Changing one’s relationship to digital devices can help bring clarity, increase happiness, and reduce feelings of stress in one’s daily life. In this series we highlight individuals and digital resources from Menla’s extended community that can help anyone mindfully navigate our interconnected, digital world. This week we look at the bookshelf and yoga book recommendations of Nadiya Nottingham.
What is your definition of Yoga?
My personal understanding of Yoga is that it gives me the freedom to allow my personal practice to evolve with my human body and my universal spirit. In other words, my practice is dictated not by some rules carved in stone but by the natural evolution of my life.
What do you love about Yoga?
No matter how out of sorts my body and mind are on any given day, my practice brings me back into my personal source of light. On a practical level Yoga simply helps me move well and stand tall!
Why do you teach Yoga?
There was no other choice for me. Were it not for Yoga, I would have to go live in the forest. Yoga gives me the tools for living in this world and understanding that everything is temporary except the spirit. Sharing the gift of transformation, which I receive with my students, is an outstanding privilege.
Do you have a favorite book on Yoga?
My favorite books are Yoga for Wellness, by Gary Kraftsow, Yoga Anatomy, by Leslie Kaminoff, and Awakening the Spine, by Vanda Scaravelli. The latter has a very complex asana practice, which I do not necessarily advocate; her life views, however, are well rounded, personal, and independent.
This article is excepted from an Integral Institute of Yoga interview from 2018: www.iyiny.org.
“The food was fantastic, the pool was very relaxing, and the setting was spectacular! I suggest hiking the Metta Loop Trail when you are there. On the Menla property you will see lots of wildlife, such as deer, possums, and small bears that are harmless and used to our presence.”
Mills C.
“The program was extremely well-oiled, and I’m already thinking about attending next year’s event. Moreover, the lush campgrounds, spa services, friendly staff, and delicious vegetarian meals helped complete a well-rounded, inspirational experience. A thousand thank yous.”
Rochelle Livingston
“The experience I’ve had as a volunteer here at Menla has been a unique one. I had recently experienced the loss of a number of friends, and of my father, before coming up for a retreat, and then coming back as a volunteer. Not only was the work I did up in these gorgeous mountains an amazingly cathartic experience, but the support I received from the community that exists here was unlike anything I had previously experienced.”
Reina de Beer
MENLA
