Radio. Very good program. It’s worth listening to. This we know: grounding, shoring up, calming, and immune building measures are called for now. There are many disciplines that help.

As a yoga studio owner, I have sought council, am following the guidelines, and have taken measures to help keep us all safe. Here’s the scoop:

Classes will continue here in Liberty unless or until it makes sense not to. I will certainly keep you posted.
I have hand sanitizer waiting once you enter.
We are encouraged to practice social distancing: no hugging, no shaking hands.
I am asking that folks bring their own yoga mats and blankets.
I also have sanitizing wipes for chairs and other surfaces that will be cleaned regularly.
And please do not come if you have a cough, cold, sneezing, or are feeling ill in any way.

The practices I am focusing on now help to strengthen and balance our systems so that we can withstand whatever comes our way. Also, reducing stress and anxiety, supporting immune health, and more is what is covered these days. All through the lens of Yoga and Ayurveda.

This past winter I have been working on getting set up for more online offerings. There will be more posted on my website very soon. Now may be a good time to consider a personalized yoga practice online or by phone. The practice can be designed for you- uniquely you and what you need and want. For example, if anxiety is on the rise there are certain breathing practices, yogic exercises, and chants that can be very helpful. A daily sadhanda, or spiritual practice, is essential. It is what helps anchor and fortify us. I can help you design one especially for you. E-mail me: ayuyoga@fairpoint.net or call 207 589-4254 to find out more and to schedule a session.

Other Online or phone offerings:

Online/ phone coaching program to help you make deep lasting changes that can be very transformative.

An Ayurvedic Consultation is also very potent to help you identify your unique constitutional make-up and needs. This includes a customized diet and lifestyle plan which follows the ancient way: no one size fits all.

No matter what, we need each other. It is a known fact that being connected is essential to our health and wellbeing. There are many ways we can remain connected. If I don’t see you, I will remain in touch through e-mails and, finally!, I will be sending out a regular monthly newsletter.

Some tips for us all:

Stay hydrated!! When the winds in our minds are blowing, we dry out–which contributes to anxiety and fear.
Warm, moist cooked foods are grounding and nourishing.
Soups and stews.
Warm liquids
Teas such as chamomile, holy basil, and licorice are comforting.
Even plain water with a little lemon can soothe.
A paste made from equal parts raw, unfiltered honey and turmeric are helpful to strengthen immunity.
- Take 1 tsp. of the paste every couple of hours.
Lemon, ginger, turmeric, and honey tea as well.
Oil your body with warm sesame or almond oil – daily. It’s amazing how quickly that can help ground us. In fact, Ayurveda says it is one of the quickest ways to calm down the nervous system.

A simple breathing practice to reduce stress:

Breathe in for 5 counts, hold the breath in for 6 counts, and exhale for 7 counts.
Repeat and practice for 1 – 3 minutes. It’s worth trying. It works!

Weekly Classes:

Tuesday, Vibrant Living – a Gentle/chair yoga class 9-10:15am
Wednesday, All Levels Yoga – 8:30-10am.
Thursday, Kundalini Yoga for Anyone 6-7:15pm

Yoga and Ayurveda for Spring – Kapha Season coming April 6-10. 3 spots left

In closing, I send strength and healing thoughts to all,

Deb

Tuning Inside to Steady Us

by Deborah Keene | Oct 29, 2019 | Practice, Seasonal Events, Yoga

Fall can be a dicey time of year.

Nature pulls on us to slow down; quiet down.

Yet, holidays are coming around the corner. So how can we remain calm with enough energy to help see us through the next few weeks?

We are told that true strength and stability lies within.

Creating the conditions inside ourselves to provide the strength and resilience we need is always an inside job. My teachers have taught me that if I remain committed to my daily practice, the rest of my day will unfold in its own way and will take care of itself. I have found this to be true.

A simple daily practice that includes moving energy and our spines, attention to our breathing, and connecting to the truth of who we are can help us remain steady and strong through the daily ups and downs.

