Thrive Trauma-Informed Yoga

As I chanted the closing mantra to my last yoga practice of 2024 this morning, I contemplated setting the year down gently with equal parts relief and gratitude.

The Mangala mantra is a prayer found in the ancient scriptures the “Rig Veda” and is the closing mantra chanted at the end of Ashtanga yoga practice. It is a reminder that our yoga practice is, at its essence, for the benefit of all beings. I love chanting it, even if my practice was abbreviated or challenging in ways I had not anticipated.

I’d like to offer its intention for peace and protection to you as we enter this new year. May your 2025 be sweet🫀

Om svasthiprajābhyah paripālayantām nyāyena mārgena mahīm mahiśah gobrāhmanebhyah śubhamastu nityam lokāh samastāh sukhinobhavanthu  
Om shantih shantih shantih 

May all be well with mankind.
May the leaders of the earth protect it in every way by keeping to the right path.
May there be goodness for those who know the earth to be sacred.
May all the worlds be happy.
Peace, peace, peace.
—Interpretation by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

Full circle story: is one of the teachers who made me fall in love with yoga when I was a Bikram Yoga practitioner in the early 2000’s. She generously gifted me a weekend of Yoga Anatomy training with .kaminoff . I am so grateful for all the mind blowing “ahas”and rekindling the deep joy I feel when delving into yoga nerdom.

One of Leslie’s quotes which aligns beautifully with how I view yoga and psychotherapeutic change:

“Healing is different from fixing or curing. Often, healing involves changing your relationship to what has gone wrong.”

Thank you, and .kaminoff and for a wonderful and enriching weekend!

(Classroom photos by Lydia Mann)

Grateful for the practice that continues to sustain, challenge and nourish me.