In 2015, after handing over my physical studio in Wellington, New Zealand, I put the bulk of my teachings online. When I left Puerto Rico in 2005 I had created a DVD for students to continue their practice with me, so this was the digital version of the same. It was greatly expanded, though, since I had another 10 years of teaching to add in to the materials. We created a bespoke website for MYOGA Freedom Online Yoga School, and for years I did my best to promote it. But I am a far better teacher than I am a marketer.
In 2020, tired of trying to make money from things and wanting to support everyone during lockdowns with online practices, I posted all the modules on YouTube. All except Seasons. Seasons has been my signature style since 2010 when I systematized my teaching. I laid all my material out over the calendar year and created 7 sadhanas (spiritual practices) that focus on each of the chakras, or internal energy centres, as well as incorporating an awareness of the external weather patterns, the seasons of the year.
I had a sense that if we humans could find alignment within ourselves and with the world around us, our prodigious powers and energies could impact the wonky weather patterns. I still feel this. In fact, this way of engaging is what led to my motto and the title of this blog, Trust the Longer Journey.
If our lack of attentiveness and our downright abuse of the world around us has gotten us to the place we’re in, wouldn’t it follow that we could turn things around by directing love and care in all directions instead? As the saying goes, “I’d rather be optimistic and proven wrong than pessimistic and proven right,” so I continue to operate as though this is true.
All the practices I share with folks are what I myself utilize. Once again I am giving up on attempting some marketing scheme with Seasons. The best I can do is to make these materials available to only those who are paid subscribers here on Substack, as some incentive and reward to us both.
Accountability is so effective, so let’s use it. I feel accountable to provide you with value for your contributions to me via Substack. And when I share these practices over the coming months, I benefit by getting back on the mat and reviewing what I’m sharing. Each time I do, I am amazed at how full these practices are. Which is why I partitioned it out over the full year in the first place! Unlike the bespoke website that aligned you with your hemisphere and season, here on Substack I will simply alternate hemispheres each week. You can choose to do only the season you’re currently in, or you can alternate each week as well.
Each of the 4 seasons has two chakras—or energy centres—aligned with it, except for Autumn which only has 1, making 7 total MYOGA Seasons. Each MYOGA Season builds over 52 days with a roughly 30 minute video every two weeks that prepares the body for “tricky” poses that follow an asana theme—core strengthening, heart opening, neck-freeing in leg-balancing, flight-freeing in arm-balancing, forward-folding surrender, leg strengthening, and hip-opening. After the first 3 Rounds of a Season, the 4th Round is the wrap-up of all 3 together, running at about 90 minutes.
Because I consider vinyasa yoga to be advanced, the 45 minute Flows version is only delivered after the foundations have been set in Basics and Seasons. If we can do the simple things with grace and ease, then the complicated things are easier. Know yourself and support yourself.
If you are not feeling flush enough for $6/month, or you find you need to start with Basics, Restores or Sounds, those links are all currently freely available. Have at it! Again, accountability helps, so help yourSelf by setting a date with someone to practice together in person, even as you’re guided by me via video.
"The MYOGA seasonal practices are truly transformational. It doesn’t happen fast, but if you stick with it, over the years you’ll see incredible change in yourself. The first year my body was transformed by the challenge of practicing consistently – this came as improved strength, better posture, alignment, body awareness. The second year my mind got more of a work out and transformation – improved concentration, focus, and a sense of control over myself and my choices. And then in the third year, I felt those benefits as a transformation of spirit – this expresses itself as happiness and contentment, no more low-level anxiety. I started these practices when I was 50, and I can honestly say at 54 I feel stronger, younger, and more vibrant and vital than I’ve felt in my life!" - Sue Kerr