The Art of Wholeness: The CYS Blog

A space where the art of living well meets the science of transformation.

Welcome to Circle Yoga Shala’s blog.

Here, we explore the interconnectedness of the physical, physiological, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of Being.

Our approach is rooted in timeless wisdom and informed by modern understanding, offering a holistic and elegant perspective on what it means to thrive.

From diverse movement to

contemplative philosophy, breathwork, and self-inquiry,

our blog invites you to cultivate

anti-fragility and harmony

on every level of your being.

Join us on this journey of discovery, integration, and growth! If you want to make sure you don’t miss new content, sign up for our newsletter.

The Three Yogas: A Path to Harmonious Development

The Three Yogas: A Path to Harmonious Development

Yoga is a path of integration, uniting mind, body, and heart. The three primary yogas—Jnana (knowledge), Karma (action), and Bhakti (devotion)—offer distinct yet complementary approaches to self-inquiry and transformation.

Jnana Yoga cultivates wisdom through deep discernment, Karma Yoga teaches selfless action, and Bhakti Yoga opens the heart through devotion. But Rather than separate paths, they are meant to be integrated.

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Sequencing According to Vinyasa Krama

Sequencing According to Vinyasa Krama

At Circle Yoga Shala, we honor the principle of Vinyasa Krama, a systematic approach to sequencing that unfolds practice in a special, gradual way. As described by T.K.V. Desikachar, it involves building from simple to complex while maintaining steadiness and ease. This arc of progression—preparation, goal, and conclusion—ensures each step lays the foundation for the next, allowing students to safely expand their capacity and deepen their practice.

Vinyasa Krama isn't just about sequencing toward a peak posture. It's a versatile framework that can be applied to breath work, dosha balancing, or broader life goals. By learning to construct sequences thoughtfully, teachers can offer practices that feel elegant, purposeful, and truly transformative.

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Simple Isn’t Easy

Simple Isn’t Easy

Here at Circle Yoga Shala, we often remind our students that simple isn’t easy. Nowhere is this more evident than in the principle of vinyasa krama—the intentional, step-by-step progression toward a goal, both on and off the mat. More than just sequencing poses for a peak posture, this method demands discernment: each step must be necessary, aligned, and built on a stable foundation.

Yet true simplicity is deceptively difficult. It requires stripping away distractions, refining choices, and resisting the urge to do more when less is enough.

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How to Align Breath with Movement

How to Align Breath with Movement

Here at Circle Yoga Shala, breath is more than a tool for mindfulness—it's an active partner in posture practice. By aligning specific breathing patterns with the demands of each pose, a technique called biomechanical matching, practitioners can enhance their practice with greater physical support, ease, and awareness.

Learn how inhaling during backbends and exhaling in forward folds can enhance and aid your yoga practice.

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Vary Your Movement Diet: A Holistic Approach to Wellness

Vary Your Movement Diet: A Holistic Approach to Wellness

Movement is as essential to your well-being as the food you eat, and relying on a "mono-diet" of sitting leaves your body, mind, and spirit undernourished. At Circle Yoga Shala, we emphasize the importance of diverse movement patterns—walking, running, crawling, climbing, and more—to strengthen your body, enhance mental clarity, and foster emotional regulation.

Our programs integrate 'nutritious' movement into every aspect of learning. When was the last time you climbed, crawled, or threw something for fun?

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What to Look for in a Yoga Teacher Training (Part 2)

What to Look for in a Yoga Teacher Training (Part 2)

Not all teacher training programs are created equal. Some follow a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach, treating every student and every body as though they’re the same. But yoga is an incredibly personal practice—one that meets you where you are.

Cookie-cutter programs often miss this nuance, leaving little room for your unique body, mind, or spirit to thrive. What’s the alternative?

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A 200Hr Grad Shares Her Experience
200hr Yoga Teacher Training Stela Balaban 200hr Yoga Teacher Training Stela Balaban

A 200Hr Grad Shares Her Experience

By Hannah Lasiter, RYT200

Before attending CYS, I considered myself one of many who didn’t possess the “yoga gene”. In the classes I participated in, I thought that teachers were supposed to ignore you and let you fend for yourself. Most of the time, I felt a sense of shame that I couldn’t successfully do revolving triangle. I thought that to be a good yoga student one had to spring from the womb doing down dogs. I thought it was just natural selection keeping me from viewing myself as a “good” student.

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A Transformative Journey: YTT at Its Finest
200hr Yoga Teacher Training Stela Balaban 200hr Yoga Teacher Training Stela Balaban

A Transformative Journey: YTT at Its Finest

By Alisyn Reid, RYT500, LCSW

The last time I came to Circle Yoga Shala, my life was in upheaval. It was the kind of upheaval that prompts you to impulsively buy an international plane ticket with a departure date in six weeks, and you only waited that long because you already made a commitment to live and study yoga for the next four weeks. It’s the kind of upheaval that interrupts your sleeping and eating; the kind that makes you avoid eye contact because if you let someone stare into your soul for too long, you think you might burst open.

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