The Bhagavad Gita tells us that humans, as well as all other things in Nature, have a mixture of Sattwa, and its companions, Rajas and Tamas. These three Maha Gunas (qualities) determine our behavior, actions, thoughts and emotions.

Sattwa is clarity, light, purity and wakefulness. It is stability, essence, compassion and love. Sattwa is required for our mental and physical health, and is the path to personal evolution and spiritual maturity. 

Learning to sit….

1. Environment matters
Find a clean, quiet space in your home where you can sit undisturbed, away from the distractions and pressures of the external world.
The air should be clean, fresh and well ventilated but not breezy.

2. Cleanliness is a factor
Your face, hands and feet should feel clean and fresh, adding a certain respect and vibrancy to your practice. If you practice meditation in the morning, you will want to evacuate your bladder and bowels first.

Modern society is so super advanced - we can thank science & technology for so many inventions over the past 200 years! However, our personal and spiritual evolution, our ability to be content and fulfilled hasn’t growth past our ancestors from the Stone Age. We still exhibit anger, greed, jealousy, ego and insatiable desires. Our mind constantly spins with anger over past experiences, anxiety and fear over what may come to pass. We have lost sight of the beauty that exists, ever present, in the here and now.

I have been dancing with yoga for over a decade and still don't know who is leading! It brought me out of a depression in college when I struggled to get out of bed. It kept me moving (through breath focus) when I was standing at attention in Army Basic Training. It held me accountable when I cut off my own body's needs to get the mission done. Yoga saved my humanity in war.

Everyone has a self-image or self-concept about themselves that either presents them in a positive or negative light. What you think about yourself is ultimately portrayed on the forefront as your body image. As the term suggests “body-positive” basically means having a positive perception about your body. However, people of various body types exist and hence the definition may vary from person to person. What it all boils down to is the fact that you love yourself and accept oneself as the way you are, believe in yourself with compassion.

Learn how this ancient but widely unknown yoga practice can enhance your life.

I learned about yoga nidra during my yoga teacher training as most of us do but the practice really stood out for me. 

I've been a massage therapist for over a dozen years and have seen how stress and overwhelm can harm a persons health.

Enjoy this interview by www.MindfulYogaHealth.com and get to know more about Tracee!

Tracee Stanley teaches a breath-centered vinyasa practice, curated to leave you in a sattvic state (AKA “blissed out”). In true LA fashion, she moonlights as a film producer, and now combines her two passions by being partner in the yoga media company, Pranamaya. 

What makes your style of teaching unique?

One of the most amazing books that I was introduced to several years ago during my yoga therapy certification was “You’re Body Speaks Your Mind,” by Deb Shapiro. Since reading this book the very first time it has remained at my bedside and weekly I go to it for answers and inspiration.

Tips to stay balanced .........AND not lock your kids in the closet!

The Yoga Path
“If flexibility were the secret to yoga, certainly contortionists would be the greatest Yogi's and Yogini's. Regrettably, this is not the case,” Yogi Baba Prem.

Most people when the word yoga is mentioned the first thing that comes to mind is asana practice, but asana practice is only a small part of the practice of yoga.