Amy Ling

प्रकृति
prakṛti (the principle of matter in the sāṃkhya philosophical system)
Prakriti Definition
In Indian philosophy, particularly in the context of yoga, Vedanta, and Samkhya philosophies, prakriti is a fundamental concept that refers to the primal and unmanifested aspect of nature or the material world.
Prakriti is often contrasted with ‘purusha,’ which represents pure consciousness or the self.
Prakriti Deep Dive
Prakriti as Primal Material Energy
Prakriti is considered the source of all...

पूजा
pūjā (reverence, honor, worship)
Puja Definition
A puja is a Hindu ritual of worship and reverence to honor and connect with a deity, a sacred object, or a manifestation of the divine. Puja is a fundamental practice in Hinduism and is also observed in other Indian religions like Buddhism and Jainism.
Puja Deep Dive
During a puja, various rituals and offerings are performed to express devotion, seek blessings, and deepen one’s spiritual connection with the divine.
These rituals may includ...

अहंकार
Ahaṁkāra – Ahaṁ (I, or self) Kāra (maker, or doer)
Ahamkara Definition
The philosophical concept of ahamkara refers to the ego or the sense of individual self-identity. It is the aspect of the mind that creates a subjective and separate identity, leading individuals to perceive themselves as distinct from the interconnectedness of all existence.
Ahamkara influences perceptions, behaviors, and emotions, often giving rise to attachment, self-centeredness, and the illusion of permanence.
...

Amy came to yoga to seek respite and heal her body after suffering health issues as a young adult. Her love for the practice and passion for health and wellbeing soon became the forefront of her work and studies.
Her passion lies in the body, in its movement, its relationship to nature, to health, illness, and healing. Through her formal training in dance, fine art, yoga, nutrition, and health and healing modalities; Amy’s work compiles and embodies these disciplines to create bodies of work ...

अद्वैत
advaita (non-dualism)
Non-Duality Definition
Non-duality, often referred to as “advaita” in Sanskrit, is a philosophical concept that emphasizes the fundamental oneness and interconnectedness of all existence.
It challenges the conventional perception of separation and duality, asserting that beneath the surface differences, everything is interconnected and arises from a singular source.
Non-duality invites individuals to transcend the limitations of dualistic thinking and experience a...

How old is yoga?
We know that yoga is an ancient practice, however, its exact date and origins are difficult to pin down. It’s common to hear the tradition dated at 5000 years old, yet research has identified postural yoga as we know it to be more recent than perhaps we had once believed.
For a more precise answer, we may need to define exactly what we mean by ‘yoga’. What we now practice in class may be very different to what is described as yoga in early texts. Naturally, yoga has evolved o...

अग्निसार
Agni Sara – agni (fire) sara (essence, energy)
Agni Sara Definition
Agni sara involves controlled and repetitive contractions of the abdominal muscles to stimulate the inner fire or digestive energy (agni) in the lower belly.
In Hatha and Ashtanga yoga traditions, agni sara is commonly practiced to promote digestive health, improve core strength, and stimulate the manipura chakra, the energy center associated with personal power and transformation.
Agni Sara Deep Dive
In order to und...

नमस्कार
namas (bow) + kāra (action)
Namaskar Definition
Namaskar is the gesture of joining the palms of the hands together in front of the heart or forehead. It is an ancient way of showing reverence, humility, and gratitude.
In Indian tradition, it is considered a sacred gesture of respect, used when greeting elders, teachers, and spiritual figures.
The physical gesture is often accompanied by the use of the word “namaste“. The term “namaste” originates from Sanskrit and carries profound mea...

Yoga offers multiple benefits, including better muscle strength and tone, increased flexibility, and improved respiration (1). However, it may be counterproductive if you don’t schedule it properly alongside your workouts.
So, should you do yoga before or after workout sessions? Well, that depends on multiple factors. For example, if the workout relies more on strength than flexibility, then you would rather do it after the workout.
Here is an in-depth explanation on when to schedule yoga ses...

Your feet are your best friends: they have your back at all times, whether you’re walking, jumping, running, or maintaining balance, throughout your entire life. Caring for your feet should be as important as caring about other inner and outer parts of your body.
Sometimes, you may notice pain, tension, and tightness due to a lack of strengthening and stretching your feet. This will reflect on your range of motion while walking or doing other activities.
In this case, there comes a logical qu...

Breath is a fundamental aspect of yoga, acting as a bridge between the mind and body, unifying them into a harmonious whole. In traditional yoga practices, breathing is not just a physical process, but a means to facilitate energy flow.
Even in dynamic forms like Vinyasa yoga, also known as ‘flow yoga’, breathing holds a significant role. It connects each posture with the next, creating a seamless, dance-like sequence. Its focus is on the fluidity of movements, rather than holding poses for l...

Many articles, studies, and research gush about the potential yin yoga benefits. Yin yoga before and after results allure new practitioners into this serene session. You’ll find them trekking their way to yoga studios to immerse themselves in the relaxing poses.
There is no doubt yin yoga benefits exist and deserve to be explored. But the problem starts when people with certain health issues decide to enter yin yoga practice, as well as individuals who instead of gently getting into a pose, p...

At my first yoga lesson, I was baffled. Afterward, I decided to look for another exercise plan, as yoga didn’t seem to be my “thing.” God bless my friend who insisted I keep going for a month at least. It is normal to feel that you will end up being a laughing stock in these classes. The poses and their names aren’t something we are familiar with. However, persistence and hard work pay off.
At least, it did, in my case.
If you are new to yoga and a bit hesitant to enter a studio and roll out ...