Acharya Shunya’s Short Balance Meditation for the Equinox
The equinox is a day of balance and grounding, when day and night are the same in length; when darkness meets light and we are halfway to the summer solstice. It’s the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, ushering in a season of abundance and lushness, when the snow melts and the buds begin to return to the trees. What a joyous time of year to ground into practice and find steadiness in the changing of the season!
Find below a beautiful and simple balancing practice from SYF2023 presenter Acharya Shunya. Acharya Shunya is a truth-teller who facilitates authenticity, self-remembrance, and divine feminine pathways to awakening within through her goddess teachings, Ayurveda, Yoga, and Advaita Vedanta. The first female head of her spiritual lineage, which goes back 2000 years in India, Shunya reinterprets and re-contextualizes ancient teachings for modern times, empowering people everywhere to lead fearless, fulfilled, and enlightened lives. She is the author of 3 bestselling books, and the founder of Awakened Self Foundation, with international headquarters in California, that offers onsite and online courses to awaken health and consciousness to seekers worldwide. Shunya makes ancient scriptural wisdom accessible and applicable to modern lives and western minds.
Learn from her in person at our 10-year anniversary celebration in April! Passes available here.
Yin Yoga is an antidote to the fast pace of life — especially a post-pandemic reality where many of us are on edge, living in a constant state of hypervigilance. In Yin Yoga we practice surrender, acceptance and settling into stillness. Poses are practiced on the floor, and centered on hip and heart openers. The instruction is to settle into stillness and remain in the pose for anywhere from three to five minutes. This gives our nervous system time to relax into a parasympathetic state of rest and digest. It gives our connective tissue and fascia time to release. And it gives our mind time to drop into the space between the breaths, where pure consciousness resides.
Once in the yin yoga pose, bring your attention to the breath. Slow the breath down and drop into the space between the inhale and the exhale and the exhale and the inhale. That’s the place where we drop into our true nature — love. “I am loving awareness” a mantra shared by Ram Dass, helps us remember our true nature. When our mind is quiet, when we drop into the space between the breaths, no thoughts arise. Just loving awareness. Yin Yoga is a meditation of loving awareness, surrender and acceptance.
It’s our human nature to take on stress. It takes time to shed layers of tension. We hold onto events, and we store their imprints in our bodies. Most of the time we are unaware that we are tensing our muscles. Tension becomes the norm. As we stay in these long held postures we shed tension much like a snake sheds its skin. We let it slough off and let go of what no longer serves us. And when we let go of what no longer serves us we make room for what does.
Yin yoga gives us the time to allow our bodies to release and let go. Deep change happens on a physical and emotional level. In that way, Yin yoga is grounding and centering. With grounding and centering comes peace and quiet. When our mind and bodies relax, we access our true self. Our false ego falls away and we soften into who we really are.
As translated by Nischala Joy Devi, The Secret Power of Yoga, Patanjali writes in Sutras 1.2 and 1.3 that, “Yoga is the uniting of consciousness in the heart. United in the heart, consciousness is steadied, then we abide in our true nature — joy.” That is, it’s our nature to be distracted by thought after thought. When we move quickly from action to action, our mind moves quickly too. Often we are doing one thing and thinking about something else. Our culture demands us to go, go, go. Our culture often associates rest and stillness with laziness and uselessness. But we have to slow down and cultivate awareness of our true self to experience life fully in each moment. To live from a place of love, to live from our hearts.
Practicing Yin Yoga steers us in the direction of ease and stillness. The more we experience a quiet mind, practice acceptance and surrender to what is, the more we live in a place of loving awareness and joy. As more and more of us find a sense of peace and authenticity, and live from our hearts, our culture will transition to one of truth, consciousness and love.
It’s been a decade of transformation and purposeful gathering at the Sedona Yoga Festival! This April 27–30 marks our 10-year anniversary celebration. As we look toward the event and the incredible offerings we have lined up, we’re pausing in gratitude to explore how we got here, and honoring the people who have made SYF so special over the years. We caught up with Crisanto Santa Ana and Alan Alcid to share some of their experience.
Crisanto and Alan are not only presenters, but also have captured the spirit of SYF over the years in photos and videos. Over the years they have not only helped create the energy of the event with their offerings, but have told the story of the Conference as it has evolved.
