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.
“An amazing magical place with freshly made vegan food, spa with Tibetan medicine therapies, swimming pool, vast greenery, and mountain water. They invite the best teachers from around the world too!”
Tsu Ching Yu
“We had an absolutely wonderful stay at Menla. The grounds felt very sacred, there was a wonderful energy here. The staff went above and beyond to make our stay as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. 5 stars!!!!”
Luke Yates
“You know that thing when you think you soul might be finally crushed for good and the nameless, wordless, friendless dread of the city has sucked you dry? Well, this place has the cure. You can help with the grounds and garden, you can yoga and meditate, you can get the best massage in 48 states, you can eat the most delicious vegetarian cuisine, and my favorite, walk the trails and paths through bubbling brooks and over rushing waterfalls and regain your spirit and feel the beat of your heart in time to nature.”
Robbie S.
MENLA
