In this series of informal talks given during his travels to teach yoga around the world. Chuck Miller the former director of the original Yoga Works in Santa Monica, California. Shares his knowledge on a wide range of the more deeper and subtle aspects of yoga.
SURYA NAMASKARA IS A MOVING PRAYER
IT IS THE ACTION OF WORSHIPPING THE SUN
Surya is the Indian name for the form of God represented by the Sun, the figure of Supreme Truth and Knowledge; The Awakener of Consciousness.
Namaskara is the action of bowing in reverence.
Traditionally, SuryaNamaskara is done facing East in the morning before the sun has risen. It is important to practice cleansed and empty, presentable to the divine and ready to receive.
This is no ordinary act. Your full power of attention focused on the present moment, “Atha!” (1.1)
Dive deep within yourself to discover the power of the sun, “Surya,” that resides in every cell and impulse of who and what you are. Know that Surya is within you and outside of you. Know that you and the sun truly are One.
Move slowly with awareness. Movement and breath intimately liked together. As the breath becomes deeper and slower the movements also follow in the same way.
No hurry. Lengthening the breath is symbolic of, and has the actual effect of, increasing consciousness, presence, and lengthening the life span. The breath is a reflection of the cosmic inhale and exhale; the creation and dissolution of all things in the Universe. Cosmic and mundane arise from the same laws.
© Chuck Miller
“I don’t know exactly when I first got interested in yoga. It seems the urge was there from a very early age. I think that is true for many of us. We don’t know what it is that is calling us and yet we definitely feel it. What is interesting is what makes us answer the call! What you can no longer ignore”.
Chuck Miller began practicing yoga in 1971, and studied the Ashtanga vinyasa method of practice and its underlying philosophical system one-on-one with its founder, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, for over 18 years beginning in 1980. By practicing and teaching the method before, during and after the yoga boom, he has developed a simple, effective approach that changes the lives of those who do it.
Chuck enjoys teaching with a focus on the holistic nature of Ashtanga yoga, presenting it as a philosophical system as well as a strong practical method. Chuck is known for his gentle but deliberate hands-on adjustments which are both reassuring and challenging.
Yoga teacher since 1988, Chuck is a former Director of Ashtanga Yoga and co-owned the original Yoga Works in Santa Monica, CA, for over 16 years. He is frequently traveling and teaching around the world.
CHUCK’S TEACHINGS
ASANA, PHILOSOPHY, ANATOMY, BREATHING
“Today I like to point to what I call “Sama,” as that sameness that exists everywhere. Finding the sameness between Philosophy and Practice continues to inform my practice and thus my teaching”. Chuck
SAMA, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
SOMETHING ABOUT THE BREATH.
« It is said that at first, we must make an effort to practice, and we strive to become a yogi.
When you become a yogi then everything you do is Yoga! » Chuck.
To know more about Chuck Miller please visit his website Sama-Ashtanga.org
Upcoming Events of Chuck Miller
Reflexions by Chuck : Ahimsa, Namasté and more
Important Note: To know more about Chuck or register for any of his workshops please kindly visit his website Sama-Ashtanga.org. This is not his website, so we don’t take any registration here. To register for his workshops you need to go directly to his site and contact event host for further information dates, cost, locations and registration. All the details are on his official website Sama-Ashtanga.org. Enjoy!