What is your history with SYF?
Crisanto: I’ve been involved with the Sedona Yoga Festival since 2014. I’ve been mostly a presenter. I DJ’ed yoga classes for world renowned teachers at Sedona Yoga Festival, dance parties, and concerts. Throughout the years I’ve also created many of SYFY’s promo videos as I am also a filmmaker.
Alan: I started as an attendee. I volunteered some work and, there’s only one word that sums up everything in my experience: synchronicity. I was a photographer for quite some time, and I love it. And now I’m a presenter. I have so much gratitude to [SYF Producer] Heather for trusting me as a photographer, trusting me now as a presenter, and also for giving me an opportunity as a new teacher when I first started. Also for opening this festival to all genders, all races, and really being authentic in her vision to to give everyone an opportunity to share the love of yoga! That’s so needed at this moment in time and what’s going on in our world.
What is a standout SYF moment — teaching, experiential, or both?
Crisanto: There are many standout moments at SYF however, one experience I recall was when they brought out Tao Porchon-Lynch to teach. She even did a salsa dance performance at one of the concerts.
Alan: The festival has evolved so much. One thing that really allows for people to have a truly profound experience is the unity. The unity of the team, but also the students, the presenters, the artists, everyone and the Sedona Yoga Festival. Being one collective — doesn’t matter what gender, where you came from, new students, old teachers, new teachers. But just being one in this festival is so profound to see that and experience it.
What makes SYF different from other festivals that you have attended or worked?
Crisanto: SYF is truly an epic experience. I love how it takes place in the magical vortexes of Sedona. The teachers that they invite are truly amazing!
Alan: The 2022 Sedona Yoga Festival was a huge turnaround, a huge shift, a significant shift, and it was amazing. Heather put together a team that opened up new possibilities to really shift, open up, and change what a festival is and could be. And I’m so looking forward to Sedona Yoga Festival 2023, “Emerge to Imagine.”
SYF has long been at the forefront of conversations that move our community forward. In what ways have you experienced this?
Crisanto: The programs, classes, teachers they have are IMO cutting edge, progressive and really provokes our community to move forward. I’ve experienced this by taking classes at SYF and also being part of the team.
Alan: Being one collective — doesn’t matter what gender, where you came from, new students, old teachers, new teachers. But just being one in this festival is so profound to see that and experience it.
Why are you proud to be a part of SYF, both over the years and during the 2023 event?
Crisanto: I am proud to be part of SYF! Heather and her team always brings a transformational experience not only to the attendees but to her team as well! I am very much proud to be part of 2023 SYF!
Alan: I’m proud to be part of the Sedona Yoga Festival over the years because over the years I saw the growth and the changes. We’ve learned so much from the past and we moved forward to the future. It’s an amazing experience overall to see how everyone works hard behind the scene. Prior to the festival, there’s already things going back and forth — from the SYF Angels, to the organizers behind the scene, to the presenters, to the artists. So much collaboration going on, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.
Join us for our 10-year anniversary celebration April 27–30! Tickets on sale now.
As our world moves forward at what feels like the speed of light — but certainly the speed of texting — it can feel overwhelming to keep up with all the digital communiques. Email, social messages, messaging apps, texts… there’s no shortage of research that shows that the overstimulation of the way we share news and updates can be not only exasperating, but even harmful for our brain. The Mayo Clinic refers to this as “cognitive overload,” but for those of us who take seriously the mindfulness practices of stillness and presence, the constant dings and need for response is an inherent challenge. What ever happened to good old-fashioned marketing efforts?
The idea that “marketing,” as a concept, can be old-fashioned is perhaps a bit of a stretch — indeed, how many decades must something be in existence before we consider it to be endemic to a bygone era? What could possibly still be a meaningful way to get your brand or service out into the world that doesn’t rely on the digital space? Enter: sticker marketing.
As a child of the 90s, I remember plastering my Lisa Frank Trapper Keepers with free stickers of all kinds. Some I couldn’t even bring myself to use — I still have stacks of bespoke stickers from my favorite stores and coffeeshops from the town in which I grew up. There’s something magical about sticker communication. It’s graffiti, but semi-temporary. It’s art, but accessible. It’s marketing, but it’s fun. Who doesn’t have a fond memory of some object in which stickers played a prominent role?
