There is a beautiful saying in yoga: \u201cWhen the student is ready, the teacher appears.\u201d
Recently I travelled to Byron Bay for a week of rest, practice and learning. Rather than taking a holiday from yoga, I became a student again. I attended classes, explored new ideas, found inspiration, purchased my first professional harmonium and began studying Vedic chanting with Alice. For me, this isn\u2019t about becoming a musician. It is about becoming a better yoga teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Sthira Yoga Academy in Mittagong<\/a> my vision has always been much larger than teaching physical Many people first encounter yoga through movement. But for thousands of years, yoga has also been In the Vedic tradition, the vibration, rhythm and pronunciation of Sanskrit are considered practices that One of the highlights of my Byron Bay trip was purchasing a handcrafted Bhava Harmonium from A finely tuned instrument does more than sound beautiful. It supports accurate pitch, smoother accompaniment and creates an atmosphere that invites students to settle into practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I wanted to invest in something that will serve our community for many years. Like every part of yoga, quality matters\u2014not because we seek perfection, but because we wish to create an experience that helps people arrive fully in the present moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing I admire about great yoga teachers is that they never stop being students. That is why I have begun taking Vedic chanting lessonswith Alice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning proper pronunciation, rhythm and traditional melody takes time. Rather than simply playing a harmonium, I want to understand the tradition well enough to share it respectfully and confidently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every lesson reminds me that teaching yoga is not about already knowing everything. It is about remaining curious enough to keep learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beginning this Sunday, our Yoga Church community will spend the first few weeks learning one simple chant together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phonetic pronunciation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
postures. Yoga is an entire tradition that includes movement, breath, meditation, philosophy, community
and sound. This next chapter allows me to share a little more of that tradition with our Southern Highlands community.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Mantra Matters in Yoga<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
practised through sound. Mantra is not simply singing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
cultivate attention, steadiness and presence. Whether viewed spiritually or simply through the lens
of modern neuroscience, slowing the breath and producing sustained vocal sound can encourage a
calmer nervous system and greater feelings of connection. This is one reason chanting has remained part of yoga traditions for centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMy New Bhava Harmonium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Harmonium Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\nContinuing to Learn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our First Sunday Morning Chant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n