Dec 2, 2024 | Sedona Yoga
by Rani Chaves
In The Islands of Tahiti, we are welcoming Matari’ i Ni’a, our season of abundance, of renewal. In ancient times, our ancestors, or tupuna, guided by their supreme knowledge and understanding of Nature, had determined two main seasons: Matari’i i Ni’a, the season of abundance, from November to May, and Matari’ i Raro, the season of scarcity, from May to November.
Marari’i i Ni’a was marked by the arrival of the Pleaides in the night sky. It also coincided with the turtles coming to lay their eggs on the shores, and seasonal flowers blooming after a time of dormancy. All these natural occurrences indicated a great shift, and the dawn of a new year, or Matahiti. Sacred rituals, incantations, dances and offerings were performed by the local communities to celebrate the natural rhythms of Life, honor all the gifts and thank the ancestors and gods.
There was no religion in that time. These meaningful ceremonies were their way to nurture the profound connection to the visible and invisible worlds, from Te P? (the dark night, or the world below) to Te Papa (the layered rock, or foundation) to Te Ra’i (the sky and the heavens).
Oral traditions tell us that the Pleaides represented the original home of the gods and the ancestors. Our lineages are woven into the fabric of the stars, unfolding like a song from the infinite expanse of the celestial realms to our earthly existence.
Our lineages are woven into the fabric of the stars.
Significance in Other Wisdom Traditions
In many ancient civilizations, the Pleiades held a vital role in the dynamics of life and death. In the Vedic tradition, they are portrayed as the wives of the Sapta Rishis, the seven sages and earliest disciples of Lord Shiva. The six visible sisters of the Pleiades symbolize the five senses and the mind, while the mysterious seventh sister represents pure consciousness. Associated with Krittika Nakshatra, the Pleiades are considered the womb of Agni, the fire god, embodying the power to create, birth, and manifest.
In Greek mythology, one version reveals that the Pleiades were the seven nymph-daughters of the Titan Atlas and the Oceanid Pleione. Pleione, protectress of sailing, gave the name Pleaides. Titan Atlas was condemned to hold up the sky for eternity, leaving him powerless to protect his daughters. To shield the sisters from the hunter Orion’s advances, Zeus transformed them into stars. However, legend says that one sister fell in love with a mortal and went into hiding, which is why only six stars are visible.
The Australian Aboriginal’s tales often depicts seven sisters being chased by the morning star, Jukurra-Jukurra. The pursuit continues across the deserts of Australia, and the sisters take refuge in the sky. The Orion constellation is often depicted as chasing the sisters across the night sky.
For the people of the Native American Navajo nation, the Diné, the Pleaides are the most highly ordered constellation, with its form and shape representing the harmony of the heavens. They refer to it as Dilyéhé, a term loosely translated as “Sparkling Figure” or “Sparkling Particles.” It is said to be associated to the Black God, responsible for magnifying the dark skies. In Japan, the Pleaides are called subaru, meaning “to unite” or “to gather,” symbolizing unity and connection; and in Egypt, the Pleaides were the manifestation of the goddess — the divine mother, the light of love.
Divine Bounty
In the end, these stories all carry a similar message, reminding us that everything is connected and that we all are part of this divine theatre of Life. From the depths of darkness, light emerges, much like the Pleiades shining in the night sky. Over time, they fade from view, symbolizing a period of rest and dormancy, known as Matari’i i Raro in Polynesian tradition. Conversely, Matari’i i Ni’a celebrates Nature’s magnetic radiance, her nourishing vitality and bountiful gifts.
During Matari’i i Ni’a, fruits reach their juiciest ripeness, flowers burst into a mesmerizing display of vibrant colors, and the lagoon and ocean overflow with abundance. Nature is at her peak, and we bask in her luminous embrace, making this time deeply connected to strong feminine energy and heightened creativity.
