Yoga — Blog — downward fox

Posts in Yoga

Meditation in Movement

Meditation in Movement

I am often asked by friends who know I practice yoga: “do you also meditate”? Most people think of meditation only as something that happens when sitting in lotus, with eyes closed and an expression of great focus. But does that have to be the only way to meditate? What is meditation if not a mindful observation of the self, and being truly present in this moment? When you spend quality time with yourself in solitude it can become your meditation. For me, my daily ashtanga yoga practice is my own meditation in movement. A steady flow of breath connects with the way I move into asanas with awareness and focus. But how do we go from just making shapes into something more, something deeper? Today I wanted to take a look at the most important aspects of asana practice that elevate it into something more meaningful.

YogaMilka Hutna15 July 2020yoga, Mindfulness, Meditation, AshtangaComment

Finding Stillness

Finding Stillness

Recently I returned from a two-month trip to Mysore, India. Far away from my normal life, from daily problems, from my well-known routine. I have been returning to India every year to focus on my yoga practice, studying with my teacher, Sharathji. Every time I go, it is a little different, a new experience in its own way. Each time, it feels like my life is on “pause mode”, like the whole world is turning, but I am standing still. Everyone else is continuing with their life and I am suspended somewhere in between. I was looking at how I can use this feeling of stillness, and where can it take me.

Yoga, LifeMilka Hutna21 February 2020yoga, MindfulnessComment

THE PRACTICE OF TAKING REST

THE PRACTICE OF TAKING REST

We have reached the time of year when summer has left us for good. Unfortunately, both on the calendar and off. The shorter days, cooler mornings, and often long patches of rain are upon us. But it is also a time of new beginnings, the beginning of Autumn, the beginning of the school year, the return to work after our holidays. In the perfect world we should all be well-rested after our holidays, and return with new passion and energy to our daily life. But is this always the truth? Do we still know how to truly take rest? Today, I wanted to have a closer look at the practice of taking rest.

Life, Yoga, TravelMilka Hutna25 September 2019yoga, MindfulnessComment

How to keep your Yoga Mojo

How to keep your Yoga Mojo

Let’s focus on ways to stay inspired and motivated over the years, on how to maintain a balanced yoga practice. As time goes by and life happens, with all its ups and downs, it is easy to stumble somewhere on the way. You might find you practice less, skip days and at some point, just lose that sparkle you once felt. So, how do we keep our Yoga Mojo?

Yoga, LifeMilka Hutna7 August 2019yoga, Stay positive, Yoga FilosophyComment

Santosha on Valentine’s Day - Finding contentment and happiness in love

Santosha on Valentine’s Day - Finding contentment and happiness in love

Hello February 14th! As today we celebrate Valentine’s Day, a holiday of love, I wanted to speak a little bit about my little love story, and how living a life of yoga has influenced my relationship.

Yoga, LifeMilka Hutna14 February 2019Love, Valentine's Day, Life, SantoshaComment

Finding balance on the mat

Finding balance on the mat

Finding balance in your yoga practice in not easy, and I don’t mean balancing on one leg in tree pose. I want us to consider balance on different levels, being able to see what is good for you, what really serves your body, your mind, and where is your limit.

YogaMilka Hutna31 January 2019Yoga, BalanceComment

YOGA IN THE SNOW

YOGA IN THE SNOW

It’s the end of January, seems like winter has been here forever and is still not going anywhere. So why not embrace it and enjoy the cold, the snow and winter altogether? Today, I wanted to share with you my love for real winter and the mountains. As a yoga student and teacher I am surrounded by people from the yoga „clique”, and there is one main question that is often asked in wintertime: can yogis enjoy skiing?

Yoga, TravelMilka Hutna25 January 2019winter, yogaComment

End of Year Reflections & Resolutions

End of Year Reflections & Resolutions

Today is the last day of the year, everyone is making New Year’s Eve party plans and keeping busy. As I drink my morning coffee, I am taking a moment to reflect on this year that is passing us by. What am I thankful for? Where have I stumbled, what could I do better next year? And I make my resolutions, it is the perfect moment to reflect.

