Freedom is cherished and defended by Americans and since in July we celebrate Independence Day, the most integral representation of our idea of freedom, I thought this would be a perfect time to mindfully reflect on what is freedom. Are we really free? Reaching for Freedom We speak of freedom of speech, freedom of expression as if it is a simple straight forward concept. But that is far from the truth. Those of you well versed in philosophy, history, and law know that there a

Yoli practicing mindful yoga The Secret to Taking your Yoga Practice to the Next Level By Yoli Grandjean Yoli completed her 200HR Teacher Training at Spira Power Yoga, she is also trained in Trauma Sensitive Yoga, she teaches every Sunday at 9:30 AM at Spira Power Yoga. When Yoli is not teaching yoga, she is busy promoting community health as a nurse manager and educator. You can find out more about Yoli and the rest of the amazing teachers at Spira Power Yoga here. When I st

Often living in America, it can feel that Freedom was an American invention, this is far from the truth. Swa (meaning one’s own in Sanskrit) raj (to rule over) has a dual meaning through history. Swaraj or Freedom was spoken of in the Indian Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita (we will read in Teacher Training) starting about 1000 B.C. One interpretation of Swaraj as strictly political; to rule over one’s land. But the second and much more discussed meaning is spiritual or psycholog