Lena Mihaltses Welcomes You

In the classic text “Yoga Sutras” by Maharishi Patanjali, he defines yoga as chitta vritti nirodhah. Chitta-vritti translates as modification of mind. Nirodhah translates like cessation, stilling, restriction.

Yoga is the cessation of the mind's modifications. According to M. Patanjali, when this is achieved, the yoga practitioner is established in his/her true nature. Otherwise he would be just caught in the cycle of life's cycle, like a squirrel in the running wheel. M. Patanjali gives a scientific method on how to bring a practitioner of yoga into this state. Seems simple enough, just stop thinking! But it turns out that it’s extremely difficult to do. 

My understanding of yoga has changed many times. When I was in my twenties I was mainly interested in the 3rd limb of yoga, Asana. I was practicing according to the book “Light on Yoga” by B.K.S. Iyengar and only performed asanas that I could do easily. I had no other guidance.

In my late thirties I started taking classes in New York’s yoga schools, and was very confused about Vinyasa style yoga, which was very different from the Hatha that I’ve read about and had self–taught myself from the books. Vinyasa classes were upbeat and sporty, with a lot of Chaturangas and quick transitions between the poses. But eventually I discovered a Hatha yoga instructor in my area and stayed in her classes for several years, visiting the Vinyasa classes sparingly. From this run I noticed a shift in life’s perspective and overall feeling of wellbeing.

Later in my life, I’ve developed an integrated practice where anything goes, as long as my body likes it and craves it. I am way in my fifties now, and learning to embrace other limbs of yoga as well, since all 8 of them, Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are important in achieving success in yoga.

In 2018 I participated in "Life of a Yogi Teacher Training" of Dharma Mitra's School of yoga to deepen my own practice.  

​

In 2021 I took another Teacher Training course in the yoga school East+West and became certified Yoga instructor.

Я родилась на Дальнем Востоке, в СССР. Живу в Нью-Йорке с 1991 года. Была профессиональной танцовщицей много лет. Открыла для себя йогу, когда мне было 25 лет, и некоторое время практиковала вслепую, по книгам. В Нью-Йорке начала посещать студии йоги и пробовать различные её направления. Больше всего мне подходила классическая, традиционная Хатха-йога. Стиль Виньяса поначалу показался слишком поспешным, но потом я к нему пристроилась и поняла его достоинства. Стиль Инь тоже не сразу завоевал сердце, но потом я поняла, какое значение имеет фасция, соединительная ткань, которая оплетает мышцы, и как позы Инь-йоги её растягивают. 

В своей личной практике я использую всё, что показалось полезным:  Виньясу — днём, Инь — вечером, Хатху — иногда, под настроение...

​