For his birthday, a friend of mine got stickers made up by Sticker Mule for her partner’s birthday, in which she plastered their dog’s face all over their city. Every time I walk by one now — two years later — I smile. A sticker out in the wild with which you have a personal association is a special secret between yourself and everyone else’s interpretation of your art.
As a small business owner, I call back to those childhood propensities to plaster my notebooks, and rather than relying solely on the digital space for marketing, prefer to plaster my messages in the real world. Stickering is a great way to advertise yoga class, or an upcoming workshop, or a website. Art can be flashy or simple — it’s like a cooler business card that carries its own out in the world. SYF is no different. We love sharing our annual sticker with our attendees — and get absolutely tickled when we see them on water bottles or yoga mat bags or TT binders years later. And when we create them, we always go with our favorite fine sticker maker, Sticker Mule.
If you’re a yoga or mindfulness professional, rather than throwing spaghetti at the digital wall, try sharing your message with something that sticks. Literally.
Want your SYF2023 sticker? Don’t miss your chance to join us for our 10-year anniversary celebration April 27–30! Passes available here.
Sedona Yoga Festival vanguard presenter Hemalayaa Behl is a Life Enhancement Coach and Mentor. Passionate about leading women to their own truth as well as inspiring a yogic lifestyle, her work inspires and motivates thousands of women to live healthy and joyful lives. She provides tools to break down barriers that hold us back from experiencing a powerful spiritual connection, and hosts her own TV show, “Bolly Blast”, bringing fitness to a whole new level of fun through yoga and dance. Hemalayaa has been featured in numerous publications such as NY Times, Origin, Yoga Journal, LA Times, and Shape, as well as on the talk shows Ellen, Lisa Oz, and The Today Show.
We caught up with Hemalayaa to share her experiences with SYF over the past decade, in celebration of our 10-year anniversary in April. We hope you’ll join us this April 27–30! Tickets are on sale now.
What is your history with SYF?
I have been a presenter first and simultaneously an attendee. Being a presenter at the Sedona Fest is extraordinary — to be held in these incredible mountains, as well as to hold our community coming together to “do the work/play” in this ideal location. A stand-out moment at SYF is teaching outside in the cleavage of these incredible mountains while we are dancing, moving, breathing and meditating …and looking all around us to be held by this extraordinary magical place.
What makes SYF different from other festivals that you have attended or worked?
The Sedona Yoga Festival is a one-of-a-kind event that distinguishes itself from other festivals in several ways. Firstly, the festival is held in the stunning red rock landscape of Sedona, Arizona, providing a breathtaking backdrop for attendees to practice yoga and connect with nature. Additionally, the festival offers a diverse array of classes and workshops, taught by master yoga instructors from all over the world, emphasizing the deepening of our practice and learning new techniques.
What sets the Sedona Yoga Festival apart is its focus on creating a supportive and inclusive community. The festival offers a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, encouraging attendees to connect with others who share their passion for yoga. Additionally, the festival offers a variety of opportunities for attendees to connect with local businesses and organizations that align with their values, making it a unique and immersive experience.
Lastly, the Sedona Yoga Festival is dedicated to promoting wellness and sustainability, offering eco-friendly options and promoting environmentally responsible practices. This focus on sustainability sets the festival apart from other events and demonstrates the commitment to creating a positive impact on both the local community and the planet.
Overall, the Sedona Yoga Festival is a truly special event that combines breathtaking natural beauty, world-class yoga instruction, a supportive and inclusive community, and a commitment to sustainability to create a truly unforgettable experience.
SYF has long been at the forefront of conversations that move our community forward. In what ways have you experienced this?
One year I was part of a panel…with the conversation being about Public Profile Vs Personal Practice. It was a juicy conversation and perfectly curated 🙂
I am proud to be a part of SYF because it is always evolving and growing with a honoring of the master teachers as well as newer teachers who are stepping into really honoring the lineages and being integral for yoga teachings and philosophy.
Learn from Hemalayaa alongside other luminaries at our 10-year anniversary celebration, April 27–30, 2023. Tickets are available here.
Lead image: Hemalayaa & DTO Music at SYF2022. Photo credit: Ty Dobbs.
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