Yoga, Travel, LifeMilka Hutna31 December 2018New Year, New Year resolutionsComment

Yoga & Christmas

Yoga & Christmas

One of my Yoga teachers said, that if someone thinks they have reached enlightenment through yoga, then they should spend a few days at Christmas with their family or family in-law. Nothing better to put you back on track. So, don’t expect this holiday season to be perfect, but appreciate it as it is and learn how to keep your calm. Today I wanted to share with you some ideas of how we can use yoga as a tool to help us during a Family Christmas.

Yoga, ChristmasMilka Hutna21 December 2018Yoga, Christmas, Yoga Filosophy, Stay positiveComment

Yoga off the mat

Yoga off the mat

Lately we hear a lot about people practicing yoga off the mat, but what does that really mean? Is it doing asanas on the street, beach or in the park? Nope, not exactly.

Read my blog post to find out how you can practice yoga off the mat!

YogaMilka Hutna30 November 2018Yoga, Yoga FilosophyComment

Going out of your comfort zone - on and off the mat

Going out of your comfort zone - on and off the mat

The asana practice is not all sun salutations and pretty postures in which you can manage a smile, there are hard moments, hard times. We are trying to keep a steady ujjayi breath through the whole series, but some positions are so intense for the body and mind that this is not simple. Many people ask why do you do these crazy positions every day? Why the struggle, why put yourself through that? For me the answer is simple…

YogaMilka Hutna13 August 2018YogaComment

Yoga & Travel

Yoga & Travel

As summer has finally arrived and the holiday season is upon us, it’s a good moment to talk about keeping a regular yoga practice while away. Is rolling out your travel yoga mat easy or not so much?

How to keep a steady practice while traveling? Whether it’s a summer holiday, a work-related trip or maybe just family visit, it’s important to know how to stay motivated to keep up with your regular practice.

Yoga, TravelMilka Hutna11 July 2018Yoga, Travel, MotivationComment

Going deeper into the yoga practice “AHIMSA – NON-HARM”

Going deeper into the yoga practice “AHIMSA – NON-HARM”

When most people hear you’re practicing yoga, they think only of the asana practice: beautiful, skinny yogis doing really advanced postures. But the asana practice is only one of the eight limbs of yoga. Practicing Ashtanga Yoga means practicing all of the eight limbs. With this post I’m starting a short a series dedicated to how I understand the first two limbs of Ashtanga Yoga: the Yamas and Niyamas.

YogaMilka Hutna25 May 2018Yoga, Yoga FilosophyComment

YOGA & KINDNESS: Practicing kindness on and off the mat

YOGA & KINDNESS: Practicing kindness on and off the mat

Sometimes the worst day can change around with a stranger’s smile. The smallest things, the tiny moments are what matter the most. I try to live each day, remembering to spread a little kindness around to others; family, friends or total strangers…

YogaMilka Hutna26 April 2018Yoga, Ashtanga, Mindfulness, KindnessComment

Mysore Magic - Part 3 "The Practice"

Mysore Magic - Part 3 "The Practice"

In the last few posts I shared with you how I felt the "Mysore Magic" during my trip to India, today a bit more on this topic...It is 4:30 am Monday morning: waking up for morning led class, walking to the shala in the dark, sitting in a long line down the street to the shala. It might seem a bit insane to those that haven’t done it.

Yoga, TravelMilka Hutna13 April 2018Yoga, Ashtanga, Mysore, IndiaComment

Manju Jois, the most positive yoga teacher

Manju Jois, the most positive yoga teacher

A few days ago, I finished my fifth workshop with one of my favourite Ashtanga Yoga teachers. As both a yoga student and teacher myself, I strongly feel we need to be constantly inspired to keep our own practice and teachings on the highest level. One teacher training course will never make a great yoga teacher, it is a lifetime journey we have to commit to, and I am on it all the way and not turning back.

YogaMilka Hutna30 March 2018Yoga, Ashtanga