Helping support people on their own journey through life is one of the areas I focus on in all of my offerings. This includes suggestions for creating simple practices that are easy to incorporate into your daily lives.

Just five minutes a day can go a long way to shoring us up.

COMING UP!

Monthly Reset:
Slowing Down, Tuning In ~Coming back into balance

this Friday, November 1, 6:30-8:30am

Tea is served. $25.Please e-mail to register ayuyoga@fairpoint.net (Minimum of 6 people needed to hold this offering)

Women’s Full Moon Gathering

Tuesday, – November 12^th 6-8:00pm

The full moon is a powerful time – our practices and discussions will be dedicated to our radiance.

“Like a woman who has found her authenticity, November’s beauty radiates from within.” –Sarah Ban Breathnach

Tea is served. $25. Please e-mail to register ayuyoga@fairpoint.net (Minimum of 6 women needed to hold this offering)

Also, Weekly classes:

Tuesday, Vibrant Living 9-10:15am
Wednesday, All Levels Yoga 8:30-10am
Thursday, Kundalini Yoga for Anyone 6-7:15pm

Individual Ayurvedic Wellness Consultations – by appt.

Here’s to our well-being and peace of mind.

Intuition of Woman

by Deborah Keene | Oct 8, 2019 | Uncategorized, Women, Yoga

One of the gifts of being a woman is our deep sense of inner knowing: our Divine Guidance. When we are tuned into our intuition we simply “know” what is right for us and what isn’t. We “know” the answers to our questions more easily and are able to sift through the muck and confusion in our minds when faced with making decisions. There is much less second guessing.

We recognize when situations and opportunities present themselves that are important for us to pay attention to. We learn to trust ourselves more. Our self-confidence improves. Our self-esteem grows. Life becomes more simple. What a relief!

Intuition: “The ability to understand something immediately without the need for conscious reasoning.”
“A thing that one knows or considers, likely from instinctive feelings rather than from conscious reasoning.”

In the past I made some of my decisions based on fear and/or confusion. Many times the choices I made were not in my best interest. I used to try and make myself be alright with certain situations and people. The truth is, there were times I was not ok, yet I let my mind override my deep intelligence. I struggled with not knowing which way to go and what to do. My attention was more focused on external things which took me away from the source of my deep strength and inner knowing. This opened me up for insecurities, unsettled feelings, and confusion. It’s not that way for me anymore. At least not very often.

To develop and access our intuition we need to tune into ourselves daily. We need to move energy and clear energetic blocks so our life-force energy, our prana, can rise up and feed the higher glands in our bodies. (The pituitary gland is the “seat” of our intuition.) We need to “clean” the mind with yogic exercises and other techniques to help us develop a more neutral, meditative mind.

We need to sit in silence.

The chatter in the mind must be quieted so we can hear the Divine’s guiding voice. Women, if you can relate to some of the struggles I have had, I invite you to come to the next Women’s Morning Retreat, dedicated to strengthening our sensitivity, our awareness, and our connection to our own highest authority: Our Intuition – “The Voice of the Soul”

Women’s Morning Retreat: Intuition of Woman,
Silence and Deep Listening
Saturday, December 7, 9-Noon
$60.

I will share the teachings and practices that have proven to be so helpful for me in navigating life and living in alignment with my own truth. Our morning together will be soulful, empowering, and relaxing. Not to mention we will most likely laugh a bit and that these practices really do work!! I can attest to that!

I hope you will consider joining me. I love sharing with and learning from other women in a calm, supportive, healing environment. That is what this morning will be about. You will leave with practices you can easily incorporate into your daily life that will set you on your way of knowing more deeply your own truth.

The retreat consists of yogic exercises, including from the Kundalini Yoga tradition, meditation, chanting, and silence. Also included: handouts, tea, snacks, and supportive e-mails.

At the Ayurveda Yoga Center, 91 Stevens Pond Road, Liberty. For more information and to register please contact: Deborah Keene at 207-589-4254 or ayuyoga@fairpoint.net.