At Ignatian Yoga, foundational questions are: How can bringing Ignatian Spirituality and Yoga into conversation deepen and nuance our understanding of the spiritual journey? What can we learn about the spiritual life when we look at these two traditions side by side — from both the similarities, and the differences? This requires a stance of curiosity and ongoing refinement.
Join us here for monthly reflections from members of our community as they dive deeper into their lived experience of Ignatian Yoga.
Welcome to the conversation!
On February 19, 2019, Fr. Arturo Sosa, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, released the order’s Universal Apostolic Preferences. These four preferences are intended to animate Ignatian initiatives for the next ten years. As a movement which emerges from the convergence of Ignatian spirituality and Yoga philosophy, Ignatian Yoga is significantly stimulated by…
As someone who is in love with love, I am passionate about both yoga and Ignatian spirituality. Who would have thought that combining these great loves of mine: practice of yoga and Ignatian Spirituality would be such a natural fit and such a big hit on a college campus?
Happy Easter! Review of the Past Week: We started this week by offering two additional forms of contemplative prayer from the Christian tradition. These continue to relate to the fifth, sixth, and seventh limbs of yoga, which we introduced last week. They are are pratyhara, dharana, and dyhana (withdrawal of senses, concentration, and meditation). As we…
Review of the Past Week: During the past week, we explored the fifth, sixth, and seventh limbs of ashtanga yoga, which are pratyhara, dharana, dyhana (withdrawal of senses, concentration, meditation). These limbs invite us to move from the outer self to the inner self. By practicing these limbs, we increase our capacity to focus our awareness and deepen our…
Review of the past week: Last week we explored the 4th limb of yoga – pranayama. Yoga Sutra 2.49 describes pranayama as “the conscious, deliberate regulation of the breath replacing unconscious patterns of breathing.” (translation and interpretation by TKV Desikachar). The physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of pranayama breathing practices are many, and include: increasing the…
Review of the past week: Last week we offered illustrations to connect yoga asana (the Sanskrit word for seat or posture) with components of Ignatian spirituality. Practicing yoga asana invites use into greater awareness and aliveness in our bodies, especially when we consciously seek the middle point between effort and ease. Outside of yoga asana practice, tuning into our bodies in…
Review of the past week: Over the past couple weeks Ignatian Yoga has put out daily intentions relating Lent with the yamas and niyamas – the restraints and observances that lay a moral groundwork for the rest of the 8 limbs. Which of the yamas and niyamas speak most to you? Which are most challenging? How can you adapt them to your…
Review of the past week: During the past week, we posted an illustration of each of the five yamas, the first limb of the 8 limbs of yoga. The yamas are the five ethical practices for relating to others. They call for kindness, truthfulness, generosity, sexual responsibility, and freedom from material things. The yamas and this time of Lent is…
Review of the past week: During the first four days of Lent, we shared Yoga Sutra I.1 and I.2. These first two sutras begin the spiritual journey and define the goal of yoga — the restraint of movements in the mind. In our fast-paced, high tech society our minds face constant stimulation and are pulled in many directions. Therefore, we…