Category: Foundation One Course

Prana – The Driving Force of Life

Prashna Upanishad – The Driving Force of Life Written by: Kim Wohlen The study of Upanishads provides one with a foundational understanding of Hindu philosophy and culture. The sincere seeker gains a greater understanding of the meaning of life, relevant thousands of years ago to present time. It addresses concepts of human existence such as karma, bondage, the ultimate self, liberation, bliss, God and the Universe. Some souls seem to seek answers to burning questions […]

The Spinal Column

Anatomy and Function of The Spinal Column As we evolved as a species from four-legged creatures to two, our spinal columns adapted to support the weight of our heads. We developed a series of curvatures in the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine and sacral spine. You can think of these series of curvatures as alternating C shapes that come together in perfect harmony to support weight distribution. In our Yoga practices, it is essential to […]

Obstacles On The Yogic Path

Sarvesh and I have a common phrase in our household. It goes something like this: “your Antarayas are showing again!” It often appears through self-justification or avoiding something that would benefit our highest self and make us feel truly uplifted. Some examples are: Foregoing exercise or yoga practice, isolating, blaming, procrastination, etc.. This is self-sabotage behavior. We all exhibit it from time to time. Can you relate? What are Antarayas? According to Maharishi Patanjali, codifier of the Yoga […]

My First Yoga Class

Whether you think you’re inflexible, have a racing mind or have never tried it, know that Yoga is for everyone! At Ripple Yoga we teach to the wholly integrated experience that goes beyond just the physical practice. Yoga means union and a return to oneness with our true self. The teachings and practices create the framework to allow us to experience this. Sarvesh explains it here, in the video titledYes, You Can Do Yoga! Sarvesh […]

What is Your Intention?

 We have a saying in the Gitananda tradition: “Where the mind goes, the Prana (energy) flows.”   When I came to know this expression, my first thought was “uh oh!” Then I asked myself honestly: “Are my thoughts based in fear or love?” By becoming aware of the thought patterns, good or bad, we can choose to direct the current of energy elsewhere if it is not serving our highest good.    This is where […]

What Are The Yamas & Niyamas?

The Yamas and Niyamas as outlined in Maharishi Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are considered to be the foundation of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. The Yoga Sutras as a whole can teach us how our consciousness and understanding of ourselves and others evolves overtime. It provides necessary insight and understanding into the realm of human existence and provides us with a roadmap in which to journey through life. The Yamas & Niyamas are like the road […]

Our Stories – The Unifying Force

Our Story and Purpose Namaste Kim and I met “by chance” at a Yoga festival in Stratton Vermont during the summer of 2015. Kim recalls:  “I just remember him talking about his plans to study at an ashram and how passionate he was about sharing yoga with his students at his Seattle studio. It was an instant connection and I felt that we were on similar paths as I was seeking answers to questions weighing […]

Enter Here if You Are Happy

Namaste Ripple Yoga Community We are collectively creating a Ripple Effect in humanity, an underlying movement of self-realization that has the power to make the world a better place! Our lineage teaches that Health and Happiness are our birthrights, and we should not allow anyone or anything to infringe upon them. This is a huge part of the practice of the Yamas and Niyamas, which we discuss frequently in our virtual studio throughout the curriculum. […]

The Lineage Matters

Namaste Ripple Yoga Community When we step on the path, we consciously evolve and join forces with the Universe. This is a gradual process that requires patience, persistence and a connection to a living tradition. In stepping on your path and participating in the courses within Ripple Yoga, you are connecting with the living tradition of Gitananda Yoga. Know that you have gained access to a wealth of information and support. We wish to build […]

Your Breath

The Keys to the Kingdom  As you may have noticed, we place high importance on respiratory health. I want to share a little on that subject and also share my experience with respiratory health. Our breathing accounts for about 80% of our energy and also about 80% of our detoxification. It is super important, and most of our illness stems from poor respiration.  WOW! What we also don’t realize is that the digestive process only […]