Reflect the Light to Make Space for Rejuvenation
Here in the northern hemisphere as I write this, it is in the light of autumn that I am basking. I love seeing the leaves changing colors, witnessing the trees gracefully transition. Just as they shed their leaves, this season invites us to let go and allow the leaves of the past to drift away; to journey within our inner universe and reconnect with our land of wisdom and the melody of our heart, and to celebrate our inner Thanksgiving. This is a time to let the golden cloak of autumn wrap us, with the gentleness of a mother: “You are loved. You are love. You are light,” she whispers softly.
November is one of my favorite months here, with the celebration of Thanksgiving, the delicious and comforting scent of pumpkin spice lingering in the air, and the Christmas songs playing on the radio. There is some kind of softness and peace, that gently nudges us to slow down, recharge and prepare for rejuvenation. As we reflect on the past months, we contemplate what we have accomplished, learnt and created. And just as the leaves of the past gently fall to the earth, forming a soft mantle over her, we too are called to release what is no longer part of who we are.
And no matter where we are, the shift in seasons invites us to reflect on our inner landscape. What do we need to let go of? What do we need to make room for? How can we mirror the magic and beauty of nature’s delicate balance? How can we align ourselves with the natural rhythms of life rather than a disrupted connection which leads to stress, disease and suffering?
Living our humanity and spirituality is a journey. In a world where we tend to rush everything, this one is not one we want to run through. We want to savour every bite. Is it perfect? Absolutely not! Is it easy? Not always. Is it worth it? Yes, and a million times yes.
There is comfort in the synchronicity that as my home Islands of Tahiti celebrate the new dawn and the new year, in the Northern Hemisphere, we honor autumn and our harvest. Wherever we are, we turn to our inner lands and give thanks for the breath of life that sustains and moves us, for every gift and lesson that make us stronger and wiser, for the guidance always available to us when we create silence and make space to receive.
From the Pleaides to the constellation within, may we embrace the light that we are. May we celebrate our journey and that of our ancestors and may we serve in ways that recognize the majestic theatre of life we are all part of. As above so below, as within so without.
Yoga is Union. Like the Pleiades creating a harmonious order in the night sky, we come together to foster a deeper sense of community, cultivate self-care and self-love and tend to our inner peace and healing. It is a journey and we don’t have to walk it alone. And if you find yourself at a crossroads, if you find that it is time to give your journey a new direction and a fresh impulse, join us in Sedona next year for the Sedona Yoga Festival! Passes are on sale… OR, drum roll please, maybe Tahiti is calling? Mark your calendars for October 3 to 6, 2025, when we will gather in Tahiti for Tahiti Yoga Fest, a sister event to the Sedona Yoga Festival. Stay tuned for more details coming soon.
Lead image by Lisette Cheresson
Nov 8, 2024 | Sedona Yoga
Written by our friends at Bright & Marvelous: Energy Healing School
Visiting Sedona and the surrounding red rock area always feels energizing, to say the least. Those who immerse themselves in the rust-colored mountains describe feelings of comfort, uplift, and sometimes euphoria. What if the majestic view itself was just a fraction of why the area feels magical?
The sandstone that forms Sedona and the surrounding area is made primarily of sand-sized grains of quartz (silicon dioxide), mixed with silica and iron oxide. The latter provides the red tones. When you get up close to Sedona red rock, you will find small pockets of exposed quartz crystal formations that developed over time as the former ocean bed turned into sedimentary rock. They often appear in divots ranging from the size of a quarter to about the size of a palm, nestled into the rock, and often resemble the inside of a crystal geode. You might even find a vein of quartz winding through the stone.
Because most of the quartz formations are affixed snuggly within the stone, they are always under the piezoelectric effect. Piezoelectricity occurs when crystals with that property undergo a mechanical stress, such as a strike or bending, they produce an electrical impulse or signal if the stress is maintained. The reverse is also true, where an electric current running through piezoelectric material will cause it to bend. This property is used to turn quartz fragments into crystal oscillators in watches that create an accurate and consistent frequency for the timepieces.
Healing Bowl Effect
These quartz formations are found all throughout the surround geographical features, resulting in a spectacular array of bouncing light and energy waves. On the west side of Sedona, Thunder Mountain and Coffee Pot rock tower from the north, leaving a valley in between that and the hills leading up to the Airport Vortex. In between, the area of West Sedona is bathed in the pink-toned light and crystal energy like a healing bowl with a constant circulation around the shape of the land.
In Uptown, the Sun’s rays cascade down the crystal-laden hills. Venturing down the winding road towards the Oak Creek visitor’s area, drivers are surrounded by walls of magical red rock on either side. Throughout the Village of Oak Creek, buttes and Bell Rock provide cozy nesting points and resonate with the same vibrancy.
Taking it all in
When visiting Sedona, no matter which spot you find yourself in, you’ll be sure to take in high-vibing sandstone simply by being there. For an enhanced experience, try setting a mindful intention to connect with the local quartz clusters.
Experience how this energy can be magnified through intentional practice and community at the Sedona Yoga Festival in May, 2025! Passes are now on sale. Reserve your place today — pass prices increase by $40 every month!
Lead Image by Danielle Holman
Sep 10, 2024 | Sedona Yoga, Yoga Festival Experience
Lead image by Danielle Holman; words by Lisette Cheresson
If you’ve been to SYF, you know that a large bit of the magic — the sensation of something awakening in your soul, drawing you closer to not only the divine but your personal divine purpose — is augmented by the fact that we’re here, in the energetic vortexes of Sedona. It’s said that the iron in the red rocks interacts with our bodies in ways that actually increase our energy; there’s proposed science behind the idea. While the red rocks were sacred to the Yavapai-Apache nation, according to Visit Sedona, the existence of electromagnetic vortexes was proposed and popularized in the 1970s by spiritual seekers and settlers to the area.
If you’re skeptical about the power of electromagnetic energy influencing your soul, there’s another explanation as to why Sedona feels so special. According to past SYF presenter Pete Sanders, speaking to Visit Sedona:
“Sanders explains that the neuro-stimulating red rocks enhances creative thinking and problem solving; the green cacti, agave and pines provoke a sense of hope and renewal; and the vast blue skies and winding creeks of the region incites a soothing feeling of serenity and purpose.”
Whatever the science, we can speak from experience that something intensely spiritual happens out on those red rocks — particularly when we bring our practice and our prayers. It’s why a Sedona Yoga Festival On-the-Land Immersion is so powerful.
We’re excited to announce that all 2025 Immersions will this year take place out on those sacred rocks, led by local Sedona guides. Immersions are deep-dive workshops and experiences facilitated by leaders who help you tap into the wisdom, personal truth, and healing power of specific aspects of yoga. You told us after our 2024 event that being on the land truly augmented this learning — your feedback is not only appreciated, but implemented.
We want you to experience just how nourishing an Immersion on the red rocks can be, so we’re reserving the Thursday and Monday around the festival for these special events. Be sure to add an extra day to your trip when you’re planning! Programming specifics and teachers will be available soon, but festival passes are available now. Learn more and register here.
Sep 1, 2024 | Sedona Yoga, Sedona Yoga Festival Teacher Feature
When we approach yoga, we often do so in a way that feels fractured — we lay out our mat, and it’s time for asana. We sit on our cushion, and it’s time for meditation. Even if we integrate other practices, such as Ayurvedic rituals before bed, we often think about them as separate to-dos that are to be checked off a list. According to SYF2025 presenter Vaidya. Jayarajan Kodikannath, BSc, BAMS, and Chief Ayurvedic Consultant & Academy Director of Kerala Ayurveda, however, we’re doing ourselves and the practices a disservice by thinking of them as separate activities. “What is lacking,” he says, “is the approach and application of yoga as a system. Yoga is a complete integration of an individual starting from the outer world to their inner world. The whole journey of an individual is yoga,” he says. The honorary title “Vaidya” is a Sanskrit term for a non-codified Ayurvedic doctor who is a part of lineage of Ayurvedic practitioners in the community tradition of Kerala, Southern India, but as teacher and director as well as Ayurvedic practitioner, Vaidya. Jayarajan (known informally to his students as “Dr. J.” for short) brings more to the table — much like the understanding of Ayurveda itself. Ayurveda is often called the sister science of yoga, and primarily associated with the physical self; a prescription for diet, medicine, physical wellbeing. Yet according to Dr. J., it’s much more than that. “It’s not a physically-oriented healing science,” he says. “It’s a science of life.” While we need our physical body for longevity, to clear out the karma accumulated and grow into a self-realized stage, Dr. J. says with a laugh, “Ayurveda covers the body, mind, and emotion. It’s a complete system of healing — physical, mental, emotional, spiritual — at all levels.” It’s a way to work toward continuous contentment, beyond just healing problems, like whack-a-mole, as they come up. Ayurveda, says Dr. J., is a way to stay healthy, harmonious, happy, and peaceful — no matter what challenges life throws your way.
What It Means to Be Harmonious
This all sounds well and good, but in today’s busy, stressed, and tragedy-heavy world, the idea of true harmony may feel like a pipe dream. And yet Ayurveda, and all the Vedic sciences, teach that we are, in fact, always in harmony with nature and the world around us. “The very definition of life in Ayurveda is that nature flows through you without interruption,” says Dr. J. “You are always in relationship with everything — including fellow human beings, animals, birds, plants, nature. Your sustenance is based on an in-sync relationship with nature and its rhythms,” he says. This is true whether we are aware of it or not. When we are aware of it, however, and intentionally living in awarenesses and pursuit of that connection, this is when we feel harmonious in it. This doesn’t mean that we don’t feel pain or darkness. “The reality is that if there is daytime, there will be nighttime,” says Dr. J. “If there is hot summer, there will be cold winter. We must understand that everything is part of one — you cannot have only one aspect of existence.” What the Vedic sciences teach are ways to remain neutral, despite the fluctuations of the external world. “The ultimate state of human mind and emotion is to be able to accept not only the pluses, but the minuses too — and to stay neutral as a witness. From here we are able to be a part of positive changes for a shift in ourselves, our family members, our colleagues, our community. We are able to accept reality and make it better. And this is an individual’s dharma, or purpose,” says Dr. J.
Avoiding Spiritual Bypassing
The emphasis on positivity and creating positive shifts does not mean, however, that we don’t recognize or acknowledge the darkness. “The existence of this cosmos itself is in its disorder,” Dr. J. says. “There is no perfection.” But perfection is in the eye of the beholder — the only way we perceive something to be imperfect is through our mind’s perception. “We generally relate that more money means more happiness; or if I’m in a higher position, I’ll be happier; or if I’m in a good relationship, I’ll be happy. These are all human intellectually-created criteria to be happy. In reality, it is none of this — it is our frame of mind. Shifting that frame of mind is what we need, individually and collectively.” Using Ayurveda to create the experience of inner harmony is exactly what participants can expect to learn from Dr. J. at the Sedona Yoga Festival next May. As we explore how to integrate our practice into our daily lives, Dr. J. will impart what it means to be one cell of the interconnected whole — that is, how we can take care of ourselves in order to be able to move from the whole heart and love others in that place of harmony and healing. Experience this depth of wisdom and knowledge with Dr. J. in May. Passes are on sale now!
Mar 11, 2024 | Sedona Yoga, Yoga Festival Experience
Ty Dobbs is a renowned yoga photographer and conscious content creator, who has been making SYF look good since 2018. His talent lies not only in his ability to curate and create art with shape and light, but also in the energy of his soul, which creates the space for his subject’s true essence to shine through. His work has taken him all over the country, and we’re grateful that he will be returning to SYF in 2024. We sat down with Ty to learn a bit more about his process and his art.
If you’re an SYF presenter and are interested in booking Ty for a private shoot during the event, please reach out to Ty directly!
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SYF: You’re a Texas native. In 2017, you made the move from Dallas to Southern California. How did this journey influence your photography?
Ty Dobbs (TD): This move was big for me. Having studied Joseph Campbell and The Hero’s Journey for years prior, I knew that I was facing my largest threshold yet. With that being said, my photography bloomed out of the experience because I propelled myself into a land of extensive opportunity. From sweeping National Park landscapes, to significant portraiture opportunities. My art grew rapidly once I landed in CA.
SYF: Growing up, you found joy in using cameras to ‘freeze time.’ What is it about photography that continues to captivate you?
TD: Photography always had that magical and fascinating aspect with it growing up. Now, I seek the use of photography (and videography) as a way to express oneself and share a message. I also still value photography as a “time travel hack.” It has the ability to take us back to a distant and forgotten memory… sometimes allowing us to feel the rush of emotions all over again, good or bad.
SYF: You say on your website that you attended “YouTube University.” How has being largely self-taught shaped your approach to photography?
TD: Ah yes, the great YTU. Being nearly 100% self taught means I do not have a conventional way of capturing the moment. It also means a lot of mistakes, but those mistakes are often beautiful in their own way. Instead of going through any formal schooling where I was instructed on the “good and bad,” I was able to determine my own style and answers to each of those labels.
SYF: You describe yourself as a world traveler and a student of life. How has traveling influenced your work, especially in your Vista Views and Memory Moments?
TD: Travel is one of the most potent doses of education I could have asked for on my journey of discovering my craft. It allows endless subjects, experiences, and stories that each leave a lasting mark.
I consider Vista Views and Memory Moments the two pillars of my photography work. Vista Views is my landscape portfolio and Memory Moments consists of my commercial and portrait work. Both are equally as important. Vista Views are quite literally the epitome of the subject matter, while Memory Moments have contributed to the relationships that have formed via traveling and living different places.
SYF: Having your work featured in art galleries, like in Big Bear, CA, must be exhilarating. How does it feel seeing your work displayed in such settings?
TD: It truly is exhilarating. It feels amazing! It has been a few years since my Big Bear gallery days and still my wife encourages me to find a new local gallery where we live now in Southern Utah. I’m sure there will be a time where I enter into the local gallery scene again. I believe pictures are meant to pull you in… and that is more challenging to accomplish in an Instagram post or digital screen.
SYF: As a yogi and a photographer, how do you feel these two paths intersect in your life and work?
TD: I was a photographer first, then I found yoga — and then I married the two into Yoga Photography with the help of some great mentors (ahem… Robert Sturman). The path of yoga allowed me to be more conscious with where I pointed my camera. Searching for the light became more than just a metaphor. As the Yogi within me grew stronger, so did my desire to capture people living their purpose. That has contributed to some pretty incredible international trips and experiences at festivals all around the globe!
SYF: Having photographed the Sedona Yoga Festival for several years, what are some of your most memorable moments or photographs from the festival?
TD: I will never forget my first SYF in 2018, and just being amazed by the intention and community. It felt like home. Now with each year that I return, I get to reconnect with new and old friends. It has become one of my absolute favorite annual pilgrimages.
SYF: In your opinion, what makes a great photograph, especially in the context of a vibrant event like SYF?
TD: In my opinion what makes a great photograph is being able to feel something when you look at it. In the sense of SYF, that could be the beautiful, warm, and welcoming landscape. Or a participant moved to tears from a transcendental meditation they just experienced. SYF provides so many beautiful moments to all who attend. That makes it so easy to capture the magic — if you are tuned into its frequency. ;)=
SYF: What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who wish to follow a path similar to yours?
TD: I would say to go for it! If picking up a camera and pointing it at ANYTHING makes time feel as though it stops… then photography is probably a path for you to consider. Don’t let experience, or equipment hold you back. Seek opportunities to work that Creativity muscle as often as possible. Live in that joy and be prepared for the miracles that will soon follow.
SYF: What future projects or dreams are you currently pursuing or hope to pursue?
TD: I am currently working to build a large online course database for practitioners of all styles. From Yoga to Acupuncture and even Detoxing, I have had the pleasure of working with over a dozen experts in their field. I have always found the quote “If I have seen further [than others], it is by standing on the shoulders of giants” by Newton both fascinating and inspiring.
We live in an age where we can learn and develop at increasingly rapid rates, and we can attempt to consume a career’s worth of knowledge in a rather short period of time. This realization left me feeling inspired to offer a platform for conscious entrepreneurs to share their skills. I call my platform Inspired Conscious Content. My current mission is to help colleagues discover new ways to put themselves out there!
SYF: Finally, is there a message or a thought you’d like to share with our readers and your future clients?
TD: To anyone reading that has NOT been to SYF so far, my first message is to tell you that you’re missing out by not going each and every year. The experience is similar to that of an intensive yoga retreat in some distant land. It will leave you feeling full and embodied! To anyone who would like to connect and hear more about photography, videography, or Inspired Conscious Content… Please reach out! I would love to chat and see if there is an opportunity to work together. See you all at SYF.
Join Ty and other luminaires at the 11th annual Sedona Yoga Festival, March 14–17. Passes available here!
Lead image, of course, by Ty Dobbs.
Mar 6, 2024 | Sedona Yoga
by Jill Robinson
Quantum physics, with its enigmatic principles and mind-bending discoveries, seems an unlikely path toward understanding our transformative potential as a practicing yogi. However, if we approach this path through the lens of David Bohm’s theory of the holomovement, we find that Yoga’s philosophy and quantum physics share an important core principle–interconnectedness.
The practice of Yoga seeks to harmonize the mind, body and spirit. Through techniques encompassing physical postures, breath control, meditation and spiritual philosophy, Yoga allows us to explore the depths of human consciousness and the interconnectedness of the individual within the Cosmos.
Both quantum physics and Yoga invite us to transcend the illusion of separation. This awareness infuses our practice of Yoga with a deeper resonance, inspiring us to embody the principles of unity within ourselves and expressed outwardly through social action for the greater good.
Weaving Together Practice with Purpose
As yogis, we each have the power to be a catalyst for change. When we are in flow within ourselves, we can better amplify the quality of our relationships and community participation. It’s why taking action rooted in love and compassion, finding harmony within and in our relationships, are all expressions of our yogic powers enhanced by the scientific understanding that we truly are connected. Our actions and vibrational qualities matter in how we are best able to transform ourselves and our communities.
Everyone’s wisdom and experience is needed in our collective efforts to transform the world. Fortunately, our personal practice allows us to tap into our unique gifts and purpose–all vital within the Holomovement.
Knowing that we each play a part in our evolutionary unfolding, we find a greater meaning in our practice and how it can be applied to every aspect of our lives. Within the Holomovement’s network of Holons, we can amplify this in action through collaboration and intention.
The holotropic attractor to the Holomovement’s Theory of Change is the ability to offer actionable purpose while simultaneously building community within this movement. The Holomovement is set into motion through self-organizing Holons, groups of three or more individuals engaging in community action within a framework of the Holomovement’s unifying principles.
This collaborative network of Holons is an expansive, creative ecosystem accelerating humanity’s highest potential. Within the Holomovement, each Holon has an opportunity to collaborate and co-create with fellow groups, creating an exponential wave of impact and a critical mass of positive action.
The Science and Spirit of Creating a Global Tipping Point
The key to creating this global transformative tipping point, and the Holomovement Theory of Change, is found in the equation for quantum physics E=hf. Taking a bit of creative freedom, founding steward of the Holomovement Emanuel Kuntzelman explains the potential found in this equation:
“’E’ symbolizes the energy generated from the impact of our decision to act; ‘h’ represents intention of compassionate action for the greater good; and ‘f’ stands for the frequency of our consciousness and spiritual connection that coheres in love and Oneness. This reveals how with enough action, informed by higher consciousness, we can create a world that works for all.”
Unlocking this transformative change lies within Planck’s constant (h), the input of action in E=hf. Whether we are conscious or unconscious of our actions, our energetic waves are already rippling outward with their effect. The Holomovement is an invitation for each of us to consciously become the h factor. As Yoga practitioners, this is a chance to align practice with purpose, and enjoy the experience of interconnectedness both on and off the mat.
Learn more about aligning your practice with social action during the Sedona Yoga Festival! Stewards of the Holomovement will be participating and sharing how our Yoga community can create holons to support personal and social transformation. Tickets available here.
