Aloha and Namaste!

Community Welcome New Members
#1

Just wanted to send a blessing of aloha to everyone and introduce myself. My name is Lisa Chaly (sha-lei) and I have been blossoming on the path of Yoga for about 16 years (beginning when I was 16)… I have a deep appreciation for the healing benefits that Yoga has brought into my life and consider it to be a life transforming practice, inside and out. I have been a certified Yoga teacher since 2002, and mostly teach privately, but recently I began teaching at the BJ Penn Studio (best known for MMA & UFC training) on the Big Island of Hawaii. In truth, I will always be learning, ever awakening into my highest awareness…the journey into self mastery is remarkable and humbling all at once. I deeply enjoy sharing the path of Yoga with others and recognize the powerful potential of this profound practice.

I am currently blogging about my daily contemplations regarding the 64 Days of Non-Violence movement. Ever heard of it? http://www.64-days.org

I would love to be your friend and hear your thoughts, so please feel free to contact me, friend me here, follow me on twitter, become a facebook friend, and all that good stuff!

Look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings to all…

Namaste,

Lisa Chaly

http://www.lisalovesyoga.com

#2

Lisa,

Would you consider pugilism violence? Is warrior a violent pose?

#3

Hey hey hey, it’s awesome having you here Lisa!

64 days of non-violence. Interesting! Is that towards self, others, and, or?

As i’m currently embracing my primal self in a way that many practitioners of yoga might think is violent, ahimsa is certainly something I’ve been pondering lately :slight_smile:

Since you opened yourself up for questions and speak of ahimsa, what’s your thought on MMA and UFC? :slight_smile:

Anyway, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying your thoughtful posts here! See you around :slight_smile:

#4

[B][I]Aries:[/I][/B] My honest feeling about pugilism is that it is a violent activity…and, no, I do not believe warrior pose is violent for the reason of it being a pose of inward strength of focused mind, body, and spirit…journey of the peaceful warrior…a warrior is someone who “fights” for their truth…Arjuna on the battle field must fight many demons… reflecting the common struggle between the mundane existence of the ordinary mind and the unification of soul-self with the Universal mind…the goal of Yoga.

[I][B]David:[/B][/I] funny you should ask… I struggled with this issue for quite a while, and finally came up with a compassionate response towards my feelings…I actually wrote about this very issue in one of my blog posts Yoga for MMA Fighters?

The 64-days of Non-Violence movement is based on the principles of Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr…this is the 13th year they have done this global event. I’ve been writing on my blog about the different themes everyday…the basic idea is that peace begins within and echoes out into the world…so, first non-violence towards self, then onward.

MMA & UFC are blood sports and violence is the name of the game, but really it’s about the discipline and self-control…I, however, would not choose that path as my career choice, especially because it is so violent towards self and others…but if I can bring a little more peace into the lives of these fighters, perhaps I am opening them to another world of possibilities they made not otherwise have known. I do not condone fighting… I only aim to promote peacefulness, relaxation, and mindfulness in my classes and into the world… how they choose to live their lives is part of their own sacred journey…I am just the humble messenger…living my truth and leading by example. I practice non-violence and wish to inspire others to do the same.

Thank you, too…I am definitely enjoying this forum…this is actually my first time ever using a forum and I’m appreciating the interaction and opportunities to grow and reflect.
Oh, yes…and I do hope to meet you one of these days and check out your land project, sounds like a great work in progress!

: )

#5

Thank you for sharing your opinions and feelings Lisa. I read the blog post you linked and must say that you’re a very good writer :slight_smile: I can feel the depth to which you’ve taken the question of teaching fighters.

Allow me to share a little insight from the other side as well. While I was not a fighter, earlier in my life I was a professional athlete taking part in a sport that was extremely violent for me on various levels. By the time I medically retired, my body was wracked with pain. If it wasn’t for yoga, I don’t know that I would be here today.

Are these fighters practicing ahimsa? Maybe, maybe not. But by planting the seed of yoga in their hearts, you may very well be doing so much more for them than you could ever know. God knows my first teacher did. Keep up the amazing work :slight_smile:

#6

Thank you for your very inspiring words and sharing your own personal story… : ) As I was reading your story, I began to conjure up images of the IronMan tri-atheletes going to great lengths to reach their goals, sometimes even compromising their health…for many, it is an empowering test of will, for some it is an ego driven exercise…for others, it ends with painful broken toes, blisters, bone fractures, exhaustion, emaciation, and even heart complications… in my opinion, pushing the body to brutal extremes can be considered violent on many different levels.

Personally, I choose to find the balance in everything…and focus on activities that promote peacefulness and non-violence towards self and others. I enjoy being fit, but not to the level of self-damage…even when I teach, I never push, only encourage…feel it, go with it, grow with it, relax…and listen. I am so thankful to be growing on the path of Yoga, too…it has been, and continues to be, a remarkable journey for me…and for many others as well.

If I can help to plant those seeds in any way, it is my honor to be of such service…and I am ever grateful to be sharing the gift. : )

#7

Hi Lisa,

What a nice introduction you gave. Welcome.
I was delighted to see you began your journey
at 16–me too! Tho I have a few more years
(okay…decades) under my belt than you…
as we yoginis say…you’re only as old as your spine.:wink:

Your post was lovely and you sound very wise…way
beyond your years. This is one of the great aspects to
these forums…discovering beautiful yogins around the
world. Thanks for sharing.

Best with Blessings,
Nancy

#8

Welcome Lisa.

Thank you for the introduction.

gordon

#9

Thank you, Nancy!
I appreciate your kinds words and I love that saying, “You’re only as old as your spine!” In that case, I am even more grateful for the continued flexibility in my whole body, especially my spine through the practice of Yoga! It is my goal…and I believe it is possible, to still be doing the splits and backbends at 80, 90…120? ; ) of course, it’s the journey, not the destination! Guess we could say starting young gave us a running start…

I am so thankful to be a part of this forum, too…it is encouraging and inspiring…as well as thought provoking. Thanks everyone for saying hello, for being here and for being you!

Blessed be…

Lisa

#10

Lisa,

That is an inspiring article on MMA and Yoga. I’m new to Yoga and this forum. I’m an aspiring martial artist and have found parallels in Yoga. What types of poses do MMA fighters find challenging?

Thomas

#11

Aloha, Thomas! Thanks for your compliment and question. It’s amazing, some of these very strong men find even the most simple poses challenging…they have the muscle mass, but they need more flexibility… the few that have joined so far loved it and found it both relaxing and invigorating. I’d really love for more of them to join…guess it takes time to catch on!!!

I’m planning to add a video portion to my blog asap…perhaps you’d like to stay tuned… : )

#12

Lisa, do you find that the fighters are stuck in “fight or flight” or does fighting actually let them exit it and they’re operating more from the parasympathetic nervous system?