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Posts by Julio Munhoz:

Yoga is more than just body postures

Yoga is more than just body postures

Text by Julio Munhoz

When people think about yoga, a few well-known postures (asanas) immediately come to mind. They think on the positive benefits of stretching the body, and also associate such postures to some notion of meditation.

Well, actually yoga is way more than only postures and meditation. It is a complete philosophical system, having the human being in its core. It invites us to look inside of ourselves for wisdom and understanding, and at the same time indicates that the external world is a balanced creation.

In its teachings, yoga constantly reminds us that inner peace depends only on the person, and not on external factors.

Therefore, the ‘asanas’ are only a portion of the yoga philosophy. The physical postures are important, and become integral when combined with meditation, coherence in our daily actions, desire to develop compassion and understanding, and determination to be happy.

Happiness is central to yoga, as the philosophy assumes that we are destined to be happy beings, and therefore do not need to suffer to make progresses as individuals.

We from Respirart would like to see all of you practicing yoga and meditation, no matter if with us or with other capable instructors. And when you do decide to start, persist on it, as only time brings true wisdom, enlightenment and good health.

Stay in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) like a penguin!

Stay in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) like a penguin!

Taking time to contemplate nature is fascinating… There is so much to learn from Mother Nature by just observing its subtle details!

The other day, when visiting the Calgary zoo, penguins called my attention for their standing posture … and that’s when I thought to myself: what a perfect Tadasana!

If you are not yet familiar with yoga, ‘Mountain Pose’ (‘Tadasana’ in Sanskrit) is a foundational yoga pose for all standing poses and inversions. It teaches us how to stand up with the same firmness and serenity of a mountain.

How we distribute our body weight on our feet is key to the overall body posture and balance. Tadasana strengthens and tones the entire body and keeps the mind alert, helping to increase balance.

Keeping your body active and aligned is not that easy, though. Be aware of your entire body, and don’t forget to pay attention to the way you breathe!

Next time you visit the zoo, learn to stay in ‘Tadasana’ by just observing the lovely penguins!

 

Wake-up in a rainbow – A Cor Dar

Wake-up in a rainbow – A Cor Dar

Text by Julio Munhoz, introducing the A COR DAR Album

Wake-up in a rainbow – A Cor Dar: the fire of music flowing through colours, dance and peace!

To wake-up in a rainbow is to be aware of worldly things and be open to subtle essences, connecting dreams to the movement of the oceans constantly reaching continents and shining stars.

Nearby echoes a strong voice entrenched in words, chanting ideas and love, weaving places and time with the present moment. This deep echo gathers people, resonates travels and colours, and navigates routes as beautifully as the wind and sail dance together.

Then the soft wave, which originated afar in the water where the boat crosses the rainbow, touches the rocks and awakes all its surroundings.

The synergy of our lives reverberate on the boat bow and tunes the fibres of our hearts, shaking passionate chords and melodies as one walks on the beach at night under rhythmic thunder lights.

As dark as it gets on a summer night, the happy dancing feet loosely strike drums while stepping on warm sands, curious childlike feet avid to get into the unknown…

A Cor Dar also means to share all the colours, in the same way as we sincerely share our notes and pulses with you all.

In our humble forest of sounds, we invite you to observe stars constantly changing in the skies. After you enjoy comets and bright planets, let your imagination roll through plants and its beautiful flowers counterbalanced with roots of all sizes and shapes underneath the rich soil of our unique planet Earth.

Singing colours and vivid flowers: within our imaginary forest, our tribes live in harmony launching arrows charged with love, planting trust and spreading smiles in all directions.

Ideas, many breathings and hope: music